Bogwood Trouble

[Thedoctor]

Hello,

Not sure if this is in the right section, my apologies if it is not.

I've had bog wood in my tank for months now, and the tannins are annoying but I'm not so fussed as I have a UV light filter ready to be installed and could purchased some carbon. However, my bogwood keeps dropping flakes that dirty the sand. When I remove everything from the tank, it's just sand underlay absolutely covered in brown wood flakes.

Why is this and what can I do to stop it?

Kind regards.

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

Hey,

Did you soak your wood before putting it into the tank?
If not, that's what is happening, the bogwood is releasing all the color and flakes of it.

 

[Thedoctor]

I did, But I couldn't do it in boiling water. Also, It's been in my tank for months which is soacking it, so shouldnt it have stopped by now?

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

You shouldn't boil wood. At least I've never done it.
Have you tried to taking it out and cleaning it?

 

[Thedoctor]

Yeah.

It's hard to get into all the small spots though. Some places you can just scratch your nail and it will fill with soft wood.

 

[tribalbrit]

Take it out and jet wash it... that will remove all the loose bits

 

[Thedoctor]

Think that may have been done before, but I'll try again. Cheers.

 

[KittyKat]

Thedoctor, is it true bogwood or some other type of wood? Did you get it new or second hand? The flakes indicate that it is rotting and falling apart (which can make the tannins be released quicker).

The best thing you can do is wash it under running water and scrub it.

Next time, you should consider getting a second hand piece which the seller says is no longer releasing tannins…

 

[Thedoctor]

It is second hand.

If the seller was untruthful and it was literally just taken from a tree, would that make a difference?

 

[KittyKat]

If the seller was untruthful and it was literally just taken from a tree, would that make a difference?

That makes it not bogwood. Do you know what species of tree? Any chance of a photo? Was it still fresh or dry when you received it?

 

[gregswimm]

I have never soaked my wood, I just use a stiff bristled brush + a toothbrush and scrub it until I'm satisfied with the level of clean (mostly I scrub until dust stops coming off). That way it can leach tannins and make my fish happy

 

[gregswimm]

I have never soaked my wood, I just use a stiff bristled brush + a toothbrush and scrub it until I'm satisfied with the level of clean (mostly I scrub until dust stops coming off). That way it can leach tannins and make my fish happy

Edit: Boiling it may have broken down the chlorophyll, you might want a new piece.

 

[KittyKat]

Edit: Boiling it may have broken down the chlorophyll, you might want a new piece.

Dude, chlorophyll is a green pigment it's just the structure of the wood itself that would break down from boiling. (I don't think the OP actually boiled it anyway, did they?)

 

[raptorrex]

Hello,

Not sure if this is in the right section, my apologies if it is not.

I've had bog wood in my tank for months now, and the tannins are annoying but I'm not so fussed as I have a UV light filter ready to be installed and could purchased some carbon. However, my bogwood keeps dropping flakes that dirty the sand. When I remove everything from the tank, it's just sand underlay absolutely covered in brown wood flakes.

Why is this and what can I do to stop it?

Kind regards.

humm, what stock do you have?

i have a bit of true bogwood, in my tank. the catfish, pleco, and cray all remove chunks, from time to time.

I guess what type of wood, and length of time submerged, will all effect this.

but, i know and see what you mean in my tank. I have chosen to leave it. but if its too much. just change it.
apart from the mess, there are no other ill effects.

oh, and boiling, as stated, would have made it far far worse.

 

[gregswimm]

Edit: Boiling it may have broken down the chlorophyll, you might want a new piece.

Dude, chlorophyll is a green pigment it's just the structure of the wood itself that would break down from boiling. (I don't think the OP actually boiled it anyway, did they?)

Derp. I mean cellulose,