Malaysian Driftwood
Dense, dark-brown, sinks immediately. Heavy in tannins for the first 2-3 months, staining water amber.
Perfect for blackwater biotopes, South American, and cichlid tanks. Often sold pre-soaked for fresh-water displays.
Mopani Wood
African hardwood with two-tone surfaces — dark smooth side + lighter textured side. Very dense, sinks fast.
Releases fewer tannins than Malaysian. Great for African cichlid biotopes and Dutch-style planted tanks.
Spider Wood
Named for thin branching shape. Lightweight, must be weighted or soaked 1-2 weeks before it sinks.
Ideal for iwagumi, nature aquascapes, and paludariums where visual texture matters more than mass.
Preparation Steps
Scrub with stiff brush, rinse in clean water. Boil 1-3 hours for small pieces, or soak 2+ weeks with daily water changes.
Boiling also kills insects, parasites, and mold spores that may have traveled with the wood.