Preparing Your Driftwood for a Natural Aquarium

Aquarium hobbyists know the drill: it can take weeks before you get to enjoy the various elements of your fish tank all at once.

New tank? Cycle it first.

Fish? Quarantine them.

Plants? Clean, Quarantine, trim, plant, and wait for them to grow into anything decent..

Driftwood? Cleaning, soaking, Boiling...

While you don’t exactly quarantine driftwood, there are a few steps you must do before plonking them into your tank.

The preparation can take up to a month (depending on how thorough you want to be), but I assure you, it’s well worth it.

Why Prepare Driftwood?

Driftwood can transform an ordinary tank into a stunning underwater landscape. It's not just about looks, though. Driftwood provides valuable hiding spots for fish and promotes beneficial bacterial growth.

But here's the catch: when you add driftwood to your aquarium, you might end up with cloudy, tea-colored water.

Don't panic, though. This cloudiness is caused by tannins leaching from the wood. 

Also, there’s a chance untreated driftwood harbors unwanted hitchhikers, like pests, bacteria, fungi, and mold.

But with proper driftwood preparation, you can prevent these issues and enjoy all the benefits of this natural decor.

Choosing the Right Driftwood

When it comes to types of aquarium driftwood, you've got options. We like working with Mopani driftwood, which is dense and sinks quickly. It's great for larger tanks but can release a lot of tannins.

Spiderwood, on the other hand, is lighter and more intricate. It's perfect for creating eye-catching layouts and bonsai, but it might float at first.

Malaysian driftwood falls somewhere in between.

Here's a crucial tip: always choose driftwood specifically for aquariums.

Avoid pieces from hardware, craft, or flower shops, as they are usually treated with chemicals.

These types can harm your fish. Pet stores and online aquarium suppliers offer safe options for your fish and shrimp health.

Remember, each type of driftwood has its quirks. Denser woods like Mopani might need less prep to sink, while lighter ones could require longer soaking. Pick what suits your tank size, fish species, and personal style.

Just be ready to put in the prep work we'll cover next!

But first, here's a quick rundown to help you decide which driftwood is right for you:

Mopani Congo driftwood

• Ideal for larger cichlids like Oscars or Jack Dempseys.
• Great for plecos, who love to rasp on its harder surface.
• For Biotope aquariums, works well with most African species

Spiderwood

• Perfect for nano tanks with small fish like tetras or rasboras.
• Shrimp absolutely love it—they'll spend hours picking at it.
• Bettas enjoy swimming through its intricate branches.
• Great for creating arrangements with Buce, Anubias, Ferns, and Mosses. Just tie with thin fishing line, cotton sewing thread, or fine wire.

Malaysian driftwood

• Good all-rounder, suitable for most community tanks.
• Particularly good for blackwater setups with fish like discus or angelfish.
• Gouramis often use their flatter surfaces for bubble nest-building.

Remember, these are general guidelines. Most fish will adapt to any safe driftwood. The key is providing hiding spots and maintaining good water quality. Always research your specific fish species for the best match.

Essential Driftwood Preparation Steps

Step 1: Initial Cleaning

Start by cleaning driftwood for your aquarium. I use a stiff brush and hot water to scrub off dirt, algae, and loose bark. No soap—it's harmful to fish! Check crevices for hitchhikers like snails or insects.

Step 2: Soaking the Driftwood

Soaking is crucial. It leaches out tannins, and water loads the wood, preventing floating. I've tried both hot and cold water methods, but hot water works faster.

But not too hot, or it might crack the driftwood. Cold is fine if you're patient.

Change the water daily. You'll see it turn tea-colored from the leaching tannins.

For stubborn pieces, I've had success adding aquarium salt (1 tablespoon per gallon) to the soaking water. It can speed up the process. Some folks use hydrogen peroxide, but be careful. Stick to salt if you're unsure.

The time needed varies. Light driftwoods might take a week, while dense pieces could need a month or more. Don't rush it. Proper soaking saves headaches later.

Step 3: Testing the Driftwood 

Place the driftwood in clean water to test if it’s ready for your aquarium. It should sink easily and not discolor the water much. There should be no debris coming off it.

If it floats or turns the water brown quickly, keep soaking. Patience pays off here.

Step 4: Final Touches 

For a polished look, try sanding rough spots on your driftwood.

Boiling for ten minutes can speed up tannin release and sterilize the wood. Just be careful—boiling can make some wood more prone to breaking.
However, scrubbing it clean first reduces the chances of cracking when boiled.

Keep in mind also that tannins can be beneficial to your tank. It's a different fish-keeping philosophy, and not for everyone. If you are looking to create a blackwater or biotope aquarium, you'll want to preserve as much tannin release as possible.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Want to speed up the process? Try using reverse osmosis (RO) water for driftwood soaking. It's super pure, so it absorbs tannins faster than tap water. Many hobbyists had great results with this method.

Just remember, RO water can be pricey. If you're on a budget, stick with regular water changes. It'll just take a bit longer.