Tannic Acid from Drift wood.

[BlackLagoon]

I got a few pieces of driftwood and they are starting to leak tannins in 2 of my tanks. Will it harm my fishes? I keep convict cichlids.

 

[elmorgo]

nope tannins will be abundant in their natural ecosystem. think how many sticks fall in a river or lake! so they will be fine the stain should go after a while with water changes, could aid removal of the taint with some carbon in your filter.

 

[bubbles21476]

I took me about 5 weeks to get rid of the discoloration of the water between regular water changes and carbon. The tannns will not hurt the fish.

 

[BlackLagoon]

Thanks for the replies.. I was afraid that It will kill my fish, I guess I shouldn't have trusted the guy that sold it to me when he said that it was already treated and ready to use.. Well now I'm actually thinking of keeping one of the thanks in dark water, it seems more mysterious that way and the fish seems to be more relaxed..

 

[Chromobotia]

Keep an eye on your PH. Driftwood will lower your PH.

 

[Toby_H]

The guy didn't necessarily mislead you when he suggested it was treated and ready to use. There are a lot of things that can be done to make wood "treated and ready for use". Hot Saltwater bathes are a great way to "cure" wood for use and is what was probably meant. Since removing all of the tannic acid is not required for safe use, there is no reason the seller should feel obligated to remove it all.


As described above, the tannic acid (tannins) is not at all harmful to your fish in and of it;sef... but being an acid, it will have an acidic effect on your water, or in other words, will lower your PH/KH...