Using Driftwood in an Aquascape

Driftwood can be an important piece to use in an aquascape. It not only adds visual interest but it can help anchor mosses, ferns and other leafy plants that can attach to it. This creates a three-dimensional look to the aquarium and gives it more depth. It also helps to prevent the substrate from getting too compacted. In addition, using driftwood can be a good way to create slopes in the tank for more interesting aquascapes.

It is important to research the driftwood that you want to use in your aquarium. Some woods can be toxic to fish in high concentrations while others can change the water chemistry. Most pet stores only carry a limited selection of wood but aquarists can find plenty more at specialty shops and online.

There are many different types of aquarium driftwood. Each type can have unique colors and textures that add a great deal to the look of the aquascape. Some woods also require a certain amount of time to “cure” before they are used in the tank. Some woods will leach tannins that can lower the pH level in the water. Some aquarists prefer to pre-soak their wood for this reason. Other woods like tan-colored mopani and red-brown bogwood can be used without soaking because they are dense enough to sink to the bottom of the aquarium.

Other woods that can be found in specialty aquarium stores include azalea root, redwood, hornwort and manzanita. These woods are not as dense as other types of aquarium driftwood and will float until they are soaked. Some of them require up to two weeks of curing before they are ready to be used in the aquarium. Some azalea root can still float even after soaking and curing so it is important to pre-soak this driftwood before adding it to the tank.

Some aquarists choose to pre-soak all aquarium wood to prevent any tannins from leaching into the aquarium. This is a good idea especially if you have a very high carbonate hardness (KH) or reverse osmosis water in your tank as these will prevent the tannins from lowering the aquarium water’s pH.

Some of the most popular aquarium woods that can be purchased in pet stores are moss tree, tan-colored mopani, and redwood. These pieces are very attractive and look great when covered with mosses and ferns such as Anubias nana. They are also great hiding places for small fish. Another option is to buy poly-resin driftwood. This is made out of a resin that is molded and painted to look like natural roots and trees. This is a good choice for beginners who are not sure if they can handle the task of caring for real wood. Poly-resin is not as visually appealing as a natural wood piece, but it can still look beautiful in an aquarium. Just make sure to research any wood that you plan to purchase at a pet store. It is important to keep in mind that even wood that looks fine and non-toxic in the air can be toxic when submerged in water.