Description
Aquatic Veralu Leaves | Pack of 20
Bring an authentic “forest stream” feel to your aquarium with Aquatic Veralu Leaves—beautiful, oval-shaped leaves collected from the Elaeocarpus serratus tree (often called the Ceylon Olive or Veralu tree). These leaves are gathered only after they naturally shed, then gently cleaned and sun-dried to preserve their structure and natural character. They are 100% natural and free of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical treatments, making them a safe botanical choice for community aquariums and planted tanks.
Natural Benefits in the Aquarium
Veralu Leaves are loved for the way they make a tank feel more alive and natural—not just visually, but biologically. Once submerged, they slowly release tannins and other natural organic compounds that can gently condition the water and contribute to a calmer, more natural environment. As they settle, the leaves quickly become part of the aquarium’s rhythm: a soft “leaf-litter” layer where biofilm forms, tiny food particles collect, and bottom activity naturally concentrates.
Key benefits at a glance:
- Gradual tannin release that supports a more natural, tea-tinted look
- Biofilm-friendly surface that encourages natural grazing behavior
- Leaf-litter cover that helps shy fish feel more secure and encourages more natural movement
- Slow breakdown over time that keeps the scape looking organic and established.
Together, these effects help your aquarium feel less sterile and more like a real slice of nature. You may notice a warm amber tint as tannins release—especially in softer water—an effect many aquarists intentionally seek in blackwater- and rainforest-inspired setups. If you prefer clearer water, routine water changes or activated carbon can reduce the tint. Over time, shrimp and snails often graze directly on the leaf surface as it develops biofilm, plecos may rasp along the softened edges, and corydoras frequently sift around the leaf-litter line looking for leftover flakes and food that settle nearby.
Aquascaping with Veralu Leaves
Veralu Leaves are at their best when used the way nature uses them: scattered, layered, and slightly uneven rather than placed in neat symmetry. Let a few leaves overlap in a corner, tuck one partially under driftwood, or place a leaf near rocks where it looks like it drifted in and settled. This instantly adds depth to open substrate and makes the tank look “finished,” especially in planted layouts where you want a natural transition between hardscape and greenery.
For a cohesive natural look, pair Veralu Leaves with driftwood and hardscape, then let other plants do the rest of the work over time. They also look especially convincing when mixed with other botanicals, creating a varied bottom texture that mimics true leaf-and-botanical litter found along riverbeds and lake margins.
Quick Aquascaping Tips:
- Scatter leaves in small clusters instead of laying them in a straight line
- Overlap a few leaves to create a more natural, layered forest-floor effect
- Tuck one under driftwood or against rockwork so it looks “settled” into the scape
- Mix leaves with other botanicals for a more realistic litter bed
When botanicals of different shape and sizes are mixed together, they make the aquarium feel more “real”—like a small forest stream bed—because it breaks up open substrate, adds shaded pockets, and creates little zones where biofilm develops and tiny food particles collect for fish to look for. In practice, shrimp spend more time grazing and exploring along the leaf surfaces, plecos will often “munch” on the softened edges and biofilm as the leaves age (turning the litter bed into a natural, supplemental food source), and schooling fish like tetras frequently weave in and out of the leaf layer and the shadows beneath it—behavior that makes the whole tank look more active, natural, and secure rather than exposed and sterile.
How to Use & Prep Veralu Leaves
You can use Veralu Leaves either for visual impact on the substrate or for gentle botanical conditioning. Rinse the leaves under clean water to remove any natural dust. If you want them to sink quickly, pre-soak them for 1–2 days until they waterlog and settle. If you don’t mind a more gradual introduction, place them directly into the tank—many will float briefly before sinking on their own. You can also add leaves to a filter bag or a filter compartment when you want tannin release with minimal change to your layout.
Use a few leaves to start, then add more over time based on your tank size and the depth of tint and botanical effect you prefer.
Note: Each Veralu Leaf is unique in size, shape, and tone. As a 100% natural product, minor variations are normal and part of the authentic, organic character they bring to your aquarium.
Why Buy from Modern Aquarium
At Modern Aquarium, we’re passionate about helping you build natural, healthy aquariums—combining botanicals, hardscape, and plants in a way that looks realistic and functions beautifully. We also carry a large selection of live aquarium plants, so it’s easy to pair Veralu Leaves with the exact foreground, midground, and background species you want for your layout. We’ve been designated by Google as a Top Quality Store, and we have thousands of verified customer reviews on Google, so you can shop with confidence.
