{"title":"Botanicals \u0026 Leaves","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"indian-almond-leaves","title":"Indian Almond Leaves","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndian almond leaves, also called catappa leaves, are the dried leaves of the tropical almond tree. Underwater they release tannins, natural plant compounds that tint the water a light tea colour and gently lower pH, the measure of how acidic the water is. As the leaf softens it grows biofilm, the thin layer of microbes that shrimp graze on, so a decomposing leaf is both a grazing surface and a food source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrows biofilm that shrimp and fry graze on\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGently lowers pH and softly tints the water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGives shrimp a leaf to shelter under\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUsage \u0026amp; Instructions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with one leaf per 20 to 40 litres and add more if you want a stronger tint. Rinse and drop it in; it floats for a day or two and then sinks, or briefly soak it first. Replace once the leaf is mostly skeleton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRisk \u0026amp; Awareness\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd leaves gradually. A large amount at once can drop pH quickly, and in water with very low KH (carbonate hardness, the buffer against pH swings) the drop can be sudden. Tannins stain water and can stain silicone over time. Use only leaves sold for aquariums so there is no pesticide residue.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shrimp Zone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52845950042424,"sku":"PLACEHOLDER-indian-almond-leaves","price":11.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"alder-cones","title":"Alder Cones","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlder cones are the small, woody seed cones of the alder tree. They are used in the same way as catappa leaves: they release tannins, natural plant compounds that tint the water and gently lower pH, and as they soften they grow biofilm, the microbe layer that shrimp graze on. Being small and dense they are easy to dose a few at a time, and they keep releasing tannins for around a month before they are spent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy to dose precisely, cone by cone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelease tannins for around a month per cone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall enough for nano tanks and breeder boxes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUsage \u0026amp; Instructions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with about one cone per 20 litres and adjust from there once you see the tint. Rinse first. Cones float for a few days, so soak them in a cup of tank water until they sink or wedge them under hardscape. Replace spent cones or leave them for shrimp to pick apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRisk \u0026amp; Awareness\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlder cones are more concentrated than leaves, so add them gradually and check pH, particularly in soft water with low KH where pH can move quickly. The tint can go from yellow to dark brown if many are used. Only use cones sold for aquarium use so there is no pesticide or road-side contamination.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shrimp Zone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52845950075192,"sku":"PLACEHOLDER-alder-cones","price":11.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"cholla-wood","title":"Cholla Wood","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCholla wood is the dried, hollow skeleton of a cholla cactus. It is riddled with holes along its length, and those holes are the point: the inner surfaces grow biofilm, the microbe layer shrimp graze on, and the tubes give small or freshly moulted shrimp somewhere to hide. It releases mild tannins, natural compounds that give a slight yellow tint, and slowly breaks down over months to years depending on size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHollow tubes shelter shrimplets and freshly moulted shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge internal surface grows biofilm for grazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoftens over time and is eventually eaten away by shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUsage \u0026amp; Instructions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse, then soak in a bucket until it sinks, which usually takes a few days. Boiling for a few minutes speeds this up and cleans the wood, though it also speeds decay. Place it where shrimp can reach the ends of the tubes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRisk \u0026amp; Awareness\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew wood grows a white fungal or bacterial film in the first weeks. It is harmless and shrimp and snails eat it, but it can look alarming. Cholla adds a light tint and, as it breaks down, some organic load, so do not overload a small tank with it. Do not collect from live cacti, and use only fully dried, aquarium-sold pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shrimp Zone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52845950107960,"sku":"PLACEHOLDER-cholla-wood","price":11.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/shrimpzone.com.au\/collections\/botanicals.oembed","provider":"Shrimp Zone ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}