Description
Reptiscape Ipil Seed Pods are a great seed pod that you can use in a terrarium, vivarium or aquarium for a natural decor.
Ipil Seed Pods come from the Leucaena leucocephala (Jumbay Tree or Ipil-Ipil). It is actually a Legume, in the same family as peas. The seed pods look fairly similar to snap peas, just much larger.
Using Ipil Seed Pods in a Terrarium
Add a splash of the jungle by spreading adding seed pods on top of your leaf litter, to give your terrarium a more realistic, rainforest look.
In the rainforest, the leaf litter may be several inches thick with seed pods scattered all over. Typically in a naturalistic or bioactive terrarium, you want to have the leaves at least a few layers deep. You should routinely add more leaves and seed pods as you see them decomposing.
Isopods and Springtails will use the seed pods as shelter, and will eventually break them down. All part of a healthy bioactive terrarium ecosystem.
Using Ipil Seed Pods in an Aquarium
Ipil Seed Pods are part of our Tannin Collection. They can be used in a natural aquarium set up to give it a more natural appearance. Perfect for Shrimp, Betta Fish, Discus and South American Cichlids and other fish aquariums.
Ipil Seed Pods are perfect for black water aquariums as well as many other setups. The seed pods will provide shelter to fish fry and small species of shrimp, crabs, crayfish, snails, and other fish while maintaining a natural look in the aquarium.
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 other invertebrates as well as fish.
These seed pods are fairly light weight and will eventually get waterlogged and sink. However boiling them for 20 minutes will speed this process up.
How to clean and sanitize Ipil Seed Pods
While you can simply rinse your seed pods before using them. It is recommended that you also sterilize them prior to using them in a terrarium or aquarium. To achieve this you can microwave damp pods for 1-2 minute, boil pods for approximately 5 minutes, or bake damp seed pods at 200 °F for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Each package contains 10 Ipil Seed Pod. Each pod is approx 5-10” (13-25cm)
Due to the nature of this product there will be variation in size and shape.
Looking for more dried seed pods and nuts for your terrarium or aquarium decor? Check out our Seed Pod and Nuts Collection here.
Reptiscape Thelambu Seed Pods are available for sale and shipping in Canada.
