bog wood

[jmaster]

hi all

how do u no wen bog wood is ready to go into a tank?

i soaked it and after a few days it began to make the water in the bucket go all dark so i changed the water a few days ago and it hasnt made any water change colour could it be ready?

thanx

 

[canarsie11]

Try soaking it with hot water. If no more olor released may be ready. However, bogwood is peculiar, it may release some tannins later on, but you may have got most of it out

 

[Crookster]

Boil it in a pan for about half an hour. The water will go really brown, even if has been soaked. Let it cool, give it a rinse and it should be ok.

 

[jmaster]

ok ive boiled the wood now should it be ok to go in once ive rinsed and cooled it?

thanx

 

[Crookster]

It should be, especially if you soaked it for a week first. If it does leak tannins they won't hurt the fish, just take it back out and boil it again.

I did same thing yesterday.

 

[emo]

No matter how long you boil it for, it will still release a bit of tannin into the water. I boiled mine for 40 minutes, and soaked it overnight in hot water, and it still released a little bit of tannin. After a few water changes it soon starts to get clear.

 

[fishman 1]

I normally soak mine for a few weeks. I change the water every couple of days depending on how much of the tannin has been released. When changing the water I use boiling water and leave it standing in it until the next water change.

When the water only gets tanned slightly over 3-4 days I put it in the tank. Tannin will continue to be released for a considerable time after. This will not harm the fish, in fact some species benefit from the tannins. Abit like when you buy the blackwater extract for some set ups.

I have 5 pieces of bogwood that are way too big to boil on the stove. In fact 1 of them had to be soaked in an old bath. Some of my wood is 3-4 years old and still releasing tannins.

I hope all goes well when you add yours and it doesnt stain up the water too much.