Preparing Botanicals

Preparation of botanicals before aquarium use

Botanicals are dried leaves, bark, pods and wood that give an aquarium a natural look and release tannins into the water. A little preparation helps them sink, clears off surface dirt and makes them safer for sensitive animals. This guide covers what our blog posts recommend for each type.

The short version (aquatic)

Sort your botanicals by size and quality.
Rinse them briefly with tap water (60 seconds).
Boil, or soak for 15-60 minutes and scrub/scrape residual fruit, or initial biofilm, depending on the type (table below).
Add periodically to the aquarium once boiled, or once soaked and waterlogged.

The short version (terrestrial)

Sort your botanicals by size and quality.
Rinse them with tap water, or dechlorinated water if this is the only step you plan to do.
Boil for 10 minutes to sterilize, or soak in boiling kettle water.
Add all at once or periodically to the bioactive terrarium once sterilized.

Note that for invertebrates - take caution with barks and natural insecticidal properties of plant life. Extra boiling is necessary with Cassia cinnamon and mango (for example).

Quick guide by type

Step by step

1. Sort and rinse

Sort what you have by size and quality. Rinse leaves and other materials with tap water. Preliminary gentle scrubbing of any visible dirt or associated softer materials, removal of seeds, etc. Some layers may soften after boiling and can be removed later.

2. Boil or soak (to sterilize and waterlog)

Boil leaves, cones, and softer pods for up to 15 minutes. Use a stovetop for boiling or hot kettle water to soak.
Boil bark, branches and woody pods for 30 minutes, or longer.
Alternatively, soak and scrub heavier items over a few days. This removes excess organic material and initial biofilm, and lets items become fully waterlogged before use. This method may reduce initial tannin release in the aquarium.

We disclose when our botanicals are processed in house and have included a boiling or dehydration sterilization step so they are immediately ready for sensitive fish and invertebrates. However, we still recommend rinsing or briefly boiling dried natural materials before adding them. Boiling for 10 minutes sanitizes the material and helps it sink quickly.

3. Keep the tea

Save the "tannin tea water" from boiling. You can simmer it down to concentrate it into a "tannin extract".

4. Add to the tank

Add 2 to 3 leaves (or seed pods) per 10 gallons for the tannin level or leaf litter look you want.
For leaf litter, we suggest 1 to 3 leaves per 10 gallons, added every two weeks to build up layers, replacing as needed.
Add larger pods and driftwood after boiling, or after soaking and scrubbing.
Replace a botanical when it has decomposed.
Do not add too many leaves at once. Too many can raise oxygen demand and put your fish and shrimp at risk.
If you are adding to an aquarium without animals, additional leaves and pods can be added, but please test your water before adding animals.

If you want less tea colour

Some hobbyists dislike the tea tint. You can pre-soak botanicals to release tannins before they go in. Seachem Purigen or activated carbon will remove the tint while the botanicals keep their other benefits.

If you want more tea colour

Welcome to the dark-side. You can add small, higher concentration sources of tannins, such as black alder cones. Or use Catappa Tea Bags, or bagged peat moss in the filter, which provide the ability to dose additional tannins.

Shrimp and sensitive animals

Cinnamon bark must be boiled 30 to 60 minutes before use. Ceylon cinnamon has less coumarin and is considered safer for invertebrates than Cassia.
Guava leaf is a low tannin leaf, but it has anti-viral properties that are practical for invertebrates, including Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp.
Add leaves gradually, not all at once.

What to expect after adding

A cottony, fungus-like biofilm can appear on new wood and leaves within a week or two. It is harmless, can be wiped or brushed off, and fades with time. Some scavengers like snails, Ancistrus spp., Otocinclus catfish will eat it.
Some driftwood floats. Waterlog it, or glue it to rockwork before filling the tank.
Cork bark floats.
Excitement from fish and invertebrates. You'll observe curiosity and interest in the new enrichment.
The long term benefits are often associated with breeding behaviours and offspring survival.

Collecting your own

Only collect leaves and plant material if you can identify the plant and it is guaranteed pesticide-free. Privately collected driftwood should be cleaned, washed and oven-baked /dehydrated to dry and sterilize.

Dehydrating time is variable based on the item and method. Placed on an oven sheet in the oven, with the door ajar, at 200°F for 1-5 hours.
In a kitchen food dehydrator at 135-200°F for 1-5 hours.

Storage

Ensure botanicals are dry for storage in a sealed container.
We recommend a cool, dark place to prevent natural decomposition while packaged.
Silicon desiccant packets are recommended for long-term storage; included in all EPP'nFLOW Aquariums products.