Driftwood FAQ

[rocketshrimp]

Can driftwood lean against the glass or will it put to much pressure on the glass? Not sure about this because driftwood is not as heavy and dense as rocks, but it's still pretty heavy.

[depthC]

Yes driftwood can lean against the glass. Most of the pressure will still be put down towards the gravel since the physics of gravity still apply in water. So there isnt much worry about the driftwood leaning against the glass and causing any damage.

- depthC

[rocketshrimp]

Thanks

[supahtim]

great FAQ!!

but what types of wood ARE good for an aquarium?

and if i were to go out and get the wood myself from the outdoors, would i have to boil or bleech it? is it good to just throw it in a bucket with really hot water and a powerhead??

how long do you have to decontamonate the wood for?

Thanks,

Tim

[depthC]

If you can find any natural driftwood along a river or stream that will be fine. Im not sure which woods ARE good for use since there are so many. But if you can find driftwood that would be fine. Ive heard of others using old dried up branches and such for a tank.

You should clean the wood by some method, wheather it be boiling or a bleach solution thats up to you and the size of the driftwood. Boiling pulls out all the tannins and a good amount of the fungus and such, but this weakens the wood structure and causes it to last not as long.

If you were to bleach it would kill all of the germs but not get rid of much of the tannins. So if youd like and the wood is large, or to large for boiling, use a bleach solution for a day or two then put it in a large container with a power head and change the water often. This will rid the wood of all the bleach and a good amount of tannins. As for the length of this 'decontamination' it depends on what your satisfied with.

- depthC

[supahtim]

awesome thanks!

what are tannins though? lol

Tim

[depthC]

Tannins cause discoloration of your water. Some driftwoods can make your water a dark brown or a very little tint of it. I personally like a verly little tint in my water it gives off a natural feel in the right setup. The tannins may also lower your pH, but i havent heard from anybody that has experienced this and the amount of change they have caused.

- depthC

[Almondeye]

hi there,
I understand driftwood will lower ph, but what is the lowest it will go? What happns when i change water; will the ph go up? And will this Ph change be dangerous to my fishes?

Newbie

[Kuroshio]

well I've been looking all over for info on wood, and here it has been all along. Not all inclusive, but answers quite a few of my questions. I know that it's a little old, but info is still good! Thanks for those involved!!

*BUMP*

[sony]

I want to use an one meter long driftwood in my 180g cichlid tank, is ok? I am worry about pH since driftwood can lower pH.

Thanks
Sony