What should i be doing to cure my driftwood? simply soaking it for a certain period of time or actually adding something to the water??
I certainly wouldn't want to do that.make sure that all of the tannin is out of the driftwood.
I've never boiled my wood. I leave any bark on it on it as long as it isn't crumbling off. I even leave moss and lichens on it.It's good to boil the piece of driftwood before tossing it in your tank. Also, when you're before you soak the driftwood, make sure to remove any bark, and to scrub the outside with steel wool or sandpaper. From personal experience I've noticed that this makes the driftwood sink faster, and it keeps your tank water clearer. The best thing, however, is to boil the entire piece for about an hour if you've got a pot that's big enough.
Boiling make it sink faster? or scrubbing it? and i want to lessen the decreasing of the pH im not so worried about tanninIt's good to boil the piece of driftwood before tossing it in your tank. Also, when you're before you soak the driftwood, make sure to remove any bark, and to scrub the outside with steel wool or sandpaper. From personal experience I've noticed that this makes the driftwood sink faster, and it keeps your tank water clearer. The best thing, however, is to boil the entire piece for about an hour if you've got a pot that's big enough.
will simply soaking it work aswell? i know it only lowers the pH for a certain time then it will eventually neutralize?Boiling the driftwood makes the water already in the wood expand and it tears new pathways allowing the piece to take on water faster. If you're worried about the wood lowering the ph you can put coral in your tank, or crushed coral in a filter basket, it should neutralize the effects of the wood.
Okay thanks!if the piece you have will fit in a large pot,then boiling with release some of the tannins,i agree with using crushed coral in a bag in your filter-if your tank is africans.i would check the PH every few weeks to see that it is holding steady