Wood For Softening Water

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
cockroach

cockroach

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Jul 28, 2005
3,280
2,235
179
Taiwan
The was 0 help in the "Setup and Filtration" section, so was hoping someone would help here.

I am planning on changing my 6' tank into a south american tank (mainly angels, looking at changing some tanks, one scalare and perhaps doing a altum tank and leopoldi tank) and have quite a bit of driftwood in already. Now my question is, would changing one or two of my Asian Style OHF chambers/compartments to wood chippings help to soften the water suitably for SA cichlids like acara, eartheaters or angels?

The wood I am thinking of using would be small pieces of driftwood from an LFS broken into smaller pieces for slightly greater surface area, almost like homemade woodchips. Would this be more stable than using peat as these little pieces of wood will leach tannins slower and more constantly than peat.
 
I could do anything from 1kg to 4kg (2-8lbs), maybe even a bit more.
I am not sure of the wood but I have been using the same type in my tanks for 5 years and some are still leaching tannins, hence my thinking.
 
I don't think it will work. What are the readings of your source water? If they are a lot different than what your trying to achieve, a water storage system would work better. You change the water parameters in your storage tank, and then use it for water changes. I don't think wood chips are going to give better results than peat moss and almond leaves. Also just because your driftwood it still leeching tannins after 5 years does mean it is softening the water. Have you tested it?

Jerry
 
cockroach;2862231; said:
The wood I am thinking of using would be small pieces of driftwood from an LFS broken into smaller pieces for slightly greater surface area, almost like homemade woodchips. Would this be more stable than using peat as these little pieces of wood will leach tannins slower and more constantly than peat.
Click to expand...
What are your KH and pH? You need RO water to adjust your KH thus enabling you to lower the pH.
 
I will be call the municipal water company this week to find out all the specs and then post them on here.
 
cockroach;2883448; said:
I will be call the municipal water company this week to find out all the specs and then post them on here.
Click to expand...

It would be more helpful to know in-tank parameters. Got a test kit(s)?
 
you can lower water hardness and ph by using drift wood, the tannins in the wood will do this. however it is not a sustainable method of softening water as all the tanins will eventually have been leached. also if you're a fan of big water chanages it will cause ph fluctuation....im at work cant say no more, when i go i'll give you a link to a very intersting article that will help you

ro is the best method
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom