A favorite aquascaping material, driftwood has been used by aquarists since the dawn of fish keeping to create beautiful and natural aquascapes within our aquariums . There are a wide variety of woods available, all with unique shapes, colors and textures, making it easy to find a type of driftwood to match your taste.
How long should you soak driftwood before putting it in a fish tank?
The process is fairly simple. All you have to do is soak the driftwood in a large water bath, ensuring that the piece of driftwood remains completely underwater. We recommend you soak it for one to two weeks . Soaking driftwood is important because doing so removes excess tannins.
Is driftwood safe for aquariums?
When purchasing driftwood, make sure it is safe for aquarium use . Driftwood sold for reptiles may look ideal for aquariums but it may contain chemicals harmful to fish. Though tempting, avoid using wood or roots found outdoors.
Can I put driftwood from the beach in my fish tank?
With so much driftwood to be found just lying on beaches and riverbanks, many fish keepers wonder if it’s safe to collect their own. The good news is, yes, it’s okay to use some driftwood that you’ve found yourself .
Can I put any wood in my aquarium?
Any collected wood must be ‘dry’ to be used in the tank . If branches are still bendy they are retaining some toxic sap. Likewise, if they show any green coloration in the middle of a branch they are too fresh for aquarium use.
What type of wood is safe for aquariums?
Bogwood . Without doubt the most commonly used type of aquarium wood anywhere in the world. Bogwood is wood that has been preserved by the anaerobic conditions of these environments over hundreds if not thousands of years in a bog.
What does driftwood do to aquarium water?
Driftwood helps boost the immune systems of your fishes . When driftwood is submerged, natural tannins will slowly leach into the aquarium water. These tannins create a slightly acidic environment that helps to keep viruses and disease-causing bacteria at bay.
What driftwood is best for aquariums?
- Sumatran Driftwood. Sumatran driftwood is actually pieces of mangrove roots. ...
- Bogwood. The aquarium trade used to see true bogwood. ...
- Mopani Wood. This wood has a unique heavy club-like appearance. ...
- Marsh Root. ...
- Cholla Wood. ...
- Redmoor Root Wood. ...
- Manzanita. ...
- Jangle Wood.
How do you disinfect driftwood?
Mix a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water and fill a large container so that there is enough solution to completely submerge your driftwood. Place your driftwood in the solution. Soak your driftwood for 3 or 4 days, changing out the disinfecting solution each day.
How long does driftwood last in an aquarium?
Wood is organic and that means it will break down over time. How quickly it breaks down will depend on a number of factors, but on average, most driftwood will begin to show signs of deterioration as early as 2 years after being submerged and may need replacing after roughly 5 years .
Can you use wood from outside in an aquarium?
Any wood that is green in color is not safe to use and is not recommended at all . If you have green wood, you can’t put it in your aquarium. Such wood has to be weathered outside for at least a year before its deemed usable.
How do you boil large pieces of driftwood?
Lay in tub and pour bleach all over it and let it sit for a few hours then pour boiling water on it! Flip and pour more boiling water! Then rinse it really well! Then fill tub and let it sit for a few hours, drain and repeat fill and soak this should get all bleach out of wood!
Can you put tree bark in a fish tank?
Bark is much softer than the wood underneath, and usually decomposes quickly when submerged. This can cause water quality problems. Bark can also release a lot of tanins into the water. For these reasons, most people recommend taking all the bark off .
What driftwood is not safe for aquariums?
However, any piece of wood cannot be used for aquarium driftwood. Aquarium driftwood needs to be cured & submersible, else it may leak tannins and discolor the water.
Can driftwood make my tank cloudy?
Driftwood Leaching Tannins. Here’s a reason a tank may turn cloudy which really isn’t a care mistake on your part, but may instead be due to a lack of knowledge of your tank decorations . Using natural driftwood in your tank is a great idea.
How does driftwood affect pH?
Adding some natural Driftwood to your aquarium will safely lower its pH levels. Like Peat Moss, driftwood will release tannins into your tank’s water, reducing the pH . However, because it contains tannins, it will also color your water yellow/brown.
