Before your new piece of driftwood enters the tank, it needs a thorough physical cleaning. Start by using a clean, stiff-bristled brush to scrub away any loose bark, dirt, or soft spots. Avoid using wire brushes that might leave behind tiny metal fragments that could rust.
Never use soaps, detergents, or chemical cleaners during this process. Wood is porous and will absorb these substances, potentially leaching them back into your aquarium and harming your fish or shrimp. Stick to plain, warm dechlorinated water for the best results.
Boiling is the most effective way to prepare driftwood for an aquarium. It serves two main purposes: killing off any hitchhiking pathogens or pests and accelerating the release of tannins. Tannins are organic compounds that turn your water a tea-like brown color.
Place the wood in a large pot and boil it for at least one to two hours. If the wood is too large to fit entirely, boil one end at a time. This process also helps soften the wood fibers, making it much easier for the piece to eventually sink and stay submerged.
Many popular types of driftwood, like Spider Wood or Manzanita, are naturally buoyant and will float when first introduced. The simplest way to fix this is by soaking the wood in a separate bucket for several days or even weeks until it becomes waterlogged.
If you are in a hurry to start your aquascape, you can weigh the wood down using large rocks or by attaching it to a piece of slate with stainless steel screws or aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate glue. Over time, the wood will stay down on its own as the internal air pockets are replaced by water.
It is very common to see a fuzzy white substance growing on new driftwood after a few days in the tank. While it looks like a fungus, it is actually a harmless bacterial biofilm. This happens as bacteria feed on the leftover sugars and carbohydrates within the wood structure.
Don't panic if you see this growth; it will eventually disappear on its own once the food source is exhausted. Many fish, shrimp, and snails actually enjoy grazing on this biofilm. If it bothers you aesthetically, you can simply siphon it out during your weekly water change.
Before the final placement in your aquarium, give the wood one last rinse in dechlorinated water. Check for any sharp edges that might snag the delicate fins of long-finned fish like Bettas or Fancy Goldfish. Use a bit of sandpaper to smooth out any concerning points.
When placing it in the tank, ensure it is stable and won't tip over. If you have burrowing fish like certain Cichlids, make sure the driftwood is resting securely on the bottom glass or a sturdy base rather than just sitting on top of the substrate to prevent accidents.
Depending on the density and size of the wood, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to fully saturate and sink on its own.
No, tannins are generally beneficial. They can lower the pH slightly and have mild antifungal properties, though many hobbyists use activated carbon or chemical resins in their filter to remove the color if they prefer crystal clear water.
It is risky. Found wood may contain salt, pesticides, or sap from evergreens that can be toxic. Hardwoods are preferred as softwoods rot much faster and can release harmful resins into the water column.