{"product_id":"banana-stems","title":"Banana Stems - 3 Stems","description":"\u003cp\u003eBanana stems are from the \u003cem\u003eMusa acuminata\u003c\/em\u003e tree, and they are very durable.  Banana stems last several months in an aquarium and terrarium.  They product biofilm which is enjoyed by shrimp and fry and isopods too. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMusa acuminata\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dried banana stems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSource Location:\u003c\/strong\u003e India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 5 inches to 8 inches long\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e100% Natural:\u003c\/strong\u003e Organically sourced and naturally dried, free from artificial chemicals — safe and sustainable for all applications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighly Versatile:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen properly prepared, they can promote biofilm, and they provide unique hiding spots and contribute to a natural environment which stimulates natural spawning behaviors for fish and shrimp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBioactive Terrariums:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provides hiding spots for isopods, springtails, and small reptiles, serves as a food source for isopods and springtails, enriches the substrate by releasing nutrients as they break down, and encourages natural and instinctive behaviors such as forging and exploring.  No additional preparation of the botanicals is necessary for bioactive enclosures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreparation for Aquarium\/Paludarium Use:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Boil the pods for at least 15 minutes to help them sink and leach initial tannins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSoak:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Soak in clean water overnight or longer if needed, changing the water daily, until they are fully waterlogged and the desired amount of tannin has been leached.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReady to Use:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Once they sink and you've achieved your desired water coloration, they are ready to be added to your setup.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e As a natural product, each botanical\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is unique and will vary in size, shape, and coloration. These pods are intended for decorative, craft, and aquarium\/vivarium use only and are not for human consumption.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003eShips free with live animal purchases.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"I Heart Bugs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59954301927505,"sku":null,"price":3.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/2539\/6561\/files\/banana-stems-3-stems-9109863.jpg?v=1786762929","url":"https:\/\/iheartbugs.com\/products\/banana-stems","provider":"IHEARTBUGS, INC.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}