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Using a Nurse Log in your aquarium has several uses and benefits. But what is a Nurse Log? And how do you use it in your fish tank?
A Nurse Log in woodland areas is a fallen tree/large branch. As the wood starts to decay it provides a habitat for plants to grow on. It also creates a habitat for other tiny life forms. In an aquarium it does pretty much the same thing, with the addition of releasing beneficial tannins into the water column.
In the fishkeeping world Nurse Logs are often used in aquariums. This is not only because they look good, but because of their usefulness and beneficial properties.
Let’s take a look at what a Nurse Log can do for your fish tank
Is A Nurse Log Good For Fish Tanks?
Nurse Logs are good for most aquariums. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a fish/shrimp/snail only tank or a community tank with all of these inhabitants. A Nurse Log can be used to grow aquatic plants on. It’s also a surface for beneficial bacteria to grow on. And the wood of the log itself releases beneficial Tannins (article link) into the water.
Even if you keep fish that eat aquatic plants a plant-free Nurse Log is still useful. It will help with the growth of beneficial bacteria, microorganisms and biofilm. And an interesting piece of wood adds to the look of the tank. Particularly if you need to decorate your tank with hardscape only.
Should I Put A Nurse Log In My Fish Tank?
Despite it’s many benefits it’s entirely up to you when it comes to adding a Nurse Log to your aquarium. If you don’t want wood in your tank you can add live plants in a different way. And that also goes for adding surfaces that beneficial bacteria will grow on. It’s all a matter of personal choice.
So, take a look at your tank and decide what you and your tank inhabitants would prefer.
What Types Of Wood Can I Use For An Aquarium Nurse Log?
A Nurse Log doesn’t necessarily need to look like the trunk of a fallen tree to serve it’s purpose. So if you don’t want, or need, a chunky piece of wood in your tank there are other options for more slender pieces.
Below are some ideas for wood that you can use to create a Nurse Log in your aquarium
- Birch Wood
- Oak Wood
- Bogwood
- Redmoor Wood
- Manzanita Wood
- Mangrove Wood
- Mopani Wood
- Maple Wood
- Marsh Root
There are lots of other types of wood/branches (Amazon link) that you can use in your aquarium. And for smaller tanks Cholla, Spider and Tiger wood are good options.
Tip: Any wood that you add to your tank needs to be aquarium safe. Some types of wood will poison the water and your fish. So make sure that the wood you buy, or forage for, is suitable for aquarium use.
How Do I Prepare Nurse Log Wood Before Using It?
Depending on the type of wood, and where you got it from, there will be different ways to prepare it before adding it to your aquarium.
Store Bought Wood
If you’ve bought aquarium safe wood from your local Pet Store, Aquatic Dealer or online you have probably been given instructions on how to prepare the wood. However, this is not always the case.
So here’s a few general tips for you
- Some types of wood naturally sink. But most wood tends to float until it has become saturated.
- Even wood that naturally sinks should be thoroughly washed in clean water before use.
- Unless you’ve been told that the wood will sink you will need to soak it in clean water until it sinks and stays sunk. This can take several days to achieve.
- Depending on the type of wood that you’re soaking it may release tannins. This will turn the water brown as the wood becomes saturated. But don’t worry because tannin release is a normal part of the process. If you don’t want noticeable tannins in your tank water just keep soaking the wood until the water is basically clear.
- You may need to boil the wood to sanitize it and/or make it sink. This will depend on the type of wood you have. I use Cholla wood in my shrimp tanks and I boil/simmer it for about 25-30 minutes. Then I leave it in the water for 24 hours before adding it to the tank. I don’t use it as a Nurse Log but it’s an example of how different woods need treating before use.
Once the Nurse Log/Wood is clean and sinks it’s ready for use in your aquarium.
Foraged Nurse Log/Wood
You can forage for your own Nurse Log if you prefer to. There’s some tips below about how to make foraged wood safe for your fish tank. The last 4 points on the list should be followed in order and will help you to make the Nurse Log safe. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t use it, just start again. But the decision is yours.
- Always check that the wood you are going to use is aquarium safe. As I mentioned earlier, some types of wood can be poisonous to aquatic life. If you’re not sure don’t use it.
