tree branches in a cichlid tank

[jagsandpits]

so i found nice wood/branches form the beach they are both around 6 feet long i plan to put them in my 125 .i was advised to put it in a body of fresh water so it could soak and water log, the reason im posting this on here is cuz most of u guys know me on here and ive been given some solid help/advice these past couple months. im very excited to add these pieces to my aquarium eventually so how long should i soak it for? theyr not sappy or green because its been sitting on the beach probly dead for a wile. also after it soaks and its ready to go how do i deal with parasites from the lake and all that?im not going to be able to boil it so would drieing it in the sun help kill unwanted things and watnot? wat do u guys think???

 

[duanes]

How long you soak it, depends on how dry and buoyant it is, and drying it in the sun will tend yo make it more buoyant.
I soak mine in a rain barrel, sometimes a month, sometimes 6 months.
Soaking also helps leach out tannins that can turn your tank water brown, and if there ar fish parasites, the long soak without a host can kill them.

 

[virgil2090]

i have filled the tub with hot water for bigger pieces of wood,then added a small amount of bleach...maybe 1/4 of a cup.if you do that you will need to rinse and soak again with de-chlorinator

 

[David R]

I'd soak it until it sinks, rinse/clean and add to tank. I've never been particularly worried about "parasites" from wild-collected drift wood, though most of the stuff I have has come from salt water beaches. If you're paranoid give it a clean with a weak bleach solution then soak, or pour boiling water over it before adding it to the tank.