Mopani Wood Still Leeching

[Akasha72]

Hi all,
 
I've never used mopani wood before and I've had a piece soaking in a bucket now for nearly 3 weeks and it's still turning the water a really dark brown. 
I've always used standard bog wood in the past and it's never turned the water this dark. I love to see tannins but this mopani wood is turning the bucket so dark I'm too scared to put this wood in the tank - especially as I bought it to go in a fry tank.
 
I was just wondered what the thoughts were on this. Is this dark staining normal for this type of wood and if I do get brave and add it to the fry tank whilst it's still leeching will my fry be okay with it?

 

[Byron]

I have only tried Mopani a couple of times, but I found it did leech stronger tannins for longer than the Malaysian Driftwood (the heavy very dark brown wood) that I usually use.  The other thing about Mopani is that it floats longer, meaning it takes longer to get it waterlogged so it will stay down.
 
This is only the tannins from the wood, and they are harmless to fish; soft water forest fish will actually benefit from them.  I am not aware of any issues to any fish from tannins.  Water changes will slowly remove the tinting, and help the fry too of course.
 
Byron.

 

[Akasha72]

thanks Byron, so you think it's perfectly safe to pop this wood in with my cory and tetra fry then. They've had such a fight to survive so far I'm terrified of harming them now at this stage.
 
I bought it to give them something to hide under

 

[Byron]

thanks Byron, so you think it's perfectly safe to pop this wood in with my cory and tetra fry then. They've had such a fight to survive so far I'm terrified of harming them now at this stage.
 
I bought it to give them something to hide under

 
I see no issues, and it sounds as if it will benefit.

 

[Akasha72]

many thanks. I've been pouring boiling water over it daily for nearly 3 weeks so there can't be anything 'nasty' on it. I was just concerned about the extreem leeching but I trust your advice. I'll add it tomorrow when I water change them

 

[jag51186]

My Malaysian driftwood still stains my water, though not as dramatically, and my tank has been up and running for 9ish months. Yay tannins! Hope the fry like their new hiding spot!

 

[Akasha72]

I've not had chance to do the water change or add the wood as I severely damaged my shoulder joint last night. I'm not up to carrying buckets today

 

[eaglesaquarium]

With the fry that you have, tannins will not be a problem at all.  Mopani does exactly this sort of thing, personally, I love it.

 

[Akasha72]

I like stained water ... I was just worried about the fry but now I know it's safe for them it can go in .... as soon as my shoulder heals

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I like stained water ... I was just worried about the fry but now I know it's safe for them it can go in .... as soon as my shoulder heals

 
Considering where those particular fry come from in nature, they are blackwater species, so not a big deal at all.  Might even help them a lot.

 

[Akasha72]

true, I really hadn't thought of it like that and now you've said it I feel a bit dumb lol

 

[eaglesaquarium]

true, I really hadn't thought of it like that and now you've said it I feel a bit dumb lol

 
Nah... sometimes we over look the obvious.  It happens all the time.  Its why I can never find my keys, but my wife can.  

 

[Akasha72]

I look at it as the mind can only hold so much information before it starts putting 'old information' into the vault marked 'forgotten' lol

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I look at it as the mind can only hold so much information before it starts putting 'old information' into the vault marked 'forgotten' lol

 
Its also why I left my wallet at home today as I left for work.  

 

[Akasha72]

I did worse last week. Drove into the town centre to pay a bill at the bank. Arrived at the bank ... no bill in handbag. I'd left it on the coffee table at home