The short answer
Prepare driftwood by soaking or boiling it before it goes in the tank. This does two jobs: it waterlogs the wood so it sinks instead of bobbing, and it leaches out tannins so they don’t turn your water brown. Boiling is the fast route; soaking is the no-equipment route. Either way, a little prep saves you a floating, water-staining mess later.
Why driftwood needs prep
Fresh driftwood is full of air, so it floats, and it’s loaded with tannins — natural compounds that tint the water a tea colour. Neither is dangerous (tannins are actually good for blackwater fish), but most people want the wood to stay put and the water to stay clear. Prep tackles both before the wood ever meets your fish.
How to do it
- Boiling: simmer the wood for an hour or two. It sinks faster, releases tannins quickly and sterilises the surface. Best for pieces that fit a large pot.
- Soaking: submerge the wood in a bucket, weighed down, and change the water every few days. It can take a week or more but suits big pieces that won’t boil.
If it still won’t sink
Some dense woods stay buoyant for weeks. Until they’re fully waterlogged, weigh them down or attach them to a piece of slate so they hold position — see how to stop driftwood floating. Once saturated, they’ll sink on their own.
Scaping with it
Prepared driftwood is a centrepiece of natural aquascapes and pairs beautifully with sand and low-light plants. See aquascaping for beginners, and for the substrate underneath it, the substrate hub. Also check whether your rocks are safe before combining hardscape.