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Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
  • Mopani Aquarium Terrarium Reptile Driftwood Wood Decor
Mopani Wood

Mopani Wood

$12.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days from our fulfillment center

Mopani Wood is a dense African hardwood commonly used in aquariums, paludariums, and terrariums. Its substantial weight and dense composition allow it to sink much more quickly than many traditional driftwoods, making it a popular choice for hobbyists who want less downtime spent waterlogging and more time building their layout.

Known for its distinctive two-tone coloration, Mopani Wood features bold brown hues, natural knots, and gnarled texture that double as rich character and prime planting points. It’s super durable and resistant to decomposition, making it one of the longest-lasting natural woods available. It is a heavy tannin-releasing wood, so if tea-colored aquarium water isn’t up your alley, consider pre-soaking in advance.

Best For
- Aquascapers looking for wood that sinks quickly
- Long-term hardscape layouts
- African biotopes and Blackwater aquariums

Natural Variation
Mopani Wood is a natural wood and each piece is unique. Variations in shape, structure, coloration, and overall dimensions are normal and part of what makes each piece one of a kind.
Custom size and shape requests cannot be guaranteed. Please use listed dimensions as general guidelines when selecting a size. All hardscape sales are final unless an incorrect item has been received.

Size Dimensions
S 7-10”
M 10-16”
L 16-22”
Mopani Wood $12.99

Wood You Just Sink Already? The Curious Case of Floating Driftwood

If you’ve ever added driftwood to your tank only to watch it bob right back up… don’t worry, you’re not alone. Almost all aquarium driftwood is buoyant because it’s been dry before reaching your aquascape. It just needs some time (and a little help) to stay submerged for your nature-style, forest or jungle tank.

If you fall into this category—we know—it sucks. Especially if you already spent a chunk of time working on your aquascape. The good news is that there are a few tried-and-true, aquarium-safe methods you can use that will keep your driftwood grounded from day one.
Aqua Design Amano ADA 120P Planted Aquarium Rimless Glass Tank
Ultum nature systems UNS 90L Long 20 gallon Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank
How to Prevent Floating Aquarium Wood

Natural Weights:
This is our main go-to for sinking pieces of aquarium driftwood. This method is great because it can be used on all sizes and it typically blends in better. First, design your scape and make sure everything is your liking. From here, you can take one of two routes:

  1. Plant your aquarium first and place dense aquarium stones on top. Be careful not to crush any plants.
  2. Hold off on planting and position your rocks on top of the driftwood

From here, it’s a test of patience. Usually, the stone will be ready to remove in roughly 2 weeks. You can test it by slowly lifting a stone and watching the driftwood. If you notice any movement, it isn’t ready. Put the rock back and let it soak to become fully waterlogged. Our favorite dense stones for this purpose are Seiryu Stone or Hakkai Stone. If you’re already using something heavy, go with the same type if you have extra. But, if you’re using something porous and lightweight like Lava Rock, it may not be suitable for holding down a large driftwood structure. 
Hakkai Stone and Malaysian Driftwood Planted Aquarium Hardscape
Hakkai Stone and Malaysian Driftwood Planted Aquarium Hardscape
Aqua Design Amano ADA 120P Planted Aquarium Rimless Glass Tank with Hardscape

Hakkai Stone is known to be extremely dense and are perfect for weighing down large pieces of driftwood
Ultum nature systems UNS 5N Nano Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank
Ultum nature systems UNS 5N Nano Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Nature Aquarium Aquascape

This method also works for smaller nano aquarium aquascapes as well

Secure or Wrap:
This is another common method that requires patience and a steady hand through the process. Natural weights can be added quickly, but securing or wrapping the driftwood in place will need some attention to detail (unless slight shifts in direction or angle don’t bother you). This suggestion can be time-consuming, but the results are worth it because there aren’t any eyesores in your aquascape at the end. As far as what you choose to “fasten” your layout with, we’ve tried a few things. Green or brown cotton / nylon thread works great as it blends in better with wood tones and aquatic plants. We’ve even used zipties. Not our best hour, but it got the job done and our scape didn’t float! 
Ultum nature systems UNS 3N Nano Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Nature Aquarium Hardscape
Ziptied Pacific Wood Nano scape before planting
Ultum nature systems UNS 3N Nano Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Betta Fish Aquascape
Grown out nano planted aquarium
Manzanita aquarium drifwood wood hardscape
Cable tied Manzanita Twig Wood
Ultum nature systems UNS 5N Nano Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Nature Aquarium Hardscape
Full aquascape placed into tank before planting
Ultum nature systems UNS 5N Nano Rimless Glass Aquarium Tank Nature Aquarium Aquascape
Fully grown out planted nano tank with plants that have completely hidden the ties

