Mopani Wood

[ThinIce]

Well, the tank setup continues, its been running a few days. Really must post some pictures of the various steps and my impressions on what i've bought so far.

Anyhow, question is I have a large bit of mopani wood in the tank. When I bought this home I soaked it overnight in a bucket of water, the water was stained by the morning.

Put it in the tank and filled it up, over perhaps a day and a half the water went a lovely tea colour.

Had a quick search around and saw a thread saying it only leaks into the water for about 48hrs. So did a water change as there is currently nothing in the tank to be harmed by it.

Well, the water is a nice brown again. What are my options? I can't boil the wood as I don't have a container big enough, and soaking it seems to be having no effect - I don't mind the water being a little stained but currently its too much.

 

[Teelie]

48 hours is a low estimate IMO. I've had some in my clown tank for months now and it's still discoloring though it's not as bad now. Same with my Kuhli tank though that's not mopani but some other kind of wood. The tannins are harmless and some fish actually feel more secure with brownish water so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If people ask why your water is brown, just explain it's the wood doing it and the water is perfectly safe.

 

[Undawada]

I like a little tannin in my tank water to be honest. I bought a nice piece of mopani for that purpose.

My advice is relax, enjoy it, chances are your fish will like it.

 

[morgan]

I have a piece of Mopani wood. I soaked it for a week. It did colour the tank water a bit, but it has been in a few weeks now and the water is crystal clear. Just to add I do have carbon in my filter, don't know whether that makes any difference. My Yoyo Loach (had two but one died on Sunday, had something stuck in it's mouth) and my Pleco like it.

 

[Bloo]

Sorry to disappoint, but I'm afraid it can take a good few weeks if not months with some wood. Patience and lots of water changes if it "really" bothers you.

 

[shemesh]

I've had mopani wood in the tank for 2-3 months and it's still staining!

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

use a meatl bin or something to boil it in perhaspe?

 

[Undawada]

Active carbon will absorb almost anything from water, including tannins. If you want mopani wood and don't want it to stain your water, carbon is the surest way to get tannins out. Carbon will also remove any beneficial nutrients your plants need, so it's not reccomended for tanks with live plants.

There are countless threads about carbon, you can just search and make your own decision on the subject.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Takes a while for the tannin to come out. When you soak it, you shoud really be replacing the water. I used the bath to do mine and used the cold tap. Worked pretty quickly.

The tannin won't harm fish (a lot actually like it) and will come out eventually with water changes.

 

[morgan]

I have read on other threads that people either like or dislike carbon in their filters. I have a carbon removing sponge in an internal Juwel filter. The plants are growing well so perhaps it is different from activated carbon? I did have to remove it when I medicated the tank.