Cholla Wood is the dried skeleton of the cholla cactus (Cylindropuntia sp.) -- a hollow, cylindrical tube of interlocked woody fibres with naturally occurring openings along the entire length that create a structure unlike any other hardscape or botanical item in the catalog. The hollow interior, accessible through the openings along the sides, provides a physical shelter environment that shrimplets actively seek out and that adult shrimp explore for the dense interior biofilm that accumulates within the fibrous walls of the cylinder. It releases tannins slowly as it softens and begins to decompose over weeks, contributes to a mild blackwater aesthetic, and provides a continuous foraging surface that improves in biofilm richness as the wood softens with time. Cholla Wood is simultaneously a hardscape element, a botanical item, and a food source -- it decomposes fully over several months and can be replaced with fresh pieces as old ones break down. Safe for all Neocaridina, Caridina, and snails.
What to Expect
Structure, Biofilm and Use
Hollow tubular structure with openings along the full length -- unique in the catalog -- the defining structural quality of Cholla Wood is the hollow interior cylinder accessible through naturally occurring gaps in the fibrous woody wall. This creates a three-dimensional foraging and shelter environment inside the wood piece itself -- shrimp enter through the side openings, move through the interior, and forage on the biofilm that develops on the inner wall surfaces. No other hardscape or botanical item in the catalog provides this enclosed, navigable interior structure.
Shrimplets actively shelter and forage inside the hollow interior -- the openings in the Cholla Wood cylinder are sized appropriately for shrimplets to enter and navigate the interior freely while being too small for most fish or larger animals to follow. In tanks with an active breeding colony, Cholla Wood pieces reliably accumulate shrimplets in their interior within the first few weeks of introduction -- making each piece a visible, productive shrimplet concentration point that is easily observed from the front glass.
Dense biofilm develops on interior and exterior surfaces over weeks -- both the exterior fibrous surface and the interior wall of the cylinder develop biofilm progressively as the wood softens with time in the water. The interior biofilm is typically richer and more diverse than the exterior because the enclosed environment is more sheltered from flow and light -- conditions that favour the microbial communities that produce the biofilm shrimp actively seek.
Slow tannin release contributes to mild amber water tint -- as Cholla Wood softens and begins to decompose, it releases tannins that produce a gentle amber tint in the water and contribute mild humic acids to the water chemistry. The release is gradual and moderate rather than the large initial release of some botanicals -- a pre-soak is optional and reduces the initial tannin release without significantly affecting long-term biofilm development.
Decomposes fully over several months -- replace as pieces break down -- Cholla Wood is not permanent hardscape -- it softens progressively, the fibrous structure eventually fragments, and the piece fully decomposes over two to four months depending on tank temperature, flow, and biological activity. When a piece begins to fragment significantly, replace it with a fresh one to maintain the shelter and foraging structure it provides.
Floats initially -- soak or weight before use -- dry Cholla Wood floats. Soak in water for 24-48 hours before introduction to waterlog the fibrous structure and eliminate the floating period. Weight with a small stone placed inside the hollow interior if the piece continues to surface after soaking.
How to Use It
Getting Started
1Soak for 24-48 hours before introduction -- submerge in a separate container of water to waterlog the fibrous structure. The wood sinks reliably after 24-48 hours of soaking. Discard the soak water if you want to reduce the initial tannin release in the tank.
2Position horizontally on the substrate in an open, visible location -- horizontal placement keeps the side openings accessible for shrimp entry and exit. Position in a visible area of the tank where shrimplet activity inside the hollow can be observed from the front glass.
3Allow biofilm to develop -- do not disturb for the first two weeks -- after introduction, leave the Cholla Wood undisturbed for two to three weeks to allow biofilm to establish on both exterior and interior surfaces. The richest foraging period begins around week two to three as the interior biofilm reaches peak density.
4Replace when the piece begins significant structural fragmentation -- Cholla Wood is a consumable item rather than permanent hardscape. Introduce a fresh piece alongside a decomposing one so that the tank always has at least one piece at the peak biofilm stage.
Bonus TipA piece of Cholla Wood positioned horizontally at the front of the tank on dark substrate -- close enough to the front glass that the interior is visible from outside -- creates the most engaging shrimplet observation point in the catalog. Within two to three weeks of introduction to an established breeding colony, the interior of the piece will reliably contain three to ten shrimplets at any given time, clearly visible through the openings from outside the tank. In a planted tank where shrimplets are otherwise difficult to spot, Cholla Wood makes juvenile observation effortless and continuous.
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Browse more hardscapePair Cholla Wood with Alder Cones, Indian Almond Leaves, or other botanicals for a complete natural setup. Browse our Hardscape collection.
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