Lotus pods

Description

Lotus pods are the seed heads of the Sacred Lotus or Indian Lotus flower (Nelumbo nucifera). The lotus has a very wide native distribution ranging from India, South Asia, East Asia and Australia.
Lotus plants grow in the floodplains of slow-flowing rivers and delta areas. The roots settle in the bottom of the pond or river, in water up to 2.5 meters deep.
The leaves, which can grow to more than 60 cm in diameter, float on the surface of the water. The flowers are usually on thick stems that protrude a few centimeters above the leaves.
The flowers, seeds, roots and young leaves are considered edible and the dried seed pods and the dried seed pods are also often used for home decoration. These seed pods are a by-product of human food production.

The seed pods have many small holes where shrimp and small juvenile catfish can hide and find food.

 

How do I use the pods?

Lotus pods are possible to use in an aquarium, terrarium, vivarium, etc.
While you can simply rinse your seed pods before using them, we still recommend sterilizing them before using them in an aquarium or terrarium.

Aquarium: It is possible to just put the pods into the aquarium. Because these pods are light-weight is will take a long time before they sink. To speed up this process, it is advisable to boil the pods in water for about 40 minutes, preferably completely submerged by, for example, a stone.
Besides that the pods will give the aquarium a way more natural look, the seeds can be used as shelter, resting place and spawning place. They also serve as an ideal growth medium for biofilm and diatoms, both of which are key food sources to countless aquatic animal species, including shrimp and young fish.
It is also a product that, like Alder cones and Catappa leaves, is rich in tannins. This can lead to a slight decrease in the pH value and a red/brown discoloration of the water. Like other natural products containing tannins, the pods also have an antibacterial and antifungal effect, reduce stress and prevent diseases in the aquarium.
The lotus pods color the water brown and are therefore very suitable for black water biotope aquariums.

Terrarium: You can simply place the pods loose on top of your leaf litter base. This way you give the terrarium a more realistic rainforest look. In the rainforest, the leaf litter can be several centimeters thick with many different types of seed pods scattered throughout.

 

Natural products such as Catappa leaves, Guava leaves, Mulberry leaves, Alder cones and Thelambu pods promote fish health, color brilliance, breeding and stress reduction.
Because they are natural products, they can vary in shape and size. Each piece is unique.

Available size:

– 3 – 5 cm
– 5 – 7 cm
– 7 – 9 cm

 

Pay attention:

If you use active carbon the effect of the Lotus pods can be reduced. Because of that we advice to not use active carbon in combination with the pods. Also nitrate resin will take away, a part, of the reddish/brown water coloration.

 

Our pods are dried, so if you store them dry you can hold them for a unlimited time.

 

 

Delivered per: 1 piece
Delivery time: 1 – 3 working days*