Lotus Pod

Description

Lotus Pods

Lotus pods are a great choice when you want a botanical that does more than just sit there and look pretty. The dried seed heads have a unique honeycomb shape with deep natural chambers. Those spaces make them useful in aquariums, terrariums, and bioactive enclosures.

They also hold their shape longer than softer botanicals like leaf litter. So, you get some structure in your setup while still keeping a natural look.

Using Lotus Pods in Terrariums

In a bioactive enclosure, lotus pods give isopods and springtails plenty of little spaces to explore. Isopods especially seem to find every tiny hiding place you give them, and the chambers in these pods are perfect for that.

You can place the pod directly on top of your substrate or tuck it into your leaf litter. It also looks great mixed with bark, moss, plants, and other seed pods.

Over time, the pod will start to soften and break down. Your clean-up crew can explore and feed around the decaying material as it becomes part of the enclosure.

Using Lotus Pods in Aquariums

Lotus pods are also a fun addition to freshwater and botanical-style aquariums. Their chambers can create small hiding areas for shrimp, including places to retreat while molting.

Once the pod has been underwater for a while, biofilm can begin growing across its surface. Shrimp and other small grazers may spend plenty of time picking at this growth.

The pod may also release tannins into the water. Therefore, some amber or tea-colored tint is normal when using natural botanicals.

How to Make Lotus Pods Sink

These things can be stubborn floaters, so don’t be surprised if your lotus pods refuse to sink right away.

First, rinse the pod well with clean water to remove loose debris. Never use soap or household cleaners.

Next, boil it for about 15–20 minutes. This helps the dry pod begin soaking up water.

After boiling, let it cool and move it into a container of fresh water. Then, soak it overnight or longer. Keep the pod completely underwater while it soaks.

If it keeps floating, use an aquarium-safe rock or weight to hold it down. Continue soaking until the pod stays submerged without help. Some pieces simply take longer than others to become fully waterlogged.

Once it sinks on its own, it’s ready for your aquarium.

What to Expect

Like most natural botanicals, lotus pods will change over time. They may darken, soften, and eventually start to break down.

In an aquarium, you may also notice a white or clear film growing on the surface. This is commonly associated with biofilm developing on newly submerged organic material.

Tannins may also tint your water. If you want to keep that effect light, add botanicals slowly and watch how your tank responds.

In a terrarium, you can leave the pod in place as it ages. Alternatively, replace it when it has broken down more than you would like.

 

 

Botanical source: Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Great for: Freshwater aquariums, shrimp tanks, blackwater setups, bioactive terrariums, reptile enclosures, isopod colonies, and springtails.

Please note: These are natural products. Size, shape, color, and the number of chambers will vary from pod to pod.