Natural pieces & representative photographs

Wood and stone vary naturally in shape, branching, texture, color and surface detail. Photographs illustrate the material and possible layouts; unless a listing explicitly identifies the exact piece for sale, do not assume you will receive the photographed shape or a matched set. Wet surfaces and aquarium lighting can look different from dry material.

Check the selected size, weight and quantity before ordering. A weight option does not specify a piece count unless the listing also states one. A size range does not describe every dimension or guarantee a particular branch arrangement, flat base or orientation. Ask about any essential measurement before purchase.

Plants, moss, substrate, animals and other display accessories are included only when the listing says so. Natural variation is not a blanket exclusion for an incorrect, damaged or misdescribed item. Contact us with photographs if you are concerned about what arrived.

Plan the footprint, weight & access

Allow room for the full footprint and branch spread, equipment, cleaning tools and the animals that will use the aquarium. A piece that fits through the opening may still obstruct a filter intake, lid or maintenance route once positioned.

Account for the combined weight of water, substrate and hardscape and follow the aquarium and stand manufacturer’s limits. Position heavy pieces carefully without dropping or dragging them against glass. Build a stable layout rather than relying on loose substrate to hold a top-heavy stack.

Consider animals that dig or burrow and spaces where an animal could become trapped as it grows. Recheck stability after planting, maintenance or repositioning. Shelter and visual barriers can help structure a habitat, but they do not guarantee compatibility between animals.

Inspection & preparation

Inspect the material and packaging before use. Rinse away loose dust and debris with clean water and use a clean brush where appropriate for the surface. Take care around fine branches, sharp edges and narrow crevices. Do not force fragile details to remove material.

Avoid household soap, scented cleaners and unverified chemical treatments on aquarium hardscape. Follow the preparation instructions for the specific material. Wood and stone should not automatically receive the same treatment, and these notes do not recommend heating or boiling rocks.

If a piece appears contaminated, has an unexpected coating or arrived damaged, photograph it and ask for advice before putting it into your tank. Preparation guidance does not establish a new return condition or claim deadline.

Wood: placement, soaking & buoyancy

Driftwood, Spider Wood and Dragon Wood differ in their structure and how individual pieces behave when placed in water. Check the selected product’s instructions and test the piece in a controlled setting before relying on it to stay in its final position.

If a piece floats, allow suitable preparation or secure it safely with aquarium-appropriate methods. There is no universal sinking time for every piece of wood. Avoid an arrangement where a moving branch or released attachment could strike the aquarium or trap an animal.

Fine branching can create useful attachment points and visual depth, but it also needs space. Inspect the intended position for sharp projections, obstructed swimming routes and access for cleaning. Do not force wood between the glass panes or under equipment to hold it down.

Tannins, water color & monitoring

Aquarium wood can release tannins that give water an amber tint. The amount and duration vary with the material, individual piece, preparation and water changes. A photograph cannot predict how dark your aquarium water will become.

Tint alone does not tell you the pH, hardness or suitability of the water for your animals. Test the parameters that matter to your stock and maintain stable conditions. Wood is not a precise dosing method for reaching a target pH or a substitute for preparing appropriate water.

If you prefer clearer water, consult the product’s preparation guidance and suitable filtration options. Do not make abrupt changes simply to remove color. These expectations do not promise a fixed tannin-release period or a particular water chemistry result.

Surface growth & ongoing wood care

Newly submerged wood may develop a pale surface film or growth as it conditions. A film on wood should be assessed alongside the condition of the tank rather than automatically treated as shipping damage. Check water quality and the behavior of the animals if anything seems abnormal.

Gently remove unwanted buildup where practical and keep up routine maintenance. Do not assume every unusual growth or odor is harmless, and do not add medication or chemicals solely because a surface looks different. Ask for help if you are unsure what you are seeing.

Wood is an organic material and can change over time. Periodically inspect attachments, thin branches and surfaces for deterioration or loose debris. Reposition or remove an unsafe piece carefully without disturbing the animals or destabilizing the rest of the layout.

Stone selection & water chemistry

Different stones should not be treated as interchangeable. Our Black Seiryu Stone listing identifies an effect on KH and pH. Consider that effect before using it in a setup requiring soft, acidic water; monitor the actual aquarium rather than assuming the same response in every tank.

Our Red Dragon Stone listing describes different water-chemistry characteristics. Use the description for the exact product you selected, rather than extending a claim about one stone to all hardscape with a similar color or trade name.

Test water before and after adding hardscape, particularly in small or parameter-sensitive setups. The amount of material, your starting water and other components of the aquarium influence the overall result. No exact parameter change or stabilization time is promised here.

Plant attachment, crevices & maintenance

Use attachment methods suitable for the plant and aquarium. Avoid crushing stems or burying growing points that need to remain exposed. Check ties and supports as plants grow, and keep openings and filter access clear.

Remove trapped waste during routine cleaning without dismantling an unstable stack around animals. Fine branches and textured stone can catch nets, so plan a safe route when catching or moving livestock.

Hardscape alone is not a live plant and does not qualify for the Buy 2 Get 1 Free plant offer. Plant eligibility follows the existing promotion, not the presence of plants in a hardscape photograph.

Package problems, incorrect items & questions

Inspect your hardscape and its packaging on arrival. If the package is torn, wet, leaking, incorrectly labeled or appears to contain the wrong item or quantity, contact support@superiorshrimpaquatics.com promptly with your order number and clear photos. Include the label, the affected product and packaging so we can understand the concern.

Keep the original packaging and avoid using a product that appears contaminated or compromised while you ask for advice. This is practical documentation guidance, not a new claim deadline or a promise of a particular resolution. A routine unopened return and a report that an item arrived damaged or incorrect are different concerns; tell us which applies.

Existing return terms & exchanges

Hardscape is a dry good under our Return Policy. Ordinary returns require prior written authorization and unused, unopened items in their original sealed packaging. Contact us from the email address on your order before sending anything back, and consult the linked policy for its request window and complete eligibility requirements.

The buyer pays return shipping and safe packaging costs. Original shipping charges are non-refundable, and there is no restocking fee. Returned items must arrive in their original condition for inspection.

Approved refunds are processed within 3 business days after receipt and inspection, to the original payment method for the eligible item value. In-store exchanges are available for eligible items with prior written authorization. Promotional, free and final-sale items are subject to the exclusions in the full policy.

Shipping & mixed orders

These products ship as dry goods under our existing shipping practices. Review the delivery address, selected quantity and variant before checkout. Dispatch and delivery timing depend on fulfillment, stock and the selected service; a carrier transit estimate is not a guaranteed ship date.

If your order also includes live animals or plants, review their shipping requirements separately. Adding hardscape does not remove the requirements that apply to the live items in that order.

Live Arrival Guarantee scope

The existing Live Arrival Guarantee covers live animals and aquatic plants. Hardscape is a dry good and is not covered by that guarantee. The livestock reporting window and bonus-animal rules are not hardscape guarantees. For an issue with this item, contact us and refer to the Return Policy above.