Geez, How Long To Boil Driftwood To Remove Most Of The Tannins

[Lady J]

Hi all. Two weeks ago I soaked my driftwood for 4 days---ok, excited to finally start aquascaping. Then ugh, the water is turning yellow due to the tannins so I do a 40% water change and now have been boiling the driftwood for 3 days (obviously not continuous, but always when I'm home). Geez, the water is still releasing tannins. So, does anyone have any idea how long this will take before the water will be relatively clear? I realize I'll probably never be able to get rid of all the tannins, but perhaps most of it?

 

[yorkshirelassuk]

Ive been doing a piece over a week still floating doesnt want to lay down,tannings are finished though,YL.

 

[BigTom]

Could be ages. Just stick some purigen in the filter if it bothers you, that'll keep the tannins locked up.

 

[yorkshirelassuk]

Tom come and sit on my piece make it sink LOL!!YL.

 

[Lady J]

Tom, after you make yorkshire's wood sink, could you please come over and zap a magic want and get rid of my tannins?!

 

[fluttermoth]

I know this is not what you're going to want to hear, but you really shouldn't boil wood. It cooks the fibres, and makes the wood release more tannins, as well as rot faster once it's in your tank (sorry!).

If you really, really don't like the look of tannins (although I, personally, can't understand why people wouldn't like it, tbh), Purigen or simple carbon in your filter will absorb it.

 

[Lady J]

Well, this news is highly disappointing as I was told by many people that it should be boiled. So, have I just wasted ~$65.00 in wood. I have tons of carbon although I don't see where there's much room in the hob filtration. What should I do?

 

[fluttermoth]

Oh, you can still use it, it just won't last as long as it would have done.

I don't really know anything about HOB filters Perhaps a little box filter, run off an air pump, or a small internal filter just for the carbon would work?

 

[yorkshirelassuk]

I never boil wood and the tannins that are still leaking my angels love and water is a nice brownish tinge just want it to sink LOL!!YL.

 

[fluttermoth]

Yeah, some pieces take ages to sink; it will in the end though! Have you left it floating, or have you weighted it down?

 

[Lady J]

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just used to the lingo. By HOB I mean a filtration system that is hanging on the back of the tank--->Marineland with the little biowheel and cartridges. I'm glad to know I don't have to get rid of the driftwood as it's beautiful. And, it immediately sank so as least no problem there. Ok, well, I stopped boiling it, am going to put it back in the tank and will buy some purigen. *sigh* Help, there's a hole in my wallet.

 

[fluttermoth]

Oh, I know what a hang on back filter is, I just don't run any (apart from the one on my son's Edge), so I don't know how easy it is to get different media in there. Carbon will work just as well as Purigen, IME, so I wouldn't waste money on it if you have carbon available

 

[Lady J]

Ok, glad to know you know what a HOB is. You have tons of experience; I just chose the HOB because it's easily accessible. My knees are getting creaky and the thought of getting down on the floor to work on a canister just wasn't making me too happy. And yes, I didn't want to have to purchase something else so I put a little filter sock with carbon in behind the cartridge so it should be fine. I just hope the carbon won't take out too much ammonia as it's only in week 3 of cycling. Do you think it will be ok?

 

[minnnt]

Just stick with the natural look of the tannins. Much less hard work. You will remove them over time with water changes. Purigen and carbon work, but if your filter limits you adding them then it isn't really an option for you without running a seperate filter just for those products or upgrading the HOB to an external.

 

[stu40]

Ok, glad to know you know what a HOB is. You have tons of experience; I just chose the HOB because it's easily accessible. My knees are getting creaky and the thought of getting down on the floor to work on a canister just wasn't making me too happy. And yes, I didn't want to have to purchase something else so I put a little filter sock with carbon in behind the cartridge so it should be fine. I just hope the carbon won't take out too much ammonia as it's only in week 3 of cycling. Do you think it will be ok?

carbon doesn't remove ammonia, otherwise we'd all be using it, all the time