Dirt+Tannins=Messy

[Crazyhermitcrab]

hello! I own a cycled 36 gallon bowfront. It has great filtration and has been running for 7 months. It is stocked with livebearers, cories, and ottos.
I never "aquascaped" it. I just let it turn into a jungle. So now. It's just a mess. Its so dense you can't see through. I have 2 inches of playsand as my substrate.
I am going to be completely draining the tank so I can change to a dirted substrate. I want to cap the dirt with sand. Should I use new playsand or the same playsand? Also, I am adding a lot of malaysian driftwood. What is the fastest way to remove "most" of the tannins.
EDIT: Also how do I reduce the changes of an ammonia spike from the dirt.

 

[Mattfinn]

Take the largest pot you have I use a brewing pot and boil the drift wood. I have boiled logs for up to 16 hours on and off at 2 hours each time drain water soak for an hour then boil again. You can see really how much tannins are still being released by the hour soak.


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[mattcham]

See here:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2995438

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[Crazyhermitcrab]

See here:

Mebbid's high tech 40b journal - Page 9 - Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community

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Thanks. Your very helpful