CaribSea Scapers Select Driftwood

CaribSea Scapers Select Driftwood is hand-selected, kiln-dried hardwood driftwood ideal for freshwater aquascapes, biotopes, and shrimp tanks. Each piece is unique — gnarled branches, twisted roots, weathered character — making it perfect as a centerpiece or a layered hardscape. Available in three sizes to fit nano tanks through large aquariums. Browse our full freshwater supplies or our freshwater plants to scape your tank around it.

Available Sizes

Why Aquarists Love Driftwood

• Natural aquascape character — branching shapes that look like miniature trees underwater. Perfect for nature-style and Iwagumi scapes.
• Releases beneficial tannins — gentle blackwater effect that softens water, lowers pH, and recreates Amazon-style biotopes. Tetras, dwarf cichlids, and shrimp thrive in tannin-rich water.
• Anchor for live plants — Anubias, Bucephalandra, Java fern, and mosses tie directly to driftwood and grow into stunning attached features.
• Cover and security — provides hiding spots for plecos, otocinclus, shrimp, and timid community fish.
• Biofilm for shrimp & plecos — natural biofilm grows on the surface and serves as supplemental grazing food.

Preparing Driftwood for Your Tank

1. Soak first — submerge in a tub for 1–2 weeks to leach initial tannins (or longer if you want crystal-clear water). Change the soak water daily.
2. Boil (optional) — a 1–2 hour boil sanitizes and speeds tannin release. Helps the wood sink faster too.
3. Weight it down — fresh driftwood floats. Weight with rocks or wedge under hardscape until it waterlogs (a few days to a few weeks).
4. Embrace the tannins — many aquarists prefer the warm tea-colored water of a blackwater scape. Activated carbon will polish it back to clear if you prefer.

Specifications

Pair With

• Bucephalandra 'Kapuas Brownie Ghost' — ties beautifully to driftwood
• Christmas Moss — drape across branches for a natural "moss tree" look
• Galapagos Cholla Wood — pair with cholla for varied biofilm-rich textures
• ZooMed Betta Mopani Wood — denser, darker alternative for smaller tanks
• All freshwater plants — Anubias, Java fern, mosses

FAQ

Is driftwood safe for saltwater?
No — driftwood releases tannins and organic compounds that disrupt reef chemistry. Use it only in freshwater tanks.

Will it lower my pH?
Yes, gradually — driftwood releases humic acids that soften water and lower pH slightly over time. Great for tetras, discus, dwarf cichlids, and shrimp; less ideal for African cichlids and livebearers that prefer harder water.

How long until it sinks on its own?
CaribSea Scapers Select is dense hardwood — it usually waterlogs and sinks within a few days to two weeks. Wedge it under rock or weight it down in the meantime.

Can I choose my piece at the store?
Yes — that's the whole point of an in-store pickup driftwood. Each piece is unique, and we'll let you see what's in stock in your selected size when you arrive.

Will it mold?
A whitish fuzz sometimes appears in the first 1–2 weeks (harmless biofilm/fungus). Snails, shrimp, and otocinclus will graze it off. It clears on its own as the tank cycles.