Types of Driftwood to Lower Water Hardness

When placed in an aquarium, all types of aquarium-safe driftwood releases tannins -- vegetable-protein compounds --- into the water. The tannins bond with the minerals, proteins and other matter that makes the water "hard," and therefore soften the water. Tannins are harmless to fish, and may even provide health benefits to fish specially adapted to tannin-rich water, such as betta splendens.

  1. Self-Gathered Driftwood

    • Driftwood can be gathered from a body of water local to you, and can be found in infinite sizes and shapes. In order to sink this driftwood into the aquarium, it must be soaked until completely waterlogged, or it must be attached to slate or other piece of rock that will keep it at the bottom of the tank. The driftwood also must be boiled before being placed in the tank, or it will release an excessive amount of tannins into your tank -- though tannins are generally harmless, most fish aren't adapted to live in incredibly tannin-rich "black water." Driftwood you have gathered yourself also must be boiled to rid it of any other toxins that may harm your aquarium.

    African Root

    • African root is commonly available at aquarium or pet shops. It doesn't require mounting onto slate or to be waterlogged to sink; it sinks on its own. It has one smooth side and one gnarled side --- it doesn't look like most naturally occurring driftwood.

    Malaysian Driftwood

    • Malaysian driftwood has long branches, is usually the washed-out brown color of most common varieties of driftwood found in nature, and comes in a vast range of sizes and shapes. It doesn't need to be attached to slate or soaked in water to sink; it sinks naturally. Plants, such as Java fern, attach well to Malaysian driftwood.

    African Driftwood

    • African driftwood is relatively expensive, because most pieces are very old -- even hundreds of years old. African driftwood is unusually dark, tends to have grown into intricate shapes and some pieces are ribbed in texture. Some pieces might be hollow, but all are self-sinking.