Glue it Together:
Yes, this is aquarium-safe. Is it natural? No. But, this method is becoming increasingly popular in the modern landscape of aquascaping. We turn to glue when we want to flood an aquarium after planting. There are some caveats with this one. Unlike the first two options, glue leaves residue that can be seen by the human eye. You’ll either need to use some elbow grease and a sharp scraper to remove it once everything is dry or you'll need to disguise it while you work. To do this, you’ll need your glue (use liquid cyanoacrylate for this), tissue paper, aquascaping tweezers and a colored substrate that matches your driftwood *optional. When your aquascape is just right and ready to be glued, follow these simple steps!

Step 1: Roll up small portions of the tissue paper between your fingers. Use your tweezers to wedge a piece into key gaps where your driftwood is either touching or connected.

Step 2: Use your tweezers to hold it in place and apply a small amount of liquid glue. Once it makes contact, a chemical reaction will take place and a little puff of smoke will appear. Make sure you avoid breathing it in or getting it in your eyes!

Step 3: Let it cure and voilà!  Once you’ve finished, you’ll see how strong this method is. Test it by lifting and making sure the secondary piece is still connected. 

Optional hot tip: Sprinkle your crushed substrate on top of the glue during the curing process to create a seamless blend. Take it a step further and add some aquarium rhizome plants when you’re finished. We like using Anubias, Bucephalandra and Java Ferns!

Boiling and Pre-Soaking:
Yes, you read right. If the driftwood pieces you have are smaller and can fit a standard 5 gallon bucket or even a large kitchen pot (make sure your people are okay with this one!), then you can boil the wood to waterlog it faster. We’ve done this with Manzanita Twig Wood before and had great success with it. Alternatively, fill any container that is large enough to fit your driftwood with water, and let it soak for 1-2 weeks for a fire-free option! 

Not up for any of the previous suggestions? We still have you covered and offer driftwood that is pre-attached to natural slate stone or bonsai driftwood trees with lava rock bases. Beyond that, check out the Strata Pro series by Ultum Nature Systems. These are pre-made readyscapes that feature natural, real hardscape and are conveniently attached to heavy bases designed to fit nano tanks and standard sized aquariums. Give it a go if you’re looking for a float-free aquascape for your planted tank.

Beyond visuals, driftwood releases tannins with natural antifungal and antimicrobial properties. If the slight discoloration of water doesn’t bother you, tannins can contribute to better health and vitality for your tank inhabitants. If it does, it’s temporary and can also be removed quicker with water changes. Some biotope aquarium hobbyists love the discoloration and tannins as it replicates many of the natural habitats for tropical freshwater fish. To each their own!

Some of our favorite go-to woods include Malaysian Driftwood, Pacific Wood, and Spider Wood—each offering unique shapes and tones that work beautifully in planted setups.
Aquarium Driftwood Hardscape Tannins
Shop Aquarium Driftwood
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Shipping, Returns and Refunds

Shipping
Orders are typically processed within 1-2 business days M-F. However, additional time may be required during peak seasons and federal holidays. For orders containing live plants, we exercise extra caution and assess factors such as travel distance and weather to ensure safe transit.

To avoid delays, please ensure all order information is accurate and complete. We cannot offer refunds and are not responsible for orders shipped to incorrect addresses due to errors in provided information. Once an order has been shipped, delivery times are determined by the carrier and are outside of our control. On average, shipments arrive within 2–5 business days, excluding weekends and holidays. For more information, please visit our FAQ page.

Returns
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery. Approved returns must be shipped back within 14 days of approval. Returned items must be unused, unopened, and in their original packaging. Specific return requirements, if applicable, will be listed on the product’s page. For more information, please visit our FAQ page.

Refunds
No worries, we’ll take care of everything as long as it fits the guidelines above.Most answers to general questions can be found on our FAQ page.