Driftwood/bogwood

[metfan581]

Hello,
I would like a nice piece of driftwood/Bogwood to my tank.
The last time I had driftwood in my tank it brought snails and killed off all my fish.
How can I prevent this from happening.
Is there any special "thing" to do to the wood before adding it?
Also:
I always heard of driftwood now I was told to get Bogwood instead.
What are the differences?
What are the pros/cons?
Thanks,
metfan581

 

[morgan]

Hi, if you get bogwood from a lfs it will be specifically for tanks. I have bought 2 pieces of Mopani wood, soaked them for a few days and everything was fine. No snails. The first piece which was in my old tank coloured the water a bit but I use a carbon sponge all the time and it soon cleared. In my new tank the Mopani didn't stain the water at all. I have to have bogwood/Mopani for my Common Pleco. Hope that helps. It doesn't harm the fish if it stains the water but you might not like the look of it. I don't know about driftwood.

 

[Squid]

I've bought the bogwood and mopani that is available from an LFS.. one bit is a dark knarly old bit, and has taken weeks of soaking to reduce the amount of tannins coming out of it... theres only abit now, so im gonna add it to my tank whilst it is soaking, and use the carbon filter to reduce the stain, as said by morgan.

Squid

 

[metfan581]

Thanks
Any one else?
What about dirftwood?
So I just leat everything Soak?
that can take a wile right?
need more help please!!
thanks,
metfan581

 

[Squid]

With driftwood, are you talking about stuff you buy, or stuff your finding somewhere.. if your finding it, you have to be a little more carefull as to what it has been soaking up for a long time.. cleaning and soaking is absolutely key..

I meant to say, as for the snail problem, why not put snail remover in whilst you are soaking it.. That way it wont make it into your tank!

Cheers
Squid

 

[juliehainsworth]

Why not just boil the wood for about ten minutes? At least that way you are not only killing off any snails that might be there but you will probably kill off most of the other bacteria and parasites that might be lurking in the wood! It also saves you a couple of quid that you can then use to treat the fish to a lovely meal of live foods!

 

[Squid]

Why not just boil the wood for about ten minutes? At least that way you are not only killing off any snails that might be there but you will probably kill off most of the other bacteria and parasites that might be lurking in the wood! It also saves you a couple of quid that you can then use to treat the fish to a lovely meal of live foods!

I thought about that route too, but its a chunky bit of wood, and would not fit in any of my pans..

 

[juliehainsworth]

Its a shame you dont have one of them really old stainless steel pans which were used for cooking stews back in the good old days!

Wonder if you could bake it in the oven instead but ensuring it is well soaked before hand and not leaving it in to get over done and set alight! Might be possible but don't quote me on that as could be dangerous and highly likely it could set alight! (Hmmmm must stop pondering things like that might over work my brain)

 

[Dubby]

Why not just boil the wood for about ten minutes? At least that way you are not only killing off any snails that might be there but you will probably kill off most of the other bacteria and parasites that might be lurking in the wood! It also saves you a couple of quid that you can then use to treat the fish to a lovely meal of live foods!

I thought about that route too, but its a chunky bit of wood, and would not fit in any of my pans..

Try soaking in a bucket or your bath tub? Hot water will do and you can add some bleach 1:20 or potassium permanganate to kill any bugs etc.

 

[Squid]

I have been soaking mine in a 45 litre bucket for 3-4 weeks.. changing the water nearly every day.. sometimes it just takes time.. ive been patient, and its about there now.

 

[overboard]

I recently had to get rid of all my driftwood because it started rotting and covering the tank in brown sediment. I had previously soaked it for a month in a bucket, washed and scrubbed it and this still happedned. I would avoid using real driftwood from a beach, buy it at a pet store.

 

[metfan581]

alright then
so soak the wood for a month


and
which is better
driftwood or bogwood....y?

 

[Soaup]

Dont use wood found at the beach.. Not only do you have to worry about the bugs and snails etc.. But You need to think about all the toxins and polutants that the wood as absorbed throughout its journey in the water or water front... I wouldnt do it ever, I dont think its worth the risk.. Go to the pet store all the way..

 

[metfan581]

ok so after i get a piece of wood from the petstore then what do i do

 

[morgan]

I just soaked mine in a bucket of ordinary cold water for 3 - 4 days. The first piece seemed to have more tanin than the second. The second piece is quite big, about a foot or so long by about 6" high. As I said I use a carbon sponge all the time so the discolouration of the water went very quickly, although it is harmless. My second piece was a Xmas present so I didn't choose it.