Driftwood for Blackwater aquarium

[SRbettas]

I’m turning my sorority into a Blackwater and bought some driftwood however there is a lot of conflicting information on boiling soaking etc. I don’t want to get rid of all the tannins but I want to kill any bacteria. The wood was bought from my LFS today and they said to soak it but how long for? And do I soak in warm, boiling or room temp water?

 

[Byron]

It is best not to boil wood as it weakens the wood fibers and can cause it to break down and rot faster. If the wood came from a tank with fish, then it would be wise to quarantine it. A pail in which it can be fully submerged will work. Do not use chemicals as anything in the water will be soaked up by the wood only to leech out later. You can use tap water, the chlorine might actually help in this case, and it won't have any detriment later.

Most soak wood until it sinks, if it is floating now. If this is Malaysian Driftwood, a very dark brown wood, it is heavier than most woods and will sink immediately.