How long does it normally take for bog wood to leech all its tannins, i've had it boiling in a pot for about a day now and its still leechin.
Frickin Bog Wood
- Thread starter QueenslandeR
- Start date
Just put it in a tank and the tannins will make you want to do tons of waterchanges. After a month or so it will stop. Makes water changes all that more gratifying, instant clarification!
Just alittle while ago I bought 4 peices of wood and boiled them all for about 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours over about a weeks time. They were still leaking tannins when I boiled them but I put them in the tank anyway and the water is crystal clear. I think the carbon in the filter takes care of the tannins.
I bought a huge piece of driftwood, knowing that there was no way I could ever boil it. Our shower has one of those removable shower heads with a hose deal. Spent 15 minutes rinsing it with the water all the way hot, and stuck it in the tank.
Been a month now, still have clear water.
Maybe lucky?
Been a month now, still have clear water.
Maybe lucky?
I have 3 peices of driftwood in my tank and they still leech tannins and its been set up for more than 2 years. I soaked them for like 2 months before hand and then put them thru the dishwasher a couple of times.
It really depends on the wood some can take weeks to leech all its tannins and some can take years.
It really depends on the wood some can take weeks to leech all its tannins and some can take years.
loads and loads of carbon Well, here is an in-depth (sorta) guide to how to do driftwood my way.
Step 1: Pick out your driftwood, check to make sure it has no bark on it and make sure it looks good and water worn since this would mean its pretty old. A bonus is to look for pieces that are already water logged and will sink.
Step 2: Get a large bucket, or something that u can keep the whole driftwood piece submerged in.
Step 3: Rinse your driftwood well, make sure u scrub it to take off any leaves or gunk stuck in it.
Step 4: Use a bleach solution of 5-10 parts water to 1 part bleach and scrub the wood again, this should kill most harmfull bacteria. Rinse well.
Step 5: Let it soak in water in your large bucket outside. Preform occasional water changes, just whenever u feel like it works.
Step 6: Boil your driftwood about 1-2 hours in salt water, this should take care of most of the bacteria, and the salt in the water helps bring out some more of the tannins.
Step 7: One more run through with a 5 or 10 to 1 water to bleach solution. Rinse this VERY well, and then put it in water and put some declore u use for your tank in the bucket. This should rid it of any bleach left behind.
Step 8: Place the piece in your tank. Tie it with fishing line to a rock if it is still not water logged. Also, get a small bagy of carbon, and poke holes in it small enough that carbon won't drop into your filter, but water can pass through the bag. Place this bag in your filter. That should keep the water clearer and make ur tank look better.
Step 9: Enjoy your home-picked, fish-safe driftwood.
Step 1: Pick out your driftwood, check to make sure it has no bark on it and make sure it looks good and water worn since this would mean its pretty old. A bonus is to look for pieces that are already water logged and will sink.
Step 2: Get a large bucket, or something that u can keep the whole driftwood piece submerged in.
Step 3: Rinse your driftwood well, make sure u scrub it to take off any leaves or gunk stuck in it.
Step 4: Use a bleach solution of 5-10 parts water to 1 part bleach and scrub the wood again, this should kill most harmfull bacteria. Rinse well.
Step 5: Let it soak in water in your large bucket outside. Preform occasional water changes, just whenever u feel like it works.
Step 6: Boil your driftwood about 1-2 hours in salt water, this should take care of most of the bacteria, and the salt in the water helps bring out some more of the tannins.
Step 7: One more run through with a 5 or 10 to 1 water to bleach solution. Rinse this VERY well, and then put it in water and put some declore u use for your tank in the bucket. This should rid it of any bleach left behind.
Step 8: Place the piece in your tank. Tie it with fishing line to a rock if it is still not water logged. Also, get a small bagy of carbon, and poke holes in it small enough that carbon won't drop into your filter, but water can pass through the bag. Place this bag in your filter. That should keep the water clearer and make ur tank look better.
Step 9: Enjoy your home-picked, fish-safe driftwood.