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What is Driftwood? This is any kind of wood debris caught in rotating ocean currents and deposited on the shorelines or beaches of the world. They may be found on the banks of rivers, lakes, beaches, or by the seaside. Nothing is wasted by nature, and although old dried-up wood may be unsightly for some humans, animal life benefits from it as a habitat for birds, such as seagulls; beavers utilize it in the making of dams, and it is also a quiet retreat for fish escaping the predators of the sea.
Major Sources of Seaborne Wood
There are various sources from which wood coming out of the sea is derived. Some are a result of trees uprooted during a flood, during violent windstorms, as in tornadoes, tsunamis, or cyclones. They may arise from the flotsam and jetsam of shipwrecked ocean-going vessels. Flotsam refers to the remains of wooden crafts such as ships and boats, and jetsam to the wooden kegs and cargoes lost from ships at sea.
Uses of Driftwood
Man, in cooperating with nature, rather than being offended and overcome by the various deposits of old wood, has discovered several ways to put it to good use. As a result, it has been used in various art forms, such as sculpture, home and garden decor, furniture making, and enhancing the scenery of fish tanks and large aquariums.
Materials soaked in water containing large amounts of chlorine releases PCDDS when burnt. Wood cast ashore is water-logged from seawater and absorbed great quantities of chlorine, therefore, it is not safe to be burnt due to the carcinogens emitted into the air, which may affect persons coming into close contact with the fumes.
The most popular use of this type of wood is to provide ambiance for fish tanks and aquariums. You can acquire this either by beach combing or find a nursery with it for sale. To get the full effect of your Aquarium, the wood should be treated prior to use. Being in the sea for an undisclosed time and then lying around for even longer periods, wood is exposed to diverse elements and contaminants.
It is important that your marine life does not come in contact with the wood until thoroughly cleaned and has lost most of the tannic acid, which will cause a dark brown discoloration of the water in your fish tank. Cleaning is simple and entails either boiling the wood in water to remove the contaminants and render it safe or soaking it in a mixture of bleach and water to achieve the same purpose. In either case, thorough rinsing of the wood is required after treatment before placing it in your Aquarium.
Best wood for your Aquarium
A hard variety of it is best as it sinks easily and remains unaided at the bottom of the tank. It can be found in most plant nurseries for sale. They include the standard type found on most beaches and waterways in the US and come in different sizes and shapes, which you can trim or carve to suit your purpose. They are usually hard and sink easily to the bottom. To this can be affixed ferns or other colorful aquarium plant decorations to create your own special effect.
Other exotic types of aquarium driftwood include African or Savannah roots, Malaysian roots, and African wood. These are all hardwoods that sink easily. You will not need to soak them until they are water-logged. This ensures quick application into your tank and efficient set up of your plants and other decor. If the wood of your choice tends to float when placed in the tank, you can anchor it to a rock using a transparent fish line, which will not detract from the ambiance of your Aquarium and will provide the effect you desire.
