{"product_id":"sappanwood-shavings","title":"Sappanwood Shavings","description":"\u003cp\u003eSappanwood (\u003cem\u003eBiancaea sappan\u003c\/em\u003e, formerly \u003cem\u003eCaesalpinia sappan\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHabitat Snapshot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong1\u003eTannin Character: \u003c\/strong1\u003eMedium–High · \u003cstrong1\u003eWater Tone: \u003c\/strong1\u003eWarm amber to amber-red (redder toward neutral pH) · \u003cstrong1\u003eHabitat Origin: \u003c\/strong1\u003eNative to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina; sourced from Indonesia (stand-in for Bornean builds)· \u003cstrong1\u003eBreakdown: \u003c\/strong1\u003e1–3 months · \u003cstrong1\u003eBest For: \u003c\/strong1\u003eFast warm-tone tinting · Filter media · Layered botanical builds · \u003cstrong1\u003ePreparation: \u003c\/strong1\u003eRinse + Boil + Soak · \u003cstrong1\u003eUse with Caution: \u003c\/strong1\u003eStrong color in small tanks; start low; may tint light sand and silicone · \u003cstrong1\u003eQuantity: \u003c\/strong1\u003e40 g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarm amber-red tone you won't get from Catappa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFast color release from fine heartwood strips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy to dose in a filter bag or among leaf litter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiofilm forms readily on the surfaces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse thoroughly.\nBoil 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBest For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eSoutheast Asian blackwater builds, wild betta tanks, and layered botanical setups where a warm amber-red water tone is the goal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-notice\"\u003ePlease Note: Not for human consumption. Preparation required. Because this is a natural product, size, shape, color, and texture will vary from piece to piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLet 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.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blackwater Scapes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51838272209192,"sku":"BWS-BK-04","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0990\/1729\/4120\/files\/ChatGPTImageJun16_2026_10_02_22PM_3.png?v=1781663262","url":"https:\/\/blackwaterscapes.com\/products\/sappanwood-shavings","provider":"Blackwater Scapes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}