After reading this article “Types of aquarium driftwood” the reader will be able to know about the 6 best types of aquarium driftwood and their features. He will also know about the places where he or she can find driftwood for his or her aquarium.
Types of aquarium driftwood
Following are the types of aquarium driftwood:
6 Types of aquarium driftwood
Following are the 6 types of aquarium driftwood:
Cholla driftwood
It is one of the inexpensive and readily available driftwood in the market. It is mostly found in the southwest part of the United States of America. It is the dried means of Cholla Cactus. It is the best type of aquarium driftwood that you can use in a freshwater aquarium. The reason for this is because it has the capability of harvesting biofilm on it. It has a low tannin count and takes time to waterlogged.
You can check out the price of this driftwood here.
Bonsai driftwood
It is designer driftwood and is designed by handcrafted artists. It looks like a bonsai tree. It is very beautiful to look at it in the aquarium and the plants growing on it in the planted aquarium. They are expensive because of their design and unique bonsai tree resemblance.
They are not very good for fancy goldfish tanks and betta fish care. The favorite type of plant growing on it is mosses. They also have a small amount of tannin and can lower the pH of the tank.
This driftwood can lower the pH of the tank. This driftwood can soften the water of your aquarium and so it has a positive impact on your planted aquarium.
Advantages of this driftwood are:
- It has a fantastic look.
- It lowers the pH and softens the water
Disadvantages of this driftwood art:
- It is expensive
- It takes time to adjust it in aquascape
You can check out the price here.
Mopani driftwood
It is unique driftwood because of its 2 tone color combinations. It is sold by the largest brand in the world and comes straight from the plains of Namibia by local tribesmen. It is readily available. It has a high tannin count and lowers the pH of your aquarium. It gained so much popularity because of the largest brand selling this driftwood.
This driftwood is great to use in aquariums. It is available in many sizes. The only thing that is not likable is its tannin count. Most of the sellers will say that it adds a slight tint to the water of the aquarium, but that is just covering up for the high tannin count.
Advantages of this aquarium driftwood are:
- Great price
- Well picked specimen
Disadvantages of this driftwood are:
- High tannin count
You can check out the price here.
Spider wood
This type of aquarium driftwood has a varied pattern of branches and it gives a spider appearance to this driftwood and so it is named spider wood. It is imported so it is inexpensive as compared to other driftwoods. It matures in aquariums and has a Mahogany color appearance. It has a low tannin quantity and so it takes less time to waterlog.
The advantage of this driftwood are:
- Great price
- Exotic looking pieces
- The sellers have sizable pieces
Disadvantages of this driftwood are:
- The look is not for everyone
You can check out the price here.
Manzanita driftwood
Manzanita is the best type of aquarium driftwood that is available in the market. It has many advantages over other driftwood. The biggest advantage is it is pH neutral. No change of pH is seen in aquariums having this type of aquarium driftwood. It waterlogged the fastest among all the aquarium driftwood. It is mostly used in aquarium aquascapes.
People are interested in buying this type of aquarium driftwood because most of the fishes do not survive on lower pH. It has a low tannin count and looks very amazing. It is resistant to decomposition and is long-lasting and robust. It plays a part in aquarium decoration. You need to make an aquarium terrarium for your plants.
It comes straight from the shrubs (like that of azalea) of New Mexico, California, and Texas. This driftwood is expensive as it is in demand nowadays. It is not readily available and is difficult to find in the market. Only a few online sellers sell such kind of driftwood.
Manzanita is the friendliest driftwood in the market as most of the aquarium fish owners like it. It is sold in large pieces and is high-quality driftwood which you will not find along the bank of a river. The stock is often limited so you should buy it as early as possible before the seller runs off the stock.
Manzanita driftwood is found across the western part of North America and people produce this wood mainly for selling purposes.
Advantages of this type of aquarium driftwood are;
- Manzanita driftwood
- Large pieces
- Inexpensive
Disadvantages of this driftwood are:
- Availability
You can check out the price here.
Tiger wood
This type of aquarium driftwood gets its name by the tiger stores like branches or the claws of the tiger. It has a pale colour and has a branched look that is thicker than most of the branched type of aquarium driftwood. They are generally available in large pieces. They have a low count of tannin and generally water log very quickly. It is very good to attach fern and mosses.
