{"product_id":"medium-bell-cups","title":"Natural Dried Bell Cup Pods (Aegle marmelos) - Medium","description":"\u003cp\u003eInfuse your vivarium or botanical aquascape with the organic, cup-shaped architecture of all-natural Bell Cups. Naturally dried from the woody fruit capsules of the \u003ci\u003eAegle marmelos\u003c\/i\u003e (Bael fruit) tree, these durable, spherical pods serve as naturalistic reptile hides, elevated background planters, frog water pockets, and biofilm grazing hubs for aquatic and terrestrial life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevered for centuries across tropical Asia, dried Bell Cups bring unmatched versatility and heavy-duty structural durability to both aquatic and bioactive setups. Their thick, rigid woody shells hold up remarkably well in high-humidity vivariums and fully submerged aquascapes without softening prematurely. In terrariums, their deep cup shape can be placed ground-level as a cozy hide for dart frogs and micro geckos, or mounted to a background wall to create a living epiphytic planter or natural rainwater catchment. Submerged in aquariums, Bell Cups release a balanced, moderate wash of beneficial tannins while providing safe breeding caverns and biofilm pastures for dwarf shrimp and micro-fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMulti-Functional Bowl Architecture:\u003c\/b\u003e Natural spherical cavity functions effortlessly as a terrestrial micro-cave, an elevated vivarium background planter, or a natural water catchment basin for amphibians.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eExceptional Structural Rigidity:\u003c\/b\u003e Built with a dense, woody outer wall that resists rot and retains its structural shape for months under direct misting or complete aquatic submersion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBiofilm \u0026amp; Spawning Hub:\u003c\/b\u003e The expansive interior and textured exterior cultivate rich microscopic grazing films for freshwater shrimp while offering secure spawning sites for dwarf cichlids and nano fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBalanced Tannin Release:\u003c\/b\u003e Imparts a steady, moderate release of humic substances to condition aquarium water, soften parameters, and help build authentic blackwater environments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e100% Organically Sourced \u0026amp; Chemical-Free:\u003c\/b\u003e Sun-dried in India without synthetic coatings, bleaching agents, or pesticides—completely safe for sensitive amphibians, reptiles, and clean-up crews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eAegle marmelos\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/b\u003e Bell Cups, Bael Cups, Indian Bael Fruit Pods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/b\u003e India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/b\u003e Approx. 5 to 5.8 cm (2\" to 2.3\") \u003ci\u003e(Available across Mini, Small, Medium, and Large size gradings)\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e 100% natural, sun-dried woody fruit capsule\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTannin Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eApplications:\u003c\/b\u003e Bioactive terrariums, vivarium backgrounds, dart frog breeding habitats, dwarf shrimp tanks, and blackwater biotope aquascapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTarget Species:\u003c\/b\u003e Dart frogs, mourning geckos, micro geckos, isopods, springtails, \u003ci\u003eNeocaridina\u003c\/i\u003e \u0026amp; \u003ci\u003eCaridina\u003c\/i\u003e dwarf shrimp, and dwarf cichlids (\u003ci\u003eApistogramma\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKeeper’s Tips\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAquarium Prep (Boil \u0026amp; Clean):\u003c\/b\u003e Bell cups have dense woody walls and trap interior air. Boil for at least 30 minutes to promote waterlogging and loosen any residual dried fruit lining inside the cup. After boiling, use a spoon or stiff brush to gently scrape out the softened inner pulp before soaking—removing this pulp prevents organic spikes and cloudy bacterial blooms in smaller aquariums. Soak in fresh water until it sinks reliably.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBackground Vivarium Planters:\u003c\/b\u003e Use aquarium-safe silicone or expanding landscape foam to secure Bell Cups sideways or slightly upward into your vivarium background. Pack the interior with moist sphagnum moss and small epiphytic plants like \u003ci\u003eNeoregelia\u003c\/i\u003e pups, creeping fig (\u003ci\u003eFicus pumila\u003c\/i\u003e), or mini ferns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNatural Frog Water Pockets:\u003c\/b\u003e Position an un-drilled cup facing upward beneath an automated misting nozzle. It will collect mist droplets, providing poison dart frogs and arboreal micro geckos with a fresh, natural hydration reservoir and potential tadpole deposition pool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSize \u0026amp; Shape Variation:\u003c\/b\u003e Because these are wild-harvested botanical fruit shells, expect slight organic variations in opening diameter, rim contour, and deep earthy brown tones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"NaturePods Botanicals","offers":[{"title":"1 Medium Bell Cup","offer_id":47105052606663,"sku":"1MediumBellCup","price":3.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Medium Bell Cups","offer_id":47105052639431,"sku":"3MediumBellCups","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Medium Bell Cups","offer_id":47105052672199,"sku":"10MediumBellcups","price":27.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0791\/8590\/3815\/files\/be_6e6d7482-92b4-45ed-98e6-ff8a1b6e0c03.jpg?v=1788694881","url":"https:\/\/rachelsreptileresource.shop\/products\/medium-bell-cups","provider":"Rachel's Reptile Resource","version":"1.0","type":"link"}