Why Does My Driftwood Float?

[mike_nofx]

I just bought a piece of driftwood, and found that it floats, is this normal?

It is a pretty big piece, so i have it in my bath tub soaking. i have rocks on top of it to hold it down, it has been soaking for about 3 days, i havent taken the rocks off it to see if it still floats.

Is it normal?

 

[chrismr]

Maybe because it has a lowe density per volume than water?

Yes, I think its normal for driftwood to float - the name implies that.

I think I remember someone saying pour boiling water over driftwood... not 100% sure though.

 

[phlawed]

it depends on type and what not. Some wood sold as driftwood is in different stages of readiness and like the above post says density. Most LFS store stock driftwood that will sink. But sometimes, some wood needs to be in water to soak up for awhile before sinking. I have a piece of cactus stalk that i use as a tunnel in my tank that took 6 weeks to stay on bottom. But, my bogwood i got from LFS sank immediatly after 3 days of rinsing and soaking. So you never know.

 

[drw32]

If you buy a peice of slate and sillicone the driftwood to it your problem is solved