How Do I Clean It?!

[Jakey02578]

Just got some wood from my LFS, £2 odd, it has dust on it and all that jazz, how do I clean it?!

 

[phoenix2081]

Soak it in a tub of hot water for a few days and change regularly.
This will take out some of the tannins. Unless you want a tea coloured tank which some people like. Tannins will not be totally eliminated but should decrease the longer it is in water.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jakey02578]

What about the dust on it?

 

[fluttermoth]

Rinse it under the hot tap? That should get most of it off

 

[Jakey02578]

Thanks guys! I've never had it before so I wouldn't know;D

 

[phoenix2081]

Just to show you the colour the water will go if you decide to soak it. If not this is the colour your aquarium will go.

 

[fluttermoth]

lol, that's a lot of tannins! Not all wood will release that much though!

 

[phoenix2081]

One big piece and 3 little pieces. Needless to say it stained the bath and the Mrs was not amused. Took me 3 bleaches and a good 30 minutes of scrubbing to get rid of the stain hahaha.

It now resides in the garden in a huge bucket.

 

[Aqua Tom]

One big piece and 3 little pieces. Needless to say it stained the bath and the Mrs was not amused. Took me 3 bleaches and a good 30 minutes of scrubbing to get rid of the stain hahaha.

It now resides in the garden in a huge bucket.

Chuck it in the garden water butt. Its what i do.


Tom

 

[Jakey02578]

Mines for a little 5 gallon which I bought not long ago because, Bettas look cool;D So it's quite small and it's in some bucket with hot water:')

 

[Jakey02578]

Oh, and how long do I have to soak it for?!

 

[fluttermoth]

Soak it in hot water, changing it every day. If it sinks, you can add it anytime, unless the tannins seem too much, in which case keep it soaking until the worst of it has gone; I should point out that tannins are harmless to fish.

 

[Jakey02578]

I've had it in there like half a day and the water still hasn't gone brown?

 

[fluttermoth]

Oh well, maybe you've got a piece that doesn't have much tannin in it; all bits of wood are different. You can put it in anytime then

 

[Jakey02578]

Awesome! Cheers!