| Adding bogwood improves the aesthetics of any | | | | separate any loose parts of the bogwood that |
| aquarium but for some fish it is an essential part | | | | may block the filter. Soaking the bogwood helps |
| of their diet. I have a group of L59 Ancistrus | | | | to remove any tannins that the bogwood |
| Pleco's and they spend many an hour munching | | | | contains. Tannins will discolour your aquarium |
| away on one of the large pieces in their tank. | | | | water but they are not harmful to fish. |
| Their digestive system benefits from eating | | | | In some aquariums tannins can be beneficial. Fish |
| bogwood. Uaru which is one of the medium to | | | | that like soft acidic water such as South American |
| large New World Cichlids also eat bogwood. | | | | Cichlids will benefit from some bogwood in their |
| There are two types of wood that can be used | | | | tank. |
| in an aquarium, they are bogwood and vine roots. | | | | You need to ensure to buy your bogwood from |
| Bogwood is mostly tree roots that have | | | | a reputable aquarium as not all types of wood can |
| remained submerged underwater for many years | | | | be used, wood that has been treated with any |
| in marshy conditions. | | | | kind of stain or varnish will almost certainly kill |
| Before adding newly purchased bogwood to any | | | | your fish. I have read many forum posts where |
| aquarium it needs to be soaked in water for up | | | | people find wood in rubbish heaps or in forests |
| to two weeks, I also change the water that the | | | | and add it to their aquarium, there is one common |
| bogwood is soaking in every few days. You will | | | | theme, all their fish die, you have been warned. |
| notice that the water it is soaked in becomes | | | | Buy decent bogwood, soak and scrub it and your |
| murky and dark. Before I change the water I | | | | fish will benefit. |
| scrub the bogwood with a very stiff brush to | | | | |