tanin stain

[kenneth_kpe]

well recently my drift wood started to leak out tanin again into my water (due to a recent rescaping and use of a saw hehe sawed my driftwood in half)

will the stain interfere much with the light ? ive noticed that even though i have around 4.5 WPG the plants are not growing as well as they used to, (before i had clearer water)

 

[abstract]

it will definatly affect the intensity of your lighting (less dispersion throughout the water)....how much of an affect, I don't know, but I also have a noticeable difference as the tanin builds up in both of my planted tanks

 

[kenneth_kpe]

hmm.... i should make the wood stop staining haha how about if i use a carbon filter for a little while ? will it help ?

 

[jimbooo]

yep. activated carbon filters remove tannin.

bet you had fun with that saw. i just did that the stuffs like steel!!

 

[kenneth_kpe]

yeah !! you could say that again !!! haha something about saws and wood hehehe
carbon now where to get carbon pads

 

[jimbooo]

er LFS!!!!!!

 

[kenneth_kpe]

 

[abstract]

you're better off taking the driftwood out and soaking it again for a few days changing the water often - you'll be buying a LOT of carbon for the weeks (and most likely months) that the driftood will be leaking tanin

 

[Silly me]

the tannin in the water is always bad?? I have some in my discus tanks they only spawn when the water look like tea..

 

[RYO]

I like the tannin in my tanks, i even add tropical black water to get the tanins in as my wood doesnt leach anymore. Some fish seem to thrive on the tannins.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

well im bothered because the tanin might be causing a huge loss in light thats getting to the bottom of the tank. hmmm soak in water ? is there another way ?? BOIL?!?!?! hehehehe

 

[jimbooo]

soak in water i'm afraid. just replace the water as often as possible till it stays clear. other than that there is a varnish you can use, not sure of the name but i wouldn't risk it in my tank. natural method is always best IMO.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

woulndt boiling increase the tanin leak ratE ?

 

[abstract]

well i have never boiled it (don't have a large enough pot to do so) but what i always do is soak it in a large bucket for days....several times each day i empty the water and poured in boiling water until it is fully submerged....has always worked well for me

 

[Lateral Line]

There are people who routinely boiled new bogwood to get the tanins down.

The tanins are a natural part of the eco system, indeed, the "blackwater rivers" from which a lot of fish covered by this forum come from are at least like "tea" orthers more like "cola". Crystal clear but dark brown.