Stumpwood

Aquaglobe Stumpwood | A Natural Hollow Hideout for Aquariums and Planted Tanks

Stumpwood brings a genuinely unique form to aquarium hardscaping — the natural, weathered look of a hollow tree stump that provides both a striking visual anchor and a practical, functional shelter for fish, shrimp, and invertebrates. Its hollow or partially hollow interior creates an immediate and secure hiding spot that tank inhabitants gravitate toward instinctively, while its dense, heavy construction ensures it sinks readily and stays exactly where it is placed without shifting or tipping over time.

The rustic, organic form of Stumpwood integrates naturally into planted aquascapes, biotope setups, and community tanks alike — adding a sense of age and permanence to a layout that more uniform hardscape pieces rarely achieve.

Why It Works in the Aquarium

The hollow interior is Stumpwood’s most practical feature — providing a secure, enclosed shelter that reduces stress in fish and invertebrates that naturally seek out cave-like spaces. Cave-spawning plecos will investigate and often adopt a suitable Stumpwood piece as a spawning site, shrimp will colonise the interior and exterior surfaces as the wood develops biofilm, and shy or territorial fish will use it as a defined home base that reduces conflict with tank mates.

Its dense, textured exterior surface also provides an excellent attachment point for mosses, Anubias, Java Fern, and Bucephalandra — plants that root directly onto wood surfaces and gradually transform the stump into a lush, planted centrepiece over time.

A Note on Tannins

Like most natural driftwood, Stumpwood may release a small amount of tannins into the water when first introduced — gradually tinting it a warm amber colour. Soaking in a bucket of water for several days before adding to the tank reduces this significantly. Running activated carbon in the filter after adding the wood will help maintain water clarity. The tannin release is completely harmless and beneficial for many fish and shrimp species from soft, acidic water habitats.

Preparation and Safety

• Rinse thoroughly under clean tap water before adding to the aquarium — never use soap, detergent, or any cleaning products, as even trace residue is toxic to fish, shrimp, and invertebrates
• Do not boil or bake natural wood — a thorough rinse and soak is all the preparation needed
• Stumpwood is dense and heavy and will sink readily — no anchoring or weights required
• A white, cotton-like biofilm may appear on the surface in the first few weeks — completely harmless and will be consumed by shrimp and cleanup crew or disappear on its own
• Each piece is completely unique in shape, size, hollow structure, and character — natural variation is part of the appeal

Ideal For

• Community aquariums as a natural shelter and territory anchor for fish and invertebrates
• Cave-spawning plecos — the hollow interior is a natural and functional breeding site for Bristlenose, Hypancistrus, and other cave-spawning species
• Shrimp tanks — biofilm grazing surfaces inside and out, and excellent cover for moulting shrimp and shrimplets
• Planted aquariums as a naturalistic centrepiece with plant attachment potential
• Biotope and nature-style aquascapes where an authentic, aged aesthetic is the goal
• Paludariums and mixed aquatic and terrestrial setups