10 assorted red natural manzanita branches bird perch.
Assorted lot of 10 manzanita branches. Each lot will be similar to one shown in picture.
Branches will range in length from about 9"- 17".
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 Type
Manzanita 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.
Manzanita 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.
Advantages
The 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.
Disadvantages
Manzanita 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.