questions about driftwood

17 posts • Page 1 of 2

Discuss all topics related to freshwater and planted tanks.


cknittle
 
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:12 pm

questions about driftwood

by cknittle

i recently purchased some driftwood from a LFS and have been soaking it for the past 5 days or so..... after each day i change the water because it keeps turning brown... i know that its because of the tannins in the wood but when will it stop


burtonboarder
 
Posts: 49
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:33 am

by burtonboarder

Boiling it speeds it up. And if you put it in the tank, putting a carbon pad in your filter takes tannis out


cedricandcandy
 
Posts: 134
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:36 am

by cedricandcandy

Ditto burton...boil it, or just pop it in the tank. The fish don't mind the tannins. Carbon is great; but only if you don't have plants because it strips the fertilisers from the water too.

My tank is 8 months old and starting to sparkle now, but it took that long (I didn't boil it coz I don't mind the dark look). And you dont want your wood in a bucket for 8 months.


a70m1c
 
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:39 am

by a70m1c

I got a 3 foot long bit of driftwood out of the creek, pretty heavy too! it wasent water logged, just wet from rain, this took 3 weeks soaking in a babypool before i poured boiling water over it and put it my discus tank.

safe bet is to keep changing the water untill the water is clear, do the right thing now it well save you extra water changes later.


zambize
 
Posts: 401
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:14 pm

by zambize

I usually boil my driftwood. It takes about 5-7 times and the water is clear enough that it doesn't turn the water tea color anymore. At least not enough to really matter.

Z


adehaan86
 
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:38 am

by adehaan86

I do not have drift wood, but a possible thing to do is to try a filter on a side of a bucket or something to filter with water circulation should help speed it up.


irondan
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:01 pm

by irondan

if you bought the wood at an lfs, then it is likely malaysian driftwood or mopani. did it sink right away? if it is either, it will take years to release all tannins. i have had 3 pieces in my american tank for 2 years and they still leach. tannins (tannic acid) is good for the fish, sort of like a natural antibiotic.


cknittle
 
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:12 pm

by cknittle

yeah, i got three small peices from the LFS. all 3 sank right away.... i dont have a big enought pot to boil them in so thats not really an option... but thanks for the info about the carbon!! hopefully that helps. im getting ready to set the tank up here anyday now, just waiting for the stand to be completed.... then i start the cycling process. this ismy first good sized tank so if anybody has any suggestions that would be awesome! thanks alot!


Burgerking7679
 
Posts: 112
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:53 pm

by Burgerking7679

I left mine out in a bucket with water for two weeks changing the water every couple of days. Leaving it outside might not really be an option for you as it is winter, so I would have done the same thing but kept it inside.


zambize
 
Posts: 401
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:14 pm

by zambize

I suggest leaving your bucket indoors because outdoors the bucket of water/wood may attract unwanted organisms. Also, I don't know what you're planning, but I'd like to suggest fishless cycling. Many people consider cycling with fish to be a cruel and unnecessary practice.

Z

questions about driftwood

17 posts • Page 1 of 2

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