{"product_id":"aquatopia-driftwood-ss-19-23cm","title":"Aquatopia Driftwood - SS 19-23cm -  In-store Pick Up Only**","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e** This item is classed as a fragile, large, bulky or a heavy item - and unfortunately can not be sent for delivery.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe categorise our driftwood by size to help you choose, but as these are natural products, please allow for some variation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Aquatopia Mountain with Moss Ornament creates a beautiful and natural underwater landscape for your aquarium. Made with high-quality materials, it offers a lifelike moss design that adds visual interest to your tank. Add a touch of nature to your aquatic environment with this stunning ornament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAllow your fish to scale their own Everest with this Mountain with moss by Aquatopia! Although the ornament cannot compare to the size of Everest, it is sure to impress your fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:277\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e19-235cm\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel stronger\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_20a1c08c61a1c82a\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:65\"\u003eHere's a breakdown of caring for and using this type of ornament:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:30\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features and Benefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:30\"\u003eDriftwood serves as the \"skeleton\" of many aquascapes, but its impact on water chemistry and fish health is equally significant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatural Water Conditioning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTannin Release:\u003c\/strong\u003e Most driftwood releases tannic acid (tannins), which creates a \"tea-colored\" look known as a Blackwater effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH Buffering:\u003c\/strong\u003e These tannins naturally lower the pH and soften the water, making it ideal for tropical fish like Tetras, Bettas, and Cichlids that thrive in slightly acidic environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAntibacterial Properties\u003c\/strong\u003e: Tannins act as a mild fungicide and antibacterial agent, boosting the immune systems of your fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiological \u0026amp; Nutritional Support\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeneficial Bacteria:\u003c\/strong\u003e The porous surface of wood provides a massive area for nitrifying bacteria to colonise, aiding in biological filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDietary Fibre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Species like Plecos (wood-eating catfish) actually graze on the wood to get essential cellulose and lignin, which helps their digestion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMicro-Ecosystems:\u003c\/strong\u003e Over time, wood grows a \"biofilm\" (a thin layer of microbes) that serves as a primary food source for shrimp and fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehavioural Enrichment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTerritorial Boundaries: Gnarled branches create natural \"visual breaks,\" helping to reduce aggression by allowing fish to establish their own territories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpawning Sites:\u003c\/strong\u003e Many egg-laying species prefer the underside of wood for depositing their eggs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare and Maintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause driftwood is organic, it requires specific preparation and ongoing attention to prevent it from fouling your water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreparation (Before Adding to Tank)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScrubbing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a stiff brush (no soap!) to remove loose debris, dirt, or soft bark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoiling\u003c\/strong\u003e: This is the \"gold standard.\" Boil the wood for 1–2 hours. This sterilises the wood (killing hitchhikers), breaks down cell walls to help it sink faster, and leaches out the heaviest initial tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoaking (Curing):\u003c\/strong\u003e If the piece is too large to boil, soak it in a bucket of dechlorinated water for 1–2 weeks, changing the water daily until the \"tea\" color fades to your liking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOngoing Maintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonitoring Buoyancy\u003c\/strong\u003e: If your wood still floats after treatment, you can anchor it by weighing it down with a rock or stainless steel screw attached to a piece of slate buried under the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManaging Biofilm:\u003c\/strong\u003e It is common to see a white, fuzzy slime grow on new wood. This is a harmless fungus\/bacterial bloom. You can scrub it off during water changes, but most shrimp and snails will eat it within a few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTannin Control:\u003c\/strong\u003e If the water becomes too dark for your taste, use activated carbon or Seachem Purigen in your filter to chemically remove the tint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspecting for Rot: Over several years, some softer woods may begin to crumble or rot. If the wood feels \"mushy\" to the touch, it’s time to remove or replace it to avoid an ammonia spike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"15:1-15:25\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-sourcepos=\"17:1-22:0\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"23:1-23:333\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Aquatopia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48159659884714,"sku":"AQ71803","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0325\/1250\/7948\/files\/Aquatopia_Driftwood_-_SS_19-23cm_-_Instore_Pick_Up_Only.jpg?v=1774849706","url":"https:\/\/www.thetechden.com.au\/products\/aquatopia-driftwood-ss-19-23cm","provider":"The Tech Den ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}