driftwood

[thechief]

i found this awesome piece of wood outside in my yard that has a natural cave inside it and it would be perfect for the crawfish in my tank and i was wondering what i have to do to make a safe transfer into my tank the top of it has been burned so i grinded down most of the burnt part but i dont want it turning my water any colors so help me out here guys heres some pictures...

 

[thechief]

im thinking about boiling it because it looks like there might be mites so would that be the way to go? boiling it for a while? please help out here guys if you know how to do this or if its even possible

 

[Bderick67]

I would boil it. You may need to get a piece of slate to put it on, it looks like the type wood that never sinks.

 

[thechief]

so i will boil it and if it doesnt sink put something on it to weigh it down? will it turn my water any colors?

 

[cali~budfish]

Yeah I've never done it but it looks like that would fit in a pot and you could boil it on the stove. But for as the water turning color pretty sure any driftwood colors water at least for some months. Make sure you boil it though I learned the hard way.

 

[thechief]

Yeah I've never done it but it looks like that would fit in a pot and you could boil it on the stove. But for as the water turning color pretty sure any driftwood colors water at least for some months. Make sure you boil it though I learned the hard way.

so pretty much no matter what i do it will turn my water some kind of color? even if i soak it in a different container for a few weeks or months? im about to boil it right now

 

[docturtle91b]

I've done this with a few pieces and its worked for me. I make a paste made from hydrogen peroxide and kosher salt. Then I take a stiff nylon brush and clean the driftwood. From there I put it in the shower and clean it with the water as hot as it will go. Then I take the wood outside and place it on the patio to dry completely in the sun for a few days. From there the wood is placed in a tub of water usually the 150g trough and allowed to soak until it sinks. This can take a few weeks to a month. Once water logged the wood is again scrubbed but this time the paste consists of water and kosher salt. Then the wood is rinsed again in hot water and finally placed in the aquarium.

 

[docturtle91b]

Oh yeah. The longer you soak the wood in the tubs outside the less tannins it will release into your water so the less staining.

 

[sheheartsfish]

Love the natural cave! Not all driftwood turns your water a different color. I would boil it, then soak it in a bucket for at least 48 hours. If it turns the bucket water a different color, then soak it longer. Otherwise, it won't turn your water colors.

 

[thechief]

I've done this with a few pieces and its worked for me. I make a paste made from hydrogen peroxide and kosher salt. Then I take a stiff nylon brush and clean the driftwood. From there I put it in the shower and clean it with the water as hot as it will go. Then I take the wood outside and place it on the patio to dry completely in the sun for a few days. From there the wood is placed in a tub of water usually the 150g trough and allowed to soak until it sinks. This can take a few weeks to a month. Once water logged the wood is again scrubbed but this time the paste consists of water and kosher salt. Then the wood is rinsed again in hot water and finally placed in the aquarium.

sounds interesting any pictures of it?