Driftwood Types

Why Use Driftwood in an Aquarium?

Driftwood gives an aquascape structure and gives fish shade and hiding places. It also provides surfaces for mosses, ferns and Anubias to attach to and for biofilm, which shrimp and many fish graze.

Some fish depend on it. Many plecos rasp wood as part of their diet, and fish from blackwater habitats feel safer with branches and roots around them.

Common Types of Aquarium Driftwood

Malaysian driftwood is dark, dense and sinks almost at once. Mopani is two-toned, very dense and sinks readily. Spider wood, also sold as azalea root, is light and finely branched. Manzanita is hard and branching, with a smooth reddish surface. Redmoor root is light, twisting and branchy. Cholla is the hollow skeleton of a cactus and suits shrimp tanks.

Names vary between sellers, and “bogwood” is a general term for any dark, waterlogged wood.

How Driftwood Types Differ

Density decides whether wood sinks. Malaysian and mopani usually sink straight away, while spider wood, manzanita and redmoor root often float for days or weeks until they absorb water.

Tannin release also differs. Dense woods such as mopani and Malaysian driftwood often tint the water strongly for weeks, while manzanita and spider wood release less. Soft woods break down faster over the years than hard ones.

Choosing Wood for Your Aquascape

Start with the shape you need. Upright, branching pieces suit tall, open layouts; low, chunky pieces suit caves and bottom-dwelling fish. Make sure the wood fits the tank with room for water circulation and cleaning.

Consider your livestock. Plecos benefit from wood they can rasp, shrimp graze the biofilm on fine branches, and fish from blackwater habitats enjoy the tinted water that tannins create.

Preparing New Driftwood

Scrub new wood with a stiff brush and plain hot water, and remove any soft or rotten parts. Never use soap or household cleaners.

Soak the wood until it sinks and the water stays only lightly coloured, changing the water every day or two. Boil pieces that fit in a pot to speed this up. Tie or weigh down light pieces in the tank if they still float.

Tannins, Biofilm, and Water Chemistry

Tannins tint the water yellow to brown. They are natural compounds and are not harmful to most fish; in soft water they can lower pH slightly. Activated carbon and regular water changes reduce the colour if you prefer clear water.

A white or grey fuzzy film often grows on new wood for the first few weeks. It is harmless, fades on its own and is eaten by shrimp and snails.

Safety and Long-Term Maintenance

Use wood sold for aquarium use, or wood you know is a safe, dead hardwood with no rot, sap, paint or pesticide. Avoid resinous softwoods such as pine and cedar.

Check the wood over the years. Soft areas, a bad smell or crumbling pieces mean it is breaking down and should be removed or replaced.