Have you ever found a piece of driftwood on the beach and thought it would make a great addition to your aquarium? If so, you’re in luck! Driftwood can add a lot of character to an aquarium, but it’s important to sanitize it before adding it to the tank. We’ll show you how to do just that in this blog post. Stay safe and have fun!
When acquiring driftwood for your aquarium, be sure it’s a hardwood rather than a softwood, as softwoods decay and rot in the aquarium at an accelerated rate. It can also leach sap into the water. Choose something free of rotten or bug-infested sections and is a pure white color.
Place the driftwood in a deep enough container to allow for some movement.
The piece should be no larger than an inch or two in length and three inches diameter. Once it’s there, scrub the driftwood clean with a clean brush to remove any dirt or grime. Don’t use soap or other chemicals to clean it. Any
You then have three ways to Sanitize the driftwood:
- Boil it – The ideal option. This is the method to go if you have a big enough tank and a tiny item. It will make later getting that lovely piece of wood to sink into your aquarium easier if it is boiled for a few hours.
- Bake it – For those larger pieces, bake the driftwood for 2-12 hours at 200-215 degrees Fahrenheit. The wood will be dried out, making it more difficult to sink later on.
- Bleach it – What you’d need to do is fill an aquarium with water. Pour a little bleach into it (a 55-gallon tub should hold enough for about seven gallons). Let the driftwood sit in the solution for a day or two. Do a 30% of the water change and empty the tank. Fill the tank with water and a 4x dose of de-chlorinator. Allow it to soak in this for a few days, change the water, and add new water, de-chlorinating freshwater as if it contains fish. Change the water in your aquarium yourself for approximately four days, then drain and refill it with fresh water for the fish. Similarly, you must be cautious! The only reason to utilize this technique is that the Log is TOO LARGE for a pot or an oven.
Sinking your Driftwood
It might take many weeks for your driftwood to settle in your aquarium. I’ve always been too anxious to leave it in a bucket for a month or two. I want it right there in my tank!
There are a few ways to do this within your tank.
- Hold it down with a few large rocks – Place a few larger stones on the log to make it look more natural.
- Push it into the substrate a bit – Also push it deep into the substrate, so that the large boulders utilize the sand/gravel. By using this approach, there will be less buoyancy.
- Boil it – Another option is to soak the driftwood in water and boil it, as boiling does the trick of sanitizing it completely.
HOW TO PREPARE DRIFTWOOD FOR AQUARIUMS?
Driftwood adds beauty to the aquarium while also providing several advantages, including superior usefulness. It also improves the water quality and creates a natural and suitable habitat for your fish.
On the other hand, commercial driftwood is not inexpensive, so learning how to create driftwood for aquariums might be a good idea.
Collecting Driftwood for your Aquarium
The first thing you need to do is collect the right kind of driftwood for your fish tank. Check rivers, seas, and other bodies of water for clean driftwood that hasn’t been polluted or contaminated by oil.
There are some other factors to consider when buying driftwood. You’ll need to think about the type, size, and shape of the wood before you purchase. If you can chop it, collecting a lot of it is preferable.
Finally, avoid using softwood driftwood in your aquarium. This is because it will not endure long in your fish tank. You’ll have a hard time sinking it as well, which isn’t very convenient.
Preparing Driftwood for Your Aquarium
Prepare driftwood for your aquarium by removing any rocks or other debris that may cause harm to fish and invertebrates, then seal the wood in an airtight container. Cleaning, curing and learning how how to treat driftwood for aquarium are all important stages in the process.
It might be challenging to prepare the driftwood, but it is an essential step in making your fish tank seem more natural.
Installing the Driftwood in the Aquarium
The next step is to place the driftwood in your aquarium after cleaning and fully preparing it. There will be times when the driftwood rises to the water’s surface as soon as it’s placed in your fish tank.
This is natural, but it will eventually sink naturally, albeit with some delay. If you’re having trouble sinking your driftwood, put it in a water container for a week or more.
If you can’t prevent the driftwood from floating while it’s submerged, there are things you may try. It might be easier to secure it or put something heavy on top. It could take a month for the buoyancy to arrive and make the driftwood submerge beneath the water.
When the driftwood is completely immersed, check the water level and make sure it’s still in your aquarium.
You may alter the water level as needed. After a few days, you can also check on the clarity of the water and make any necessary changes if there are any.
CONCLUSION
Driftwood is a beautiful addition to your fish tank’s ecosystem. If you don’t have enough money, you may learn how to create driftwood for aquariums and still uplifft the beauty of your fish tank without spending too much.
