How to Sink Driftwood

Driftwood is an attractive addition to most any fish aquarium's substrate, providing both saltwater and freshwater species a place to dart and hide, and replicating their natural environment. But most driftwood is buoyant. Though driftwood will eventually sink when left floating on top of water, the extended process of soaking the wood from the inside out can take more time than the average aquarium owner is willing to wait. Fortunately, there are many ways of accelerating the driftwood-sinking process.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium-safe silicone
  • Slate pieces
  • Fishing line
  • Aquarium plants
  • Drill
  • Molten lead
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Instructions

  1. Sinking Driftwood With Slate

    • 1

      Lay a thin line of silicone along the bottom of each piece of driftwood.

    • 2

      Attach a piece of slate to each line of silicone, pressing firmly to secure it in place. Wait for the silicone to dry.

    • 3

      Drop the driftwood gently into the aquarium, slate-side down. The driftwood will sink to the bottom.

    Submerging Driftwood with Fishing Line

    • 4

      Tie a length of fishing line to a piece of driftwood.

    • 5

      Tie the other end of the line to an aquarium plant.

    • 6

      Embed the aquarium plant in the tank's substrate. The submerged piece of driftwood will eventually sink to the bottom.

    Weighting Driftwood with Lead

    • 7

      Drill three small holes in the bottom of a piece of driftwood.

    • 8

      Fill each hole with molten lead.

    • 9

      Seal the holes with silicone.

    • 10

      Drop the driftwood piece gently into the aquarium, lead-side down. It will sink to the bottom.