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Aquarium wood or Driftwood pieces act as creative and decorative sculptures in many aquariums but they serve as more than just ornaments in these underwater structures. They help to anchor various plants and lower pH levels in the water. Aquarium wood also functions as a mimic to the natural environment where fish originally come from. It provides a place for fish to hide, breed and spawn.
What to look for aquarium wood :
When looking for a new piece of aquarium wood you’ll want to know what you are looking for.
You want a very hard, dense wood. Soft wood decays too quickly and is not very practical for keeping a clean fish tank.
Look for unique shapes that you can set up alone or together with other pieces and plants. If you have several pieces you can lean them against each other to create more crevices and places to hide. The right layout can maximize your aquarium’s visual appeal.
Aquarium Wood Precautions :
Finding that perfect piece of aquarium wood is easier said than done. When you go to an aquatic retailer, they may have a variety of aquarium wood to fit your needs. That is because professional gatherers know exactly what types of woods are useable and what types are not. Be aware that aquarium wood can absorb and hold onto poisons such as weed killers or fertilizers which are very lethal to fish. Be careful not to use aquarium wood that have been found too close to cities or polluted water. A few days of soaking can remedy this problem and your aquarium wood will be ready for use.
Aquarium Wood Note:
Aquarium wood that have not been soaked for very long will leak tannic acid turning your aquarium water a yellowish-brown color. This is perfectly ok and some fish will actually feel more comfortable but it does lower the pH level of your water so you’ll want to monitor the acidity.
Varieties of Aquarium Wood:
1. Mopani aquarium wood is a dense, hard wood that can be found in parts of Africa. It is known for having unique shapes and interesting color patterns. With grains of chocolate brown contrasting with light, sandy streaks, this wood is one that is highly desired for many aquariums.
2. Malaysian Aquarium Driftwood is really popular among aquarists. Coming from Asia aquarium wood is very more, very dense which causes it to sink nicely to the bottom. Malaysian aquarium driftwood comes in many unique shapes and is the most readily available in tropical aquatic retail stores.
3. Bog wood is a wood that has already been soaked for years and years. No one can really say exactly how long it has been soaking. Bog conditions work as a natural preserve for aquarium wood and other things. When bog wood dries it starts to decay and split. Splitting isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it might add more character to an already interesting piece.
4. Poly-resin aquarium driftwood is not real wood. It is a synthetic resin molded and painted to look like real tree roots or hollowed out logs. You can find these decorations with or without fake moss or plants, depending on the theme of your aquarium. They come in all different shapes and sizes. This type of wood is used for aesthetics and hiding spots in an aquarium. It does not change the chemistry of the water and it will not produce debris. This will allow your fish tank water to remain clearer for longer.
Aquarium wood plays an important role in many aquarium environments. Carefully, well-selected pieces will benefit your fish community more than you’ll ever know.
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