Driftwood

[dalethewhale]

Going to my LFS tomorrow to buy some stuff to decorate my new 180 litre tank... I would really like a large piece of driftwood but i have heard that they can stain your water... any advice on how to stop this?

 

[adgieman]

soak it in water for a few days first.. few weeks the better.
can also change your water ph i think, i have 3 large pieces in my 120l

 

[minnnt]

The advice on the ticket is usually to soak for 48 hours before use... This in reality is no where near long enough. I bought two pieces of Mopani and soaked it in boiling water for a couple of hours (kept changing every half an hour) and then soaked for a week and it still stains the water now after about 6 months. If you have a lot of pleco's then the tanins released from the wood is something that they thrive on. Not in all cases, but in most i believe. You can also coat the wood in something, can't remember what it's called, but i decided against it as you can never be too sure.

Hope you find some good pieces!

 

[dalethewhale]

Thanks for the advice! Is there any particular types of wood that are less likely to stain the water? And apart from making it look bad can it have any negative effect on the fish?

 

[minnnt]

Depends on whether you want driftwood or bogwood.

I have Mopani as i like the two tone effect, but i also have bogwood in another tank for some of my BN's. I don't like driftwood for the very reason it does just that... drift! I guess you could anchor it down somehow though.

As for harming the fish, i don't think the tanins released do any harm to fish, as said, mine is still staining the water now after 6 months and my fish are fine. It's just a pain if you like 'clean' water. I was annoyed at first, but now i just live with it. Quite like the natural look of it now.

Just a note, my mopani was about a fiver a piece where as driftwood and roots can be quite expensive.

 

[dalethewhale]

Depends on whether you want driftwood or bogwood.

I have Mopani as i like the two tone effect, but i also have bogwood in another tank for some of my BN's. I don't like driftwood for the very reason it does just that... drift! I guess you could anchor it down somehow though.

As for harming the fish, i don't think the tanins released do any harm to fish, as said, mine is still staining the water now after 6 months and my fish are fine. It's just a pain if you like 'clean' water. I was annoyed at first, but now i just live with it. Quite like the natural look of it now.

Just a note, my mopani was about a fiver a piece where as driftwood and roots can be quite expensive.

I see, then i would be looking for bogwood Same thing though, soak it for as long as possible?

 

[minnnt]

YEP! Definately! The longer the better in my experience, but it's if you can wait that long. When you get home with some lovely pieces of wood just to look at them in a bucket of water is so hard. (Well it is for me anyway!) lol. Also, soaking helps the wood to absorb water so it will sink easier in your tank.

 

[dalethewhale]

YEP! Definately! The longer the better in my experience, but it's if you can wait that long. When you get home with some lovely pieces of wood just to look at them in a bucket of water is so hard. (Well it is for me anyway!) lol. Also, soaking helps the wood to absorb water so it will sink easier in your tank.

It's my birthday on monday and the tank and set up is my birthday present so i wanted it all set up by then to show it off (obviously without the fish in) but it looks like i'll be waiting a while!

Will soaking it in hot water speed up the process at all?

 

[minnnt]

Yes, very much so. But it also speeds up the electricity meter too. lol.

 

[dalethewhale]

I'm sure my parents won't mind

 

[twodoctors]

I didn't bother soaking it when I got mine for the big tank. Stained the water for a month or 2 with weekly water change. Did the fishes no harm.

Adrian

 

[minnnt]

I'm sure my parents won't mind

Brilliant, keep that kettle boiling!!! lol.

I didn't bother soaking it when I got mine for the big tank. Stained the water for a month or 2 with weekly water change. Did the fishes no harm.

Adrian

I also just chucked my first lot in, but since have soaked it well and it is much better.

 

[StandbySetting]

I think tannins look great personally, they give the tank a real natural look, plus they reduce the PH of the water which is good for most fish.

 

[minnnt]

+1

 

[dalethewhale]

Well I'll get it tomorrow then soak it in warm water for a few day then it'll be ready for my birthday and i don't mind the tannins as i'm going for a more natural look (my last tank had blue gravel!)