Wood
Malaysian Driftwood
Also called Malaysian bogwood
By Mike Elmira
TL;DR, Malaysian Driftwood
Malaysian driftwood is dense, dark and gnarled, and its big selling point is that it sinks straight away with no soaking needed to keep it down. It leaches a fair amount of tannins early on, tinting the water, which fades with time and water changes. It is a solid, affordable workhorse wood, less delicate than spider wood but great for chunky natural layouts and for wedging into a substrate.
What it looks like
Solid dark brown wood, gnarled and heavy, without the fine branching of spider or manzanita.
What it does to your water
Moderate tannin release, tinting the water and nudging pH down early on, fading over weeks. No meaningful effect on hardness.
How to prepare it
It sinks on its own, so no waterlogging needed. A soak or boil first reduces the initial tannin tint if you want clearer water sooner.
Using it in a scape
A dependable choice for natural, chunky layouts and for anchoring into the substrate. Pairs well with anubias and java fern tied into its crevices.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Does Malaysian driftwood need soaking?
Not to make it sink, it is dense enough to sink on its own. Soaking or boiling first just reduces the early tannin tint, which is optional depending on whether you want clear or tea-coloured water.