Driftwood help

[Brendan88AUS]

Hello, I am new to driftwood and would like to get some advice. First of all I was wondering how I could try to keep the water clean and not brown tainted from the driftwood? And second, I would like to know if there is anything I can seal the driftwood In to keep it floating? Thanks guys any feed back would be much appreciated

 

[tiger terror]

Boiling dw will remove most of the tannins as well as sterilizing it as well...as far as a sealer to keep it floating,not sure I'd try it as I would be afraid to do fearing that it would result in poisoning the aquarium...

 

[georgetheplec]

eventually it will stop floating and drop

 

[Delapool]

Hello, I am new to driftwood and would like to get some advice. First of all I was wondering how I could try to keep the water clean and not brown tainted from the driftwood? And second, I would like to know if there is anything I can seal the driftwood In to keep it floating? Thanks guys any feed back would be much appreciated

I soaked mine for a week to get rid of any colour. Guess it depends on the wood but I think carbon in filter will clear any tannins. One piece sank after a few days, the other piece I gave up on after 2 weeks and just weighted it down.

 

[Super_Blueberry]

The way I weigh my pieces down is with a slate tile ($1.50 from Menards) and a screw. Depending on how large and buoyant the wood is determines how big of piece you'll need to break the tile into. Then I drill a small hole through the tile and attach the driftwood to it with a deck screw. Then just bury the tile in the substrate. Works perfectly.

Another bonus is you can mount the wood in any orientation as opposed to how it wants to sit naturally...an easy way to show off its best side or make a cave for your guys to hide in

 

[wildroseofky]

If you want to keep it from sinking you can spray it with clear Krylon acrylic spray paint. Do at least three coats and let it dry for a few days. It is safe for tank use after it dries. I did this to a piece of wood to keep the bark on it. It has been in my tank for a year with no problem. If you ever want it to sink you will have to attach a piece of slate to it. After it is clear coated it will not absorb water.

 

[georgetheplec]

id be dubious about spraying anything on it, even though it is probably safe...
i know plecs like to munch on driftwood...ill throw a guess in by saying some other fish do too...
entirely your choice.
couple of screws sounds like a better idea.

 

[Delapool]

Hello, I am new to driftwood and would like to get some advice. First of all I was wondering how I could try to keep the water clean and not brown tainted from the driftwood? And second, I would like to know if there is anything I can seal the driftwood In to keep it floating? Thanks guys any feed back would be much appreciated

Sorry, I mis-read - did you want to keep it floating at surface?

 

[georgetheplec]

lol...nah...it was stupid old me...

 

[Delapool]

Lol usually it is getting the stuff to sink. I've never thought of floating it but curious now on how it would look.

 

[Richardwm]

I'm going to see how floating driftwood is going to look I think it might be a great idea.

 

[Delapool]

I'm going to see how floating driftwood is going to look I think it might be a great idea.

Interesting idea, let us know how it goes. Sounds nice.

 

[Richardwm]

So I floated some drift wood stayed up for a few days and the fish were constantly chilling around it then it just sank but look cool