- Make sure that the area you forage the wood from is free from pesticide spraying. It’s also best to avoid areas frequently used by dog walkers. Dog pee soaked wood isn’t good for fish tanks! Basically, avoid foraging in areas that are likely to be contaminated by things that will harm your aquarium inhabitants.
- Give the wood a good scrub while it’s dry with a coarse brush. Or use something similar such as sandpaper. Be sure to get into all the little nooks and crannies. You need to remove the surface dirt and fungal spores etc that are likely to be on the wood.
- After cleaning the wood let it dry out and release any insects that may be living in it. Once your happy that it’s bug free you can move onto the next stage which is sterilizing it.
- You need to sterilize the wood by boiling it. Boil it for at least an hour, preferably longer, topping up the water when needed. The water is likely to turn brown as the wood releases its tannins. If the water looks really dirty you can change the water for fresh boiling water and continue the process. Once you’re happy the wood is sterile you can remove it from the water and let it cool.
- Once the wood is sterilized and cooled it’s ready for use unless it’s still likely to float. If it is likely to float you can soak it in clean water for a few days until you’re sure it going to sink.
Tip: Some types of wood will lower the pH of the water. So check this is going to be okay for your fish and their tankmates before adding a Nurse Log to your aquarium.
How Do I Use A Nurse Log In My Tank?
A Nurse Log is not only useful but it’s decorative too. So choose a piece of wood that you like the look of. But make sure it’s a suitable size for your aquarium. Then it’s just a case of deciding where to position it to create the look you want.
It’s worth bearing in mind though that the plants are likely to cover the log over time. So the overall shape of the log may be more important than the colour of the wood in the long run.
Before adding the Nurse Log to the tank you need to prepare it (see the section above about preparation). Once it’s prepared you can add your plants and place it in the tank.
Plants That Will Grow On An Aquarium Nurse Log
Any plant that will grow on wood, or even on rocks, in an aquarium will grow on a Nurse Log. Choosing which plants you want in your fish tank though is a personal preference. If you’re not sure where to start I’ve got a few suggestions for you.
Plant Suggestions For A Nurse Log:
- Mosses – e.g. Java, Christmas and Weeping moss
- Java Fern – various
- Hornwort
- Bolbitis Heudelotii
- Water Sprite
- Cryptocoryne – various
- Bucephalandra – various
- Hygrophila – various
- Anubias – various
There are loads more plants that you can attach to a Nurse Log. So if you don’t like any of the above suggestions do a little research. I’m sure you’ll find lots of alternative plants to use.
How To Attach Plants To An Aquarium Nurse Log/Wood?
There are 3 main ways to attach plants to an aquarium Nurse Log. You may find other ways but these are really easy and work well.
- Glue It – You can use Super Glue Gel (Cyanoacrylate) to attach your plants. Gel works best because it doesn’t tend to run all over the place like Super Glue liquid tends to do. Just dampen the Nurse Log and plants then hold them on the glued area for a few seconds (without gluing your fingers too!). Leave the glue to set for a while before adding the planted Nurse Log to your tank.
- Tie It – You can tie your plants onto the Nurse log using sewing thread or fishing line. You will be able to see the thread/line for a while. But once the plants have ‘taken root’ and start to grow they will cover it and it will become invisible.
- Wedge It – Plants with a larger root base or rhizome can be wedged into crevices in the wood and also between the branch joints. As long as they’re securely wedged they will attach themselves as they grow.
You can use all three techniques on each plant if you think that only using one technique isn’t going to keep the plant in place.
Tip: Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate) Gel or Liquid dries into an inert plastic. It won’t leach chemicals into your tank which makes it safe to use in aquariums.
Can I Use An Artificial/Fake Nurse Log?
If you don’t want real wood and/or real plants in your aquarium you can buy artificial/fake (Amazon link) ones. So if you like the look of a Nurse Log, but don’t want the tannins or plant care, these are a good alternative.
If you want artificial/fake wood but want live plants choose plants that you can attach to, and grow on, tank decorations/rocks. You can attach them as I’ve described in the above section.
You can also attach artificial/fake plants onto real wood using the above tips if you prefer to do it that way round.
A Nurse Log is an attractive and useful addition to an aquarium. The way you choose to do it is a matter of personal taste. So design yourself a lovely aquarium centrepiece.
