Driftwood

🌿 Driftwood in Aquariums

What It Is:
Natural wood collected from rivers, bogs, or prepared sources. Driftwood is both decorative and functional, creating a natural, healthy environment for fish and plants.

🪵 Types Commonly Used

  • Mopani Wood – Dense, two-tone, heavy sinking wood. Releases tannins.
  • Malaysian Driftwood – Dark, smooth, sinks quickly, durable.
  • Spider Wood – Branchy, root-like appearance, great for aquascapes.
  • Cholla Wood – Hollow, porous, perfect for shrimp & nano tanks.
  • Manzanita Wood – Lightweight, twisted shapes, low tannins.

🌊 Benefits

  • Creates hiding spots for fish & shrimp.
  • Provides surface for beneficial bacteria & biofilm.
  • Releases tannins → lowers pH slightly, softens water, mimics natural blackwater habitats.
  • Enhances aquascapes with natural beauty.

⚠️ Preparation

  • Rinse and scrub before use.
  • Soak for several days/weeks to remove excess tannins (water may turn tea-colored).
  • Boil smaller pieces to sterilize and speed up sinking.

✅ Best For

  • Community tanks, shrimp tanks, planted tanks, and natural-style aquascapes.
  • South American species (tetras, discus, corydoras) and blackwater setups.
  • Shrimp and plecos, which love grazing biofilm on wood.