Soaking/boiling wood for tank

[Red]

Fed up with boiling the kettle for the millionth time to soak my new bogwood in a bucket and I don't have a saucepan big enough to boil it on the hob, I had a thought!!!!

What if I put the wood in the washing machine on a VERY HOT wash (90 degrees is the max on my machine). I would run a very hot rinse cycle first to get rid of any nasty detergent.

What do you think?

Is this a brilliant idea or doomed to failure & possible replacement of washing machine?

 

[Red]

Note to self - Ask Narayan if this is how he broke his washing machine!

 

[MAM]

question, is it a top loading or front loading washer?

if its top loading, depending on size of wood, may be asking for problems... if front loader, maybe if you put it in a pillow case or lingerie mesh bag or something (so it doesnt' scratch anything... that MIGHT work............... can't say i've ever pondered this before though................

 

[Cheese Specialist]

The noise would be horrendous with it banging around. I use the bath personally.

 

[SarahBravo]

Not sure either about getting rid of all the detergent (my machines drawer thingy and presumably pipe to drum is quite gunky) and/or breaking the drum. Do know one thing tho' - would be a heckuva noisy spin cycle!!!

If you try it please take video - preferebly left on on tripod so we can hear you scream and see you run over and try and stop washing machine (god i'm a *****!!)

Sarah

 

[MAM]

would be a heckuva noisy spin cycle!!!

If you try it please take video - preferebly left on on tripod so we can hear you scream and see you run over and try and stop washing machine (god i'm a b*tch!!)

Sarah

sorry but that gave me the funniest mental image..................

never thought of using the tub........... cheese how do you keep it hot long enough (or hot enough) to really do any good though? or do you just leave it in there for a really long time........... i mean, i use the tub for washing stuff fish related but for soaking wood..................

 

[Red]

Hee hee - maybe I'll take it to the laundrette!

Actually the wood would be a tight fit and not be able to move around too much in the drum.. I have a load on at the moment so maybe when it's finished I'll check it out!

 

[Cheese Specialist]

never thought of using the tub........... cheese how do you keep it hot long enough (or hot enough) to really do any good though? or do you just leave it in there for a really long time........... i mean, i use the tub for washing stuff fish related but for soaking wood..................

I just fill itlike I would if I was running a bath. That amount of water takes a long time to cool down, my tanks have always been fine doing that. I also use cold water as my tap has good pressure (great for cleaning sand too ) and it seems to do the trick.

Red, if the wood is big it might be ok but then there's what Sarah mentioned about soap powder still being in the drawer. I know mine as loads.

 

[Nauplii]

oh Sarah Bravo! if thats your cat in that pic im sooo coming to stay

 

[Red]

Won't the tannin stain my white plastic bath?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Won't the tannin stain my white plastic bath?

I've not had any problem with mine and I always used it for that and I have a lot of wood in my tanks.

Oh and off topic there Vixen! *tsk* *tsk*

 

[ad_smith]

you could sneak into a laundrette and use their machine instead of your own

 

[CFC]

Why soak the wood at all? Unless you have real issues about having a little tannin in the water then a quick rinse to remove any loose bits and dirt will be enough to ensure the wood is safe. I have over 30 pieces of bogwood spread around my tanks and have never soaked a single piece.

 

[JDH]

"It seemed like a good idea at the time"

 

[pgtips]

why not put it in the tumbledryer after