Preparing and sinking aquarium wood

You've bought a beautiful piece of wood for your aquarium. You can already picture it: a sturdy branch as a centerpiece or a weathered piece that will support your plants. But then... it stubbornly floats to the surface or turns your water as brown as strong tea. 😅 Don't panic! With a little preparation, you can aquarium-proof your wood and ensure it stays put.

Rinse aquarium wood thoroughly, gently brush away any dirt and loose bark, and let it soak until it sinks naturally. Tannins will stain your water brown, but they are not harmful. Only in quarantine or specialty tanks should you boil wood to completely sterilize everything.

At Aquania, every piece of wood is uniquely designed with a photo, dimensions, and video, so you know exactly what's in your tank. Click here to shop >

What is driftwood and why prepare?

Driftwood is the ultimate natural decor for your aquarium. It creates a real jungle vibe, provides hiding places for fish and shrimp, and often forms the foundation of your aquascape. But wood doesn't come "plug and play" out of the box: the fibers still contain air and tannins that turn your water brown. Preparing it ensures that the wood slowly absorbs water and sinks smoothly. And honestly: better to soak it now than have fish living in a floating tree later. 😉

Which types of wood for the aquarium?

Here are the most popular types of aquarium wood you'll find at Aquania :

Mangrove wood (driftwood) : a classic in aquariums, it usually sinks well and releases tannins for a natural look.
Dragon wood : a whimsical shape with plenty of character. It floats a bit longer, but adds a spectacular look to your aquascape.
Mopani wood : incredibly heavy and often sinking quickly. Initially, it releases a lot of tannins, ideal for a dark jungle vibe.
Spiderwood : full of branches, making it a real eye-catcher. It can float for a long time; temporarily weighing it down with a stone or suction cups with wire helps.
Talawa wood : light, playful branches perfect for tying moss or plants. It often takes a bit of patience before it sinks.

Unique to Aquania : every piece of wood you see in the webshop is truly that specific piece . With photos, dimensions, and even a video. This way, you know 100% for sure what will end up in your aquarium. No guesswork, no surprises.

Types of wood that we (prefer not to) recommend

Softwoods (pine, spruce, cedar): contain resins/oils that can leak and affect your water quality.
Stained/varnished/impregnated decorative wood : chemical coatings are unsuitable for aquariums.
Fresh or “green” wood (insufficiently dried): rots and molds quickly under water.
Grapewood : known for rapid mold formation and poor durability under water.
Eucalyptus, oleander, yew and other species with toxic oils/substances : risk to fish and shrimps.
Unknown origin (e.g. garden centre decoration with glue/metal parts): possibility of glue residue, metals or salt/chemicals.

Unsure about a piece of wood you already have? Feel free to send us a photo via WhatsApp; we'll take a look and give you honest advice.

How do you prepare driftwood? Step by step

Rinsing: Hold the wood under running water and rinse away sand and loose bits.
Brushing: Use a soft brush to remove surface dirt. Bark? Remove it, as it often rots in your tank.
Soaking: Place the wood in a bucket or bath of water. This can take days to weeks, depending on the type of wood. Change the water occasionally to flush out the tannins. Only do this if you want to rinse them away.
Patience: Once the wood sinks naturally into the bucket, it's ready to steal the show in your aquarium.
Special case: For quarantine or breeding tanks, you can boil the wood to kill bacteria. Be aware that this also removes beneficial substances and some of the tannins.

Checklist

Aquarium-suitable hardwood (Mopani, Red Moor, Spiderwood, Ironwood)
✔ Brush and running water
✔ Bucket or container for soaking
✔ Optional: cooking pot (for quarantine containers)
✔ Temporary weight or suction cups

Conclusion

With a little preparation, your wood won't just be a floating branch, but a beautiful, stable focal point in your aquarium. Take your time soaking it and enjoy the natural look that wood provides. Want to be 100% sure about what you're buying? At Aquania, you can see every piece of wood with photos, dimensions, and a video. This way, you can shop for the perfect piece that will make your tank unique.

Read more: Aquarium Refresh Product Tip(s): Aquarium Wood , Suction Cups with Wire .