| DIY driftwood takes time, but it will | | | | also add salt if you want). If the wood |
| save you tons of money. Some small | | | | does not sink place something on top of |
| pieces cost well over $20. Also, the | | | | it until it does. It'll sink after a |
| soak method (minus salt) will work for | | | | week or two. You'll notice the water |
| store bought driftwood. Store bought | | | | turn into tea-ish color. It is the |
| driftwood is cleaned and has not been | | | | result of the tannins that are released |
| soaked. This may lead to tannin's being | | | | into the water. If you didn't soak the |
| leaked into your tank | | | | wood, the water in your tank would be |
| What you'll need: | | | | this color. Tannins are natural and some |
| Driftwood, which can be found anywhere. | | | | fishes actually like it because it'll |
| It doesn't necessarily have to come from | | | | make them feel more at home. It'll also |
| the water. You could find it in the | | | | affect your PH, I'm not sure about GH or |
| woods, as long as it is weathered down | | | | KH. You'll need to do water changes |
| and looks unique. Also make sure the | | | | every other day to clean the water. This |
| wood is not rotting. | | | | may take weeks or months. |
| BIG soaking container, I use a 15 gal | | | | When the color of the soak water |
| rubber maid container. | | | | suffices, you will need to soak your |
| Aquarium Salt, I use Doc Wellfish brand. | | | | wood for another week without any salt. |
| This is used as a natural way of killing | | | | This will make sure that the wood does |
| bacteria and parasites. | | | | not hold any salt that may leak into |
| First step, clean off your wood! Make | | | | your tank. |
| sure all debris and bark are removed | | | | Once soaking is complete wash the wood |
| from the wood (or it'll fall off in your | | | | well and transfers the wood into your |
| tank!). Once complete, boil the water in | | | | tank. Do not keep the wood out of water |
| the BIG pot and add aquarium salt. I use | | | | for a long time or it will float. |
| about a tablespoon per gallon. Boil the | | | | For more information and pictures about |
| entire piece for about 2-4 hours | | | | this project, please visit |
| depending on your size. If you can only | | | | For more information and pictures about |
| fit half the wood in the pot then you | | | | this project, please visit and check |
| will need to boil the other half. | | | | the DIY section. |
| Once the boil is complete you can | | | | Article written by , member of CFT |
| transfer your wood into the rubber maid | | | | Community |
| container. Add water until the whole | | | | Proof read by Brandan Njagu b. |
| piece of wood is under water (you can | | | | |