Botanical Preparation Instructions

Before You Begin

Before they enter any aquarium, vivarium, or paludarium, botanicals need to move through a brief preparation process. This removes surface debris and reduces the initial concentration of soluble sugars, and brings the material into a state that an established aquarium can process.

Products that require preparation will be labeled accordingly. If a product does not carry a preparation note, a brief rinse is still a reasonable practice.

Start Slow

Botanicals contribute to the biological load of an aquarium. They support microbial and fungal colonization, which increases over time as the material breaks down.

A safe starting point is 2–3 pieces per 5 gallons of water volume, added no more than once per week and between water exchanges. This pacing allows biological populations to adjust.

Preparation Steps

Step 1 — Rinse

Rinse the botanicals under hot tap water for approximately 60 seconds. This dislodges surface dust and loose particulate accumulated during drying, handling, or shipping. Nothing at this stage presents a biological risk, but there is no reason to introduce it into the aquarium.

Step 2 — Boil

Transfer the botanicals into a pot of fresh tap water and bring to a full boil. Hold at a rolling boil for 5 minutes. This opens the outer cell layers of the material, releasing a portion of soluble sugars and surface tannins into the water that would overwhelm the aquarium's bioload.

Step 3 — Drain and Discard

Remove the botanicals and discard this first batch of water. The liquid from this step contains the fraction of tannins and sugars most likely to cause rapid chemistry shifts or feed an oversized bacterial bloom.

The tannin content released in this step represents roughly 5% of the total available in the material. The remaining 95% leaches gradually over weeks and months inside the aquarium.

Step 4 — Soak in Dechlorinated Water

Place the drained botanicals into a clean container filled with dechlorinated water. Soak until the material is fully waterlogged, typically 12–24 hours depending on size and density.

The water produced during this soak is safe to add to the aquarium directly. It contains tannins and humic compounds that soften water chemistry incrementally. Stored in a sealed container, this liquid can also be added to the tank over time to gradually restore tint as tannins are consumed by the system.

Step 5 — Introduce Gradually

Add waterlogged botanicals at a rate of 2–3 pieces per 5 gallons, once per week. In aquariums housing shrimp or sensitive species, start at the lower end and monitor behavior closely during the first week of each addition.

What to Expect After Introduction

White Haze

A white cloudy haze in the water column is a bacterial bloom triggered by the introduction of organic material. This is a normal part of ecosystem establishment and typically clears within a few days. If fish appear stressed, add an airstone to increase surface agitation and check that the filter media is not becoming clogged.

Biofilm

White or gel-like films on the surface of botanicals are biofilm, a matrix of polysaccharides produced by bacteria and fungi as the material begins to break down. This is expected in a maturing system and will subside as the microbial community stabilizes. Many invertebrates and small fish graze on biofilm directly.

Surface Film

A thin iridescent film at the water surface is a surface biofilm, not actual oil. It indicates active microbial colonization. If it spreads across the entire water surface, it can reduce oxygen exchange. An airstone positioned to break surface tension is sufficient to manage it.

Oxygen Levels and Shrimp

The bacterial activity following a botanical addition can temporarily reduce dissolved oxygen, particularly in densely stocked aquariums. Shrimp keepers should monitor behavior after each addition. Surface agitation is the most practical way to support oxygen levels during this adjustment window.

Questions?

If you experience an unexpected reaction after following these steps, contact Nu Aqua with photos or video and we'll help work through it.

Preparation guidelines developed by Betta Botanicals for authorized retail partners.