DanS180
Aquarium Advice Addict
Okay so i bought 2 pieces of driftwood today and the only thing I know to do is to soak them for a week or so.. anything else I should know??
bettaowner said:Boiling the wood might be more effective. Don't worry this won't damage the wood.
jcolon said:You'll want to try and boil or soak with hot water to help get rid if tannins and microbes. A neat trick is to run it in an empty dishwasher on high temp.. W/out detergent naturally. Two runs might be better.
Greater-Ajax said:ya, your going to want to soak it for a while.
Thats what I tried to do with mine, but it sank the first time I put it in. It was ironwood...
Run thru the dishwasher twice and then soak afterwards??
jcolon said:Yep... There have been members that have done this before. Others have just run it twice and then right to the tank ... Assuming it'll already sink. LFS DW is probably Mopani, Malaysian or Manzanita so it should already sink.
If boiling isn't an option, I'd run it through the dishwasher twice, then soak for a day or two ... To both get rid of tannins and microbes.
Post pics once they're in the tank.
jcolon said:Looks like Malaysian DW ... I Like the one in the middle .. looks like it's got an opening where fish can swim through. Don't be surprised if your water does get a bit brownish tea color (harmless) ... DW can often leach tannins for weeks ... even after soaking, boiling etc.
DanS180 said:It is Malaysian dw anything I can do to clear up the water IF it gets brownish??
christine2012 said:Water changes. Some have had luck with carbon. Heck, you might really like the look of tannins. My dw leaches some, but it gives my tank a 'rustic' feel that I really like.
christine2012 said:Good luck! Dw is a pain but its totally worth it
DanS180 said:Lol thanks but why is it a pain??
christine2012 said:It can be. It took me months to get my wood cured (but that was before I heard of the dishwasher trick ) I was helping a member on here who had black water from tannins, and just didn't have much luck at all. I guess it all depends on the wood lol
BlaseMrNiceguy said:I have had luck with carbon it really helps keep my water clear.