Driftwood

[PosingOwl]

I went yesterdayto my lps and was looking at the driftwood. Bought a nice piece and took it home. Unfortunately I had to cut a couple centimeters of the top part to fit nicely.

Since I didn't have a pot big enough I am using a big box like thing (forgot the name). I put boiling water on it for a few hours and scrubed it off. Let it soak overnight and there are no tannins leaking out. Am I doing something wrong.

It was sitting in the store for a few months plus longer and when I first started scrubbing it, it had like a soft feeling all over it. I sinced removed this and the piece is hard. Did they sell me a bad piece.

Thanks

 

[ZoddyZod]

not all wood will release tannins - no wood that I have ever placed in my tank has had any effect on water colour.

 

[PosingOwl]

I was under the impression that all did from what I read. If that is the case then all I have to do is get it to sink. Part sinks and the other side floats a little.

How can you tell what kind of wood it is?

 

[DrRob]

All wood will release tannins, just some so slowly that you'll never notice.

Some woods are fairly distinctive and things like redmoor are usually quite easy to identify, otherwise it can be very difficult to tell what sort of wood it is.

 

[Cupster]

All the stuff I have had leaked tannins. Normally took a few days of soaking to see the water change colour. I hav a particularly large piece that has been soaking for 4 weeks now and still floats and releases tannins when I change the bucket water.

should be ready by this weekend.

 

[PosingOwl]

I would like to have it done before my family flys over. Should I just leave it soaking in cold water or keep pouring hot/boiling water over it. Or if it is indeed leaking slowly, soak it for a few more days and then put in in the tank. I know that some tannins is ok for tetras.

 

[Peter C]

how long does it take to release all the colour?

iv got a bit about 8 inches long x 2-3 inches thick

also would carbon in my filter help?

cheers

 

[fluttermoth]

@ Posing Owl; I've found soaking in straight hot tap water works best, you don't really need boiling water, hot water does help the wood become water logged more quickly.

@ Peter C; It does depend on the wood, I'm afraid! Some pieces don't leach much, some leach loads and some leach for a long time. Carbon certainly reduces the tannins if you find they're colouring your tank too much.

 

[PosingOwl]

Mine is about 53 cm long and 23 cm high with holes in it.. I will soak it in hot water and see how long it tanks....hopefully I got lucky and can put it in a few days from now.

Can't wait

 

[fluttermoth]

You could always put it straight into your tank and hold it down with a conveniently placed rock I know it's important to have your tanks looking at their best if you have visitors coming!

 

[DrRob]

I'm still soaking my piece of apple wood. 6 weeks and it's still leeching tannins.

It is, to be fair, around 3 foot long and is basically a tree stump. Lovely root structure though.

 

[littlenemo]

I have 4 pieces of driftwood in my tank my biggest piece about 4 foot. And never noticed the water change colour. All my filter pads in my sump tank have always stayed white and the wood has been in my tank now for about 8 months. So suppose it depends on the wood to how much tannis comes out.

 

[PosingOwl]

[media]https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDh2hsgIHiY&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/media]

Here is a video of the driftwood. Maybe it will help identify what wood it is....

 

[Alba_Buzz]

The stuff in the water in that vid looks like fairly regular bogwood. It will leach tannins, slowly slowly. I soaked my newest piece for 24 hours and the water turned tea coloured, but i replaced the water, and after 24 more hours still clear. It in my tank, 240 litres, and while my pH seems to have dropped by about .25 is leaching something, but not enough to change colour, which is good. Mopani wood, (usually 2 tone dark brown and pale blonde) doesn't leach colours, certainly, none that our eyes can detect, but its expensive...

 

[Erisna]

The stuff in the water in that vid looks like fairly regular bogwood. It will leach tannins, slowly slowly. I soaked my newest piece for 24 hours and the water turned tea coloured, but i replaced the water, and after 24 more hours still clear. It in my tank, 240 litres, and while my pH seems to have dropped by about .25 is leaching something, but not enough to change colour, which is good. Mopani wood, (usually 2 tone dark brown and pale blonde) doesn't leach colours, certainly, none that our eyes can detect, but its expensive...

Mopani doesn't leach? Tell that to my 5 gallon and 2.5 gallon tanks which turn a very weak tea-color in 2-3 days... Even after pre-soaking the wood for about a week. Of course, both are small tanks and have a pretty significant amount of wood. That could be affecting it.