So I got some manzanita driftwood from a buddy of mine he sandblasted it but that’s all that’s been done so far. Should I do anything else to clean it before putting in my tank?
Driftwood cleaning
- Thread starter Zachk29
- Start date
Hose it off and you can boil it to get it to sink faster and get it to release the tannins so it’s not just releasing directly into the tank.
Yeah it’s gonna need to Float in water for probably 5 days to water log it and yeah I’ll definitely rinse it but mostly wondering if I should boil it. One of the pieces is three feet so not sure how I’d boil it.
You could put it in a large tote or tub and pour boiling water over it.
So the boiling this is more optional just if I want it to sink a little quicker? Cause it’s dried out pretty good my friend doesn’t cut branches off only brings the stuff on the ground home. I have it floating in my old pond so it’s a waiting game now.
Boiling is optional. It helps pull tannins out of the wood faster so your water doesn’t look like tea three days after a massive water change. It will still do it, but not as fast.
Sandblasting really wasn’t necessary since they’re dead branches on the ground...suppose it couldn’t hurt. Boiling will get them to sink faster and eliminate the smell (smells pretty bad from my soaking).
Below are few branches I just soaked in a 55 gallon drum...I used a brick to keep them submerged till water logged. Soaked for about 2 weeks...will keep soaked till I use them:
Will rescape this 75 gal with new wood soon...those are manzanitas in there now:
He makes lamps and other stuff out of the manzanita that’s why he sandblasted them this was just some left over stuff I got to pick through for my tank. The driftwood still looks really good I’m just gonna soak it for awhile I won’t be in a rush. The longer it soaks should help with the tannis I assume.