How Driftwood Contributes to a Healthy Aquarium Environment

The next time you visit the beach, walk along the shore during early morning, late afternoon, or when the tide goes low. During that time, you might see nice pieces of driftwood, which can be branches from trees, wooden planking from wrecked ships, or parts of wooden structures such as a fence. A piece of driftwood provides a very interesting decoration in a hobbyist's aquarium. Indeed, driftwood provides the rustic charm and the earthly ambiance that no artificial aquarium decor can replicate. It tends to complement the aquarium's inhabitants, especially if the fish are quite colourful.

However, a piece of driftwood does not just provide aesthetic value. It is also a main constituent in preserving the health of aquatic flora and fauna. For example, if you are incorporating live marine plants such as java moss in your aquarium, the driftwood serves as an anchor for such plants to take root. When fully grown these plants oxygenate the water effectively, giving fishes the oxygen supply they need while eliminating the need of artificial oxygen pumps.

Although dead, driftwood also contains natural tannins, which slightly lowers the water's pH level or increases its acidity. This is good because many fishes prefer slightly acidic water. The tannins also create a tea-stained appearance in the water, acting as a natural tint for fishes that are sensitive to light. In addition, a piece of natural driftwood is not coated in harmful preservative chemicals in contrast to artificial or store-bought pieces. Finally, for light-sensitive fishes, the cavern-like cavities of driftwood can shelter them.

As you can see, driftwood really contributes to a healthy aquarium environment, so go get some.