Description: 7 natural manzanita branches bird perch craft 13"-16" (SB2) All branches range in-between 13"-16" and are about 1/2"-1.75" in diameter at their thickest parts. These branches were cut months ago, have been exposed to full sun, rain and snow, and have started the seasoning process. Most of the "red bark" has turned almost black, and/or has started to peel/fall off, some have grey. All branches has been lightly sanded down to knock off most of (not all) the lichen, dirt, and peeling. I will take custom orders if I'm able to find what your looking for. If you have a branch shape in mind, I might be able to find it. I own 14 acres of Chaparral terrain the Sierra Nevada. Red Manzanita Branches (Manzanita Wood)Manzanita wood, also known as Red Manzanita branches, has been go-to driftwood within the aquarium hobby since the beginning. This wood is easily found all over the world and comes from the various species within the genus Arctostaphylos. It is mostly known for its extravagant look underwater and it’s slow decomposition. In addition, it is non-toxic and can be beneficial to animals as a source of food and nutrients to plants. Manzanita wood is an excellent choice of wood for aquariums that need to be buffered to lower PH. Furthermore, this wood is great for many other types of vivariums as well. It can be used for perches in aviaries so birds have a place to climb and rest. Vivarium TypeManzanita Branches will do great in a variety of vivarium types. When deciding if rather or not to use this wood in a particular type of enclosure, Be sure to go with freshwater biotypes. Here are recommended vivariums Manzanita wood will do well in:Paludariums – Half aquatic/ half terrain-based enclosure.Ripariums – Mostly aquatic-based enclosure with some terrain features present.Terrariums – Fully terrain-based enclosure with little to no aquatic features.Aquariums – Fully aquatic-based enclosure with no terrain features.Vivarium UsageManzanita Branches can be used in a number of ways within a vivarium. These types of driftwood can be used as both a hardscape as well as a substrate for many vivarium plants that are epiphytes. They work well above and underwater, with or without bark depending on the circumstances.In aquariums or ripariums, this wood makes an excellent hardscape material where fish can nibble on the branch. It would be ideal to use it without bark due to the unsightly appearance of the bark peeling off over time. Another note worth mentioning is that this wood will only remain submerged once it is dried out and cured. Evergreen plants like Manzanita wood will retain its buoyancy when alive and green. Freshly added driftwood will need to be anchored or pre-soaked for several weeks before sinking.In terrariums and the land portions of a paludariums, the red bark can be left intact with the wood to give off a more unique look. Birds, reptiles, and amphibians will use the branches to stand or climb to higher positions within the enclosure. Manzanita Wood being placed above water will not have to be pre-soaked but should still be securely placed.AdvantagesThe greatest benefit of using Manzanita Branches compared to other vivarium driftwood is the low amounts of tannins that will leech. This is recommended for those who aren’t aiming to build a blackwater biotype and want a wood that’s easy to manage tannin wise. Allowing the wood to pre-soak will wash potential tannins out as well as saturate the branch allowing it to sink easier.Another advantage of using this wood is its ability to lower PH and water hardness. This is ideal for freshwater setups and can help buffer certain rocks that may slightly raise PH. This would is chemically inert and non-toxic, making it safe for fish, reptiles, and invertebrates.One final benefit of Manzanita Wood is it is considered rot-resistant due to the extremely slow decay even when fully submerged for long periods of time.DisadvantagesManzanita wood can be a rather large and dense wood to work with. The branches can easily be broken down into smaller pieces but as most know, the true aesthetics lies in the overall flow larger branches exhibit. Due to the low water parameter influence, this wood would not be ideal for hard water enclosures that require the PH to be above 7. The wood does float when it’s dry so that may require long periods of pre-soaking or anchoring.
Price: 38.99 USD
Location: Coarsegold, California
End Time: 2023-11-05T17:11:44.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Brand: natural nature
