Sappanwood Shavings

Sappanwood (Biancaea sappan, formerly Caesalpinia sappan) is a small thorny tree native from the Indian subcontinent to Indochina, where its heartwood has been traded for centuries as a red dye. Ours comes from Indonesia, where it's widely grown and known as secang.These shavings are thin, curled strips of that heartwood, about 2–6 cm (¾–2½ in) long and reddish-brown to orange. The color comes mainly from brazilin, a natural dye that shifts with pH. It looks warmer orange-amber in acidic water and redder toward neutral. Because the strips are fine, they tint quickly and run out sooner than bark, usually within 1–3 months. Biofilm forms readily on their surfaces. It isn't native to Bornean peat swamps, so treat it as a color stand-in in Southeast Asian builds. It's for aquarists layering botanicals who want a warmer, redder tone than Catappa gives.

Habitat Snapshot

Tannin Character: Medium–High · Water Tone: Warm amber to amber-red (redder toward neutral pH) · Habitat Origin: Native to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina; sourced from Indonesia (stand-in for Bornean builds)· Breakdown: 1–3 months · Best For: Fast warm-tone tinting · Filter media · Layered botanical builds · Preparation: Rinse + Boil + Soak · Use with Caution: Strong color in small tanks; start low; may tint light sand and silicone · Quantity: 40 g

Key Benefits

• Warm amber-red tone you won't get from Catappa
• Fast color release from fine heartwood strips
• Easy to dose in a filter bag or among leaf litter
• Biofilm forms readily on the surfaces

How to Use

Rinse thoroughly. Boil for 15–20 minutes to release the first heavy color, then discard the water. Soak in clean water for 12–24 hours, then discard that water too. Dose 5–8 g per 10 gal (38 L). Start at the low end in small tanks and watch the tone for a few days before adding more. Place the shavings among leaf litter or in a filter media bag. Replace them as they break down, usually every 1–3 months.

Best For

Southeast Asian blackwater builds, wild betta tanks, and layered botanical setups where a warm amber-red water tone is the goal.

Please Note: Not for human consumption. Preparation required. Because this is a natural product, size, shape, color, and texture will vary from piece to piece.

Let the botanical become part of the system. The value is in the slow breakdown, biofilm, tannin character, habitat texture, and natural behavior it encourages. This is where sunken forests come to life.