{"product_id":"zoomed-african-mopani-wood","title":"Mopani Wood","description":"\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Every piece is natural and one of a kind, so the exact shape, color, and character you take home will vary from the photos.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMopani wood is a dense, sculptural African hardwood prized for aquascaping. Each piece carries a distinctive two-tone look, one side smooth and sandy, the other dark and deeply grained, and its high density helps it sink and anchor your layout. It is a longtime favorite for planted tanks, cichlid and pleco setups, and natural blackwater aquascapes. Pick up more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater aquascaping supplies\u003c\/a\u003e while you are in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:16px 0 6px;font-size:1.06em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWhy Mopani Wood\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:4px 0 4px 18px;padding:0;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDense hardwood that sinks readily and holds your hardscape in place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking two-tone, heavily textured surface that looks great in any style tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReleases natural tannins for a soft, tea-stained blackwater look and slightly lower pH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA perfect anchor for anubias, java fern, moss, and other epiphyte plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSafe for fish, shrimp, and live plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoved by plecos and other wood-grazing fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvery piece is unique in shape and grain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:16px 0 6px;font-size:1.06em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003ePreparing Your Wood\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive the wood a good rinse under water to clear any dust. Because Mopani is so dense, a pre-soak of one to two weeks (or a boil if the piece fits your pot) helps it sink fully and releases the first flush of tannins before it goes in your display. Expect tea-colored water at first, this is natural and harmless, and it fades over time. Activated carbon and regular water changes clear it faster if you prefer crystal-clear water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:16px 0 6px;font-size:1.06em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eChoosing a Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSizes run from X-Small pieces for nano tanks and foregrounds up to 4-XL centerpieces for large aquariums. Match the size to your tank footprint and the look you are after. Because each piece is hand-selected natural wood, dimensions are approximate and the shape of your piece will be one of a kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:16px 0 6px;font-size:1.06em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:540px;font-size:0.95em;margin:6px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;width:36%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNatural Mopani (African mopane) hardwood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater aquariums and terrariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSinks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes, dense wood (pre-soak recommended)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater effect\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eReleases tannins, gentle blackwater tint and mild pH drop\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSizes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eX-Small through 4-XL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNatural product, each piece is unique\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:16px 0 6px;font-size:1.06em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:4px 0 4px 18px;padding:0;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eAnubias, java fern, and moss\u003c\/a\u003e to attach and grow on the wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater conditioner and care\u003c\/a\u003e for a healthy tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eMore freshwater fish, plants, and hardscape\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:16px 0 6px;font-size:1.06em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:6px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it sink right away?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMopani is very dense and usually sinks, but a one to two week pre-soak (or a boil) ensures it stays down and releases the first round of tannins first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:6px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it stain my water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it releases natural tannins that tint the water a light tea color. This is harmless and prized in blackwater tanks. Activated carbon and water changes clear it if you prefer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:6px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe for shrimp and plants?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Mopani wood is safe for fish, shrimp, and live plants, and shrimp and plecos love to graze on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:6px 0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my piece look exactly like the photo?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo two pieces are identical. The photos show representative examples, and your hand-picked piece will have its own unique shape and grain.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZooMed","offers":[{"title":"X-Small (\u003c 6\")","offer_id":48833734508763,"sku":"20091-XS","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (6\"-8\")","offer_id":48324086694107,"sku":"20091","price":9.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sm-Medium (8\"-10\")","offer_id":48833767440603,"sku":"20092-7","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (10\"-12\")","offer_id":48324086726875,"sku":"20092","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (12\"-14\")","offer_id":48328459976923,"sku":"20092-2","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (14\"-16\")","offer_id":48643007512795,"sku":"20092-3","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XX-Large (16\"-18\")","offer_id":48643007545563,"sku":"20092-4","price":31.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XXX-Large (18\"-20\")","offer_id":48683637735643,"sku":"20092-5","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"4-XL (20\"+)","offer_id":48822845735131,"sku":"20092-6","price":59.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_1c1b8299-c695-4e49-ae84-de806105b41b.png?v=1772716260","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-african-mopani-wood","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}