Newbie Wants Advice On Treating Drift Wood

[T1gger]

Hi there,

I am new to the forum and keeping tropical fish. I live near the beach and have naturally high ph water and know that adding driftwood helps lower ph but it's expensive. I found several nice pieces of wood washed up. How can I treat them to use in my tank without harming my fish? Ideally I don't want to use any chemicals rather boil or soak methods would be preferable for me.

 

[KirkyArcher]

Think you've answered your own question  Hot water soaking and daily water changing for a week or so should suffice, When I treat wood for the tank I add a strong X2 recomended dose of water conditioner (a type that removes chlorine, chloramines and dissolved harmful metals) to the container the wood is soaking in.

 

[DerpPH]

Those work. Quite well really

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I once put a piece of drift/bog wood in my tank and got a nice brown tint to the water. Looked really nice and lowered the pH nicely!

 

[fm1978]

As above, you should be aware that even after the driftwood has been cleaned, it may still leach Tannic acid into the water reducing the pH. It slowly dies down over time and with water changes, though.

 

[T1gger]

Thanks all for your help. Lowering ph is great as we are in high ph area that is why I have 4 pieces of driftwood and want to add more. Also does it really matter if its hard or soft wood?

 

[Sophie]

What type of wood is a good thing to find out surely?
I wouldn't trust anything I don't buy from a reputable LFS, wouldn't want to add anything that would rot or be toxic.
Driftwood is not necessarily bogwood which is the stuff that's most commonly is sold in LFS' and leaks a considerable amount of tannin when not soaked?
 
I could be totally wrong but if it's just washed up on the beach, it could be anything?

Mopani is another good wood to look at - doesn't leak tannins too much.
 
http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bog-wood
 
I'm pretty sure not just any wood reduces the pH.
Regardless, after a few water changes it'd put the pH back up anyway?
Your best bet would be just to get fish suited to your water.
Messing about with pH can be more trouble than it's worth.