Cody

a plus or a problem...is it really worth the soaking and all the prep work...or not really

Chief_waterchanger

Driftwood is one of the most awesome things to put in a tank. Decoratively speaking and functionally speaking. It provides an obstacle for fish to evade each other around, in, on, etc. If you get live plants in the tank and keep the roots wedged in a cave of the driftwood the roots will grow into it in a month or so and be semi-permanently affixed.

If you are talking about the tank listed in your signature, (2m guppies & 2 fm guppies in a 20g tank) the females need plenty of hidy-holes. Guppies are usually kept/sold in trios, (1m 2fm) to keep the males from over aggressing (trying to sex up) the females, which could damage/kill them.

Cody

yes i know....see my lfs with give me credit for my fry and trade sorta...i figure i will keep some of the fry and give some in and get some more...i watch them though an di havent had any problems yet..but i will have a few more females soon....but i hear about the water becoming discolored and i know thats...another reason why you soak it for a while but im just curious

Isabella

Well, if you don't want your water stained yellow/orange color then you should boil and soak it until it stops leaching tannins (tannins are the orange/yellow coloration). These tannins are also what brings your pH down ... A LOT. Depending on your tank size and driftwood size, an un-boiled and un-soaked driftwood peace can make your water way too acidic for many freshwater fish species.