Natural Cholla Wood 3 Pieces 6? for Shrimp habitat and food treat, Hermit Crabs, Plecos, Aquarium Decoration, Lowers pH, Hideouts and Chew Toys for small pets and Reptiles, Thorn Free Dried Organic By Awesome Aquatics Cholla Wood pieces are shipped to you completely dry it is recommended that you rinse or boil and soak before placing them in your habitat. For aquariums simply soak them in water in a separate container for 24-48 hours until they become waterlogged and easily sink to the bottom of your tank, or they will float around for the day until they saturate. It is best for an established Tank that you soak them for a few hours in similarly conditioned water before adding in the environment. In a dry environment for hermit crabs, reptiles or birds, it is best to boil and then bake them to full dryness so that you clean the cholla cactus of any bacteria. They are cleaned but best to always take precautions since they were stored and shipped. All natural organic thorn-free Cholla Wood is safe for all types of pets. Pets such as dwarf shrimp, snails, pleco and fish enjoy swimming around and hiding in these hollow holey pieces of wood. Other pets like hermit crabs, chinchillas, hamsters, rabbits and all kinds of reptiles the cholla wood is great in cages and tanks to climb rest and bask on the beautiful pieces of wood. Parrots, cockatiels and other birds use the cholla wood as a healthy chew toy. As a natural plant product the dried cholla cactus husk will slowly lower the ph levels in your aquarium that many shrimp or aquatic pets prefer. The approximately 6? x .5-1.25? logs do release small amounts of tannins. You can reduce this by boiling, rinsing and soaking the wood before placing them in your tank.