To get your aquarium wood to sink, you primarily need to make it waterlogged by soaking or boiling it until it absorbs enough water to become heavier than the water it displaces.
Aquarium wood, often called driftwood, initially floats because it's full of air pockets. Over time, as these pockets fill with water, the wood loses its buoyancy and sinks. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks or even months, depending on the type, size, and density of the wood. Fortunately, there are methods to speed this up.
Why Does Aquarium Wood Float?
Wood is porous, meaning it contains many tiny spaces that hold air. When placed in water, this trapped air makes the wood less dense than the surrounding water, causing it to float according to Archimedes' principle of buoyancy. To sink, the wood needs to absorb enough water to replace the air, increasing its density.
Proven Methods to Sink Aquarium Wood
Several effective methods can help prepare your aquarium wood for submersion.
1. Boiling the Wood
Boiling is one of the fastest ways to prepare and sink aquarium wood.
- Process: Submerge the wood completely in a pot of warm to hot water and bring it to a boil.
- Duration: As indicated in the reference, boiling usually takes an hour. Large pieces may need longer. You might need to boil it in sections if it's too large for one pot.
- Benefits:
- Speeds up Sinking: The hot water expands the wood's pores, allowing water to enter more quickly.
- Sterilizes: Kills potential pests, bacteria, and fungi.
- Reduces Tannins: Helps release tannins, the compounds that can stain aquarium water brown. Boiling releases tannins much faster than soaking alone.
- Check: After boiling, let the wood cool and test if it sinks. Repeat the process if necessary.
2. Soaking the Wood
Soaking is a simpler but often slower method compared to boiling.
- Process: Submerge the wood completely in a container filled with water. Using warm to hot water can help speed up the process slightly, as mentioned in the reference.
- Duration: The reference notes that soaking "takes a bit longer" than boiling. The time required "really depends on the type of wood". It could take days, weeks, or even months for the wood to become fully waterlogged and sink.
- Benefits:
- Simple: Requires minimal effort beyond finding a suitable container.
- Reduces Tannins: While slower than boiling, soaking also helps leach out tannins over time. Changing the water frequently will help remove tannins faster.
- Check: Periodically test the wood to see if it sinks.
3. Weighing Down the Wood
This is a temporary or supplementary method.
- Process: Place heavy rocks or aquarium-safe weights on top of the wood inside the aquarium to hold it down.
- Use: This method works well while the wood is naturally becoming waterlogged inside the tank. It ensures the wood stays in place and eventually sinks on its own. You can often remove the weights after a few days or weeks once the wood is waterlogged.
- Note: Ensure the weights are secure and won't damage the wood or tank.
4. Curing Outdoors
For very large or stubborn pieces, outdoor curing is an option.
- Process: Leave the wood submerged in a large tub or container of water outdoors for an extended period (weeks to months).
- Benefits: Allows nature (like algae or bacteria) to help break down surface layers and open pores, facilitating water absorption.
- Caution: Ensure the water doesn't freeze in winter climates and that the wood is not exposed to pollutants. Always clean and ideally boil or soak the wood in fresh water before adding it to an aquarium.
Tips for Success
- Patience is Key: Some types of wood are denser and take much longer to sink than others. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't sink immediately.
- Type of Wood Matters: Hardwoods generally take longer to sink than softer woods. Malaysian driftwood and Manzanita are popular choices that tend to sink relatively quickly.
- Clean Before Use: Regardless of the sinking method, always clean your aquarium wood thoroughly to remove dirt, debris, or potential contaminants.
- Test in a Separate Container: It's always best to test if the wood sinks in a separate bucket or tub of water before placing it in your main aquarium.
By applying one or a combination of these methods, you can successfully prepare your aquarium wood to stay submerged and become a beautiful, natural part of your tank's aquascape. Remember the goal is to ensure it stays under, as mentioned in the reference.
