NEW: With every purchase, you can receive my Blackwater & Botanical Aquarium Guide completely free of charge.
Just send me a message after purchase with the email address where you would like your eBook sent.
Available in: English (UK/US) • Français • Español • Deutsch • Български • 日本語
As an extra bonus, I also offer custom aquascape ideas for your aquarium.
Simply send me a photo of your tank, along with photos of the driftwood, stones, plants, and Blackwater botanical pods, seeds, or leaves you would like to include, and I will help you create a beautiful layout idea designed to catch the eye and enhance your aquarium naturally.
Alder Cones – 100 pcs
Aquarium Botanicals for Shrimp, Nano Tanks & Gentle Blackwater Setups
Soft, natural tannins for shrimp and nano tanks.
You will receive 100 dried Alder Cones for use in freshwater aquariums. These cones are perfect for shrimp breeders and anyone who likes a gentle natural blackwater look.
Alder cones are one of the most popular small botanicals used in shrimp tanks, nano aquariums, blackwater layouts and natural-style freshwater setups. They are easy to dose gradually, take up very little space and help create a warm tea-coloured tint when used in suitable water conditions.
What you receive
- 100 × Dried Alder Cones
- Packed dry, small batch and labelled by Blackwater Botanical Aquariums
These are natural products. Cone size, colour, shape and texture will vary.
Benefits
- Release natural tannins and humic substances for a gentle blackwater effect.
- Can help create a warm tea-coloured tint in the aquarium.
- Provide biofilm surfaces and micro-hiding spots for shrimp and fry.
- Help recreate natural stream, forest pool and leaf-litter conditions.
- Useful as fine-detail botanicals in shrimp tanks, nano tanks and blackwater-style layouts.
- Popular with keepers of Caridina, Neocaridina, bettas, rasboras, tetras and other soft-water species.
Why alder cones are popular
1) Easy tannin control
Alder cones allow you to build colour gradually. You can start with a small amount and add more over several days if you want a darker tint.
2) Shrimp-friendly grazing surfaces
As the cones age in the aquarium, they can develop biofilm and fine organic surfaces that shrimp and snails naturally graze on.
3) Natural micro-habitats
Their small size and texture make them useful in shrimp tanks, fry tanks and detailed natural aquascapes.
4) Great for blackwater presentation
Alder cones are a simple way to add botanical detail and a natural forest-floor look without using large leaves or pods.
5) Water chemistry depends on your setup
In very soft water, tannins may have a stronger visible effect. In harder tap water with higher KH, pH change is usually much smaller because the water resists change.
How to use
- Rinse briefly under running water before use.
- Start with around 1 cone per 15–20 L of water.
- Add more gradually if you want darker water or stronger tannin colour.
- Replace or top up every 4–6 weeks as the cones soften and break down.
- Use gradually in nano tanks or very soft / low-KH water.
Tip: In harder water with higher KH, alder cones usually give more of the natural look, colour and grazing benefits, with less noticeable pH change. In very soft water, go slowly and monitor your parameters.
Great for
- Caridina shrimp
- Neocaridina shrimp
- Small tetras
- Rasboras
- Bettas
- Fry and juvenile fish tanks
- Blackwater, botanical and natural-style aquariums
Notes
- 100% natural product – cone size, colour and shape will vary.
- Botanicals may release tannins and soften the visual tone of the water.
- Effects vary depending on tank size, KH, pH, filtration and how many cones are used.
- Botanicals are natural habitat and enrichment tools, not medicines.
- Not for human consumption.
We use these botanicals in our own tanks.
Customer Care & Support
Questions? Message me anytime – I’ve been in aquatics for 30+ years and I actually use these botanicals in my own tanks.
We’re a small specialist brand and we stand behind what we sell. If anything arrives damaged, missing, or not as expected, please contact us via eBay first.
In most cases we can resolve issues quickly, and that will help you far more than leaving neutral or negative feedback. We usually reply within 24 hours and we’ll do our best to make it right, quickly and fairly.
If you’re happy with your order, feedback is always appreciated — it helps our small independent brand grow. Thank you.
— Dany | Blackwater Botanical Aquariums
Delivery
Orders placed before 9am Monday to Friday are dispatched the same working day. Orders placed after 9am are dispatched the next working day.
Postage: Royal Mail 2nd Class.
Thanks for looking — please check my other listings for botanicals, cones, pods and grazing foods.