The tiger wood has thicker branches that is why it is best for large aquariums in which it is an amazing showcase. Due to its low tannin count, it is easy to prepare for the aquarium.
Advantages of this driftwood are:
- Has a unique branch shape
- It is easy to prepare for the aquarium
- It is an amazing showcase
Disadvantages of this driftwood are:
- The look of this driftwood is not for everyone
You can check out the price of this driftwood here.
Where can you buy these aquarium driftwoods?
Following are the ways by which you can get your aquarium driftwood:
In Nature
If you live along the bank of the rivers, lakes and seas you can find the driftwood of your choice very easily. The driftwood is readily available along the bank of the rivers or lakes. This is the natural location of the driftwood to be found.
The only challenge you face will be the type of driftwood that you are looking for and the dangerous driftwood choices. You need to spend some time looking for your favourite driftwood and then save driftwood for your aquarium. Some driftwood contains toxic substances which can kill your fish.
When you find your wood the next step is to observe it. Many driftwoods are straight coming from farms or highways. This kind of driftwood contains fertilizers and pesticides and is very harmful to your fish and aquarium water itself. You also need to look for the halfway part if you think the wood is laying there for a very long time.
You also need to know the rules of the area in which you are hunting for driftwood. If it is private property you should take permission for such kind of activity. Many parks also declared the collection and hunting of driftwood as illegal property.
If you find a driftwood piece that is legal to collect and safe to use in your aquarium then the next step is to boil it to remove any kind of parasite, microorganisms and fungus on it. After boiling and soaking the next thing you should do is to brush the driftwood to remove unnecessary debris from the driftwood.
Pet Stores
The second place where you will find the driftwood of your desired nature’s pet stores. Pet stores all over the world have prepared driftwood in their pert stores. You just need to look for the desired choice. This store also contains some driftwood that is used in reptiles aquariums. You do not need to purchase that.
Do some research before buying the right driftwood for your aquarium. Many driftwood works well in air but does not work well in water. They leech toxic substances in the water.
The speciality aquarium stores also have driftwood of high quality. There are several types of aquarium driftwood available for use in your aquarium. The first one is an exotic type like dried Willow Branches which is available on sale or request. The second one is cholla which is available in smaller pieces.
Internet
The third-place where you find your desired driftwood is the internet. It is the best way to buy driftwood because you can compare prices and also the sizes of driftwood available in the online store.
Conclusion
In this article “Types of aquarium driftwood” we have discussed the 6 best types of aquarium driftwood in the market. You also discuss the places where you find this driftwood.
Feel free to ask anything about “Types of aquarium driftwood” in the comment section below.
FAQ; Types of aquarium driftwood
Frequently asked questions of “Types of aquarium driftwood” are:
Which wood is best for driftwood?
Following are the best type of wood for driftwood:
- Ribbon Wood
- Beefwood
- Malaysian driftwood
- Rose Wood roots
- Australian Pine
Can you use any wood as driftwood?
No, you cannot use every kind of wood as driftwood. You can only use a specific type of driftwood for your aquarium. Some woods are safe to use as driftwood and others are not. Some wood releases tannins which are not beneficial for your aquarium.
Will driftwood kill my fish?
Yes, in some cases when you do not use the safe driftwood for your aquarium. There are several driftwoods available in the market and you have to choose the safe one and the right one for your aquarium. There is reptile driftwood which contains toxic chemicals which are harmful to your aquarium and fish. Please avoid using the driftwood that is found outside your home or on the bank of most of the rivers.
What kind of driftwood do Plecos like?
Malaysian driftwood is the best choice for Plecos. The Mopani driftwood is very hard. Manzanita does not provide hiding spaces to the fish in the aquarium.
What does Driftwood do to aquarium water?
Driftwood plays an important role in boosting the immune system of the fishes. The fishes also use driftwood for breeding, hiding and for food purposes. The tannin leach due to driftwood in the aquarium which creates an acidic environment that keeps the disease-causing pathogens like virus and bacteria out of the tank.
How do you secure driftwood in an aquarium?
You can attach a weight to your driftwood by the help of the super glue. This will keep the aquarium driftwood in place and your freshwater fish will enjoy this aquarium driftwood company. It is hard to clean the driftwood when attached with the super glue.
References
https://aquariumstoredepot.com/blogs/news/best-driftwood-for-aquariums
https://www.hunker.com/12580293/how-to-make-a-terrarium-out-of-a-fish-tank
