Discover Botanicals

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Discover the Benefits of Leaf Litter & Seed Pods in Your Natural Aquarium

When it comes to building a thriving natural aquarium, few tools are as simple and powerful as leaf litter and seed pods. These natural materials do far more than just make your tank look beautiful — they help replicate the complex, organic environments that aquatic life has evolved to thrive in.

At Phillips Fish Works, we use a variety of leaves and seedpods including cottonwood, maple, oaks, sweetgum seedpods and more to support healthy ecosystems in our aquariums.

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Why Use Leaf Litter?

1. Natural Food Source
As leaves break down, they support the growth of biofilm, fungi, and microorganisms — all vital food sources for shrimp, scuds, snails, fry, and other microfauna.

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2. Shelter and Breeding Grounds
Leaf litter provides essential cover and structure. Aquatic invertebrates use it to hide from predators, forage for food, and lay eggs.

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3. Water Conditioning
Leaves naturally release tannins and humic acids, which help:

• Lower pH (softens water)

• Inhibit harmful bacteria and fungi

• Mimic blackwater environments found in streams and ponds

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4. Encourages Natural Behavior
Fish, shrimp, scuds, isopods, snails and other tank inhabitants exhibit more natural behaviors when surrounded by botanicals. Foraging, hiding, and scavenging all increase, which reduces stress and boosts health.

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Why Include Seed Pods?

Seed pods like sweetgum add a unique aesthetic and functional value:

• Long-lasting structure: Unlike leaves, seed pods break down slowly and hold their shape for months.

• Surface area for biofilm: Their texture provides ideal surfaces for beneficial microbial growth.

• Visual interest: They create a natural, forest-floor look that adds depth and realism to aquascapes

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Our Botanical Blend

At Phillips Fish Works, we carefully select and prepare our botanical materials. Our mix of cottonwood, maple, variety of oaks, sweetgum sweetgum seedpods and more offers:​

• Diverse textures and shapes for microfauna habitats

• Safe, pesticide-free materials prepared for aquarium use

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Simple to Add, Big Impact

To use leaf litter or seed pods:

• Living leaf and seedpod cultures (Bag of Bugs, Leafy Bugs, Scud Balls, etc...) are "wet" and placed directly in tank or culture container.

• Dry leaves and seedpods, purchased or wild collected can be rinsed and soaked (or boiled briefly) to remove surface debris and help them sink.

• Dry leaves and seedpods can be added to tank directly without soaking or boiling if maximum tannin release in your tank is wanted. it may take a day or two for botanicals to sink to the bottom.

• Soaking or boiling leaves for longer periods of time will help release more tannins before they go into your tank, resulting in less dark water. Water changes will lighten up water color if your added leaf litter have made your water too dark for your liking.

• Add botanicals slowly and in small amounts to avoid sudden changes in water chemistry. It is possible to use too many, especially in smaller setups like jars, where even a small shift can have a big impact.

• Replace leaves as they break down — pods can last for months.

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Final Thoughts

The benefit of having many different types of leaves and/or seedpods is they release different tannin compounds which are believed to be beneficial to your aquarium ecosystem in general. A variety of leaf litter species will help "fill the gaps" in missing micronutrients when eaten by animals. The different leaves will decompose at different rates helping to provide a steady food source for the ecosystems base microfauna and other creatures.

 

Adding leaf litter and seed pods isn't just about aesthetics — it's about creating balance. These natural materials support your aquarium's biology, give your aquatic life a richer environment, and help your setup thrive the way nature intended.

Explore our selection of botanicals and bring your natural tank to life — the natural way.

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More to come! Thank you for your support!