Tannins from driftwood

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piranhaman00

piranhaman00

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Sep 15, 2009
1,920
559
150
Wisconsin
I bought 3 pieces of wood for my tank. 2 or mopani wood and one is just driftwood. I put them in my tank after soaking for a couple days and the water turnedtea colored. How do I remove the tea coloration?

Thanks
 
Take them out and soak them in buckets big enough for them, change water every day until color is gone, might help to add salt and also if the water is hot.
 
I don't know if it's true; because I've never tried it myself, but activated carbon media apparently removes tannins..
 
JC_P said:
I don't know if it's true; because I've never tried it myself, but activated carbon media apparently removes tannins..
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It does to a degree. I have heard Seachem Purigen works much better. I've never wanted to remove tannins though (blackwater lover here). OP your best most effective bet is to remove the wood and boil each piece for 10 minutes. The boiling process will remove FAR more tannins than soaking will. If you don't take the chemical route (carbon or purigen) or boil it, lots of water changes and patience is next in line.
 
JK47 said:
It does to a degree. I have heard Seachem Purigen works much better. I've never wanted to remove tannins though (blackwater lover here). OP your best most effective bet is to remove the wood and boil each piece for 10 minutes. The boiling process will remove FAR more tannins than soaking will. If you don't take the chemical route (carbon or purigen) or boil it, lots of water changes and patience is next in line.
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+1, on the blackwater. I actually prefer it, looks so much more natural.
 
I agree, my fish prefer water with some slight tannins, and I don't mind the look for more active fish. Just keep up the reg water changes and they will reduce
 
I have two large pieces in my 75 that were put in my tanlk 6 years ago and the water is still slightly tea colored but i like it as well as the geos in the the tank.
 
Ya these pieces of driftwood are all relatively small. The biggest is only about 1.5' long.

Ill try boiling and see if that helps.

Also..

Does adding driftwood to a tank change the chemistry of the water significantly? I heard it lowers ph and softens water. Will it do this to a point where my fish could be in danger?

Thanks
 
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