A beautiful, two-color African hardwood for aquariums or terrariums. One of the hardest and densest woods available; sinks immediately in aquariums and unlike driftwood, will not rot! All natural wood leaches tannins, which discolor water and reduce pH levels.

Do you have to soak Mopani wood?

The short way is to boil the wood, let it sit an hour or so in the water, then reboil and repeat until it has stopped leeching. I boiled my wood 3 times for about 30 minutes each time, let it soak overnight after the 3rd boil, and then placed it into my tank. It STILL leeched tannin and turned my water slightly tan.

Is Mopani wood toxic?

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Mopane.

Does Mopani wood soften water?

Driftwood will help soften the water the same way that peat does, by releasing tannins. Mopani wood and Malaysian driftwood are great driftwood options for tannins. Be aware, though, that tannins from driftwood may discolor your water to a brown or rust color.

How do you identify a Mopani wood?

The color of this hardwood is usually two-tone with one side being lighter than the other. The signature swirl pattern is often light brown on one side of the wood and a dark reddish-brown on the alternative side.

How do you clean Mopani wood?

Mopani Wood has been sandblasted clean and is ready to be added to your terrarium. For use in aquariums, remember all natural wood leaches tannins, which discolor water and reduce pH levels. To minimize this effect, soak wood in a separate container, and change water daily to remove excess tannins.

Does Mopani wood release tannins?

Like any wood, Mopani will impart some tannins into the water after it’s submerged, so if you’re not into “the tint”, you probably want to soak it in freshwater for a week or two to “crack off” some of the initial burst of tannins and other organics contained in the wood structure.

Does Mopani lower pH?

The Mopani wood should not lower or raise ph levels. Mopani Wood shouldn’t be used specifically for lowering pH levels. However, the natural tannins that leach from the wood will slightly lower pH.

Where does Mopani wood come from?

Southern Africa
The Mopani, or Mopane, tree is an exotic species from Southern Africa. It is a very heavy wood that is resistant to termites. Popular for woodwind instruments, Mopani is favored for its warm, rich tone. It is also used in high-end furniture and inlay work.

How long does it take for Mopani wood to sink?

Mopani in my experience almost always sinks immediately. It does have a habit of having lots of tannins though. I have had one piece of unidentified driftwood that’s taken about 3 months to sink, and it still has to be partially buried to avoid it floating a bit.

How do you stop Mopani wood leach tannins?

Is Mopani wood good for aquariums?

Mopani Wood – Aquarium A beautiful, two-color African hardwood for aquariums or terrariums. Smooth surface, textured detail, and unique mottled color adds interest and enrichment to habitats. Use with plants to create the “naturalistic” look.

What is mopani or Namibia wood?

MOPANI or NAMIBIA WOOD: This variety of wood has the characteristic of having a fantastic color, light brown and dark brown, and being a root is rich in knots and very special shapes.

What is a Mopani tree?

The Mopani, or Mopane, tree is an exotic species from Southern Africa. It is a very heavy wood that is resistant to termites.