i bought some java fern to plant on driftwood...i've had one piece for two weeks..soaking..i started boiling it yesterday..the thing still doesnt sink..i bought another piece this one mopani..it atleast sinks...tannins are still seeping out and this is taking forever...grrrr
frustrated with driftwood
- Thread starter giggalz
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Hubert90
Aquarium Advice Addict
giggalz said:
Ya driftwoods are like that. How big are they? And have u tried attaching/lashing ur first piece of driftwood down with a piece of rock?
Gillie
Aquarium Advice Addict
Carbon in your filter will absorb tannins.
it hasnt even made it into the tank because it still leeches out tannins..the one piece i will have too..the other piece..mopani i probably wont..not that big i dont think...their both about 7 to 8 inches long..the mopani is small..like a stick...just maybe 2 inches around...the other is little bit thicker...
rich311k
Aquarium Advice Addict
Some wood will never sink, boiling the wood or running it through the dishwasher (no soap) can help release tannins, as stated fresh carbon in the filter change biweekly can help get rid of the color.
Gillie
Aquarium Advice Addict
The dishwasher eh, now there is a good idea. It would be a great one if the risks to my physical well being weren't so great 
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really????
rich311k
Aquarium Advice Addict
The dishwasher eh, now there is a good idea. It would be a great one if the risks to my physical well being weren't so great
That is the downside of that plan, I wait till the Mrs has a business trip. If she knew what I have put in the dish washer I would be a dead man.
Gillie
Aquarium Advice Addict
Absolutely, I don't use it myself I like the look of the tannins in the water, but it does remove them.
BfishLpond78
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I had large pieces of Malaysian driftwood. I boiled them for 3 hours and then soaked them in a 5 gallon bucket for almost a month. I probably removed about 90% of the tannins. I put them in my tank and the water had a slight tinge to it but nothing bad, but i still wanted the crystal clear water. Like you i posted something and then someone directed me toward Seachem Purigen, i got that and the bags that come with it and stuck them right in my HOB filter compartment and withing 8 hours my tank was crystal clear again. The good thing is it can be used over and over again cause it's "rechargeable" Some people have had success with it. I know i love it.
But it does take along time to really get rid of all tannins. 20-25% PWC really help too. Just give it time.
As far as wood actually sinking, i've hear of people having to wait 3 month for it to sink, just tie a big rock to it and leave it in a bucket.
But it does take along time to really get rid of all tannins. 20-25% PWC really help too. Just give it time.
As far as wood actually sinking, i've hear of people having to wait 3 month for it to sink, just tie a big rock to it and leave it in a bucket.
jimenezlee
Aquarium Advice Activist
A common suggestion is to find a piece of slate, drill a couple of holes in it and screw it to the driftwood. Instant sink-o.
i've heard of the purigen..i think i'm gonna have to get it depending on the price of it...kinda mad at myself for rescaping all of the rocks in my tank..which is hard to do in a tall tank..and get everything to sit still and not fall off suddenly on any fish..
btw boiling driftwood really stinks lol..not sure i want to change my filter..it cost me 30ish bucks for filters..and i think i got two out of it..wasnt worth it at all...i might cry if i woke up and found diarrhea water in my tank..my cichlids my not like it either..
btw boiling driftwood really stinks lol..not sure i want to change my filter..it cost me 30ish bucks for filters..and i think i got two out of it..wasnt worth it at all...i might cry if i woke up and found diarrhea water in my tank..my cichlids my not like it either..
Tim Wheatley
Aquarium Advice Addict
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2011
- Messages
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I just buy hard wood rather than soft wood. Sinks immediately.
Gillie
Aquarium Advice Addict
Depending on the cichlids they may love it. There are also benefits to tannins, they have antibacterial and antifungal properties along with helping to inhibit algae growth, so it's not all bad. then again I have seen blackwater tanks the color of strong tea making it nearly impossible to view the inhabitants, it's just matters of personal preference.
I can't comment on the Purigen as I have never used it, I try to let nature do it's thing in my tanks, so chemical removers and such don't get used.
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BfishLpond78
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Sorry for the delay i was coaching. Ok, Purigen is a granular substance, it comes in bottles and they sell bags for it as well. Depending on the size of your tank.
Amazon.com: Seachem Purigen 250mL: Kitchen & Dining
you can buy at alot of online stores i just wanted to give you an idea of what it is. Some of them come with a bag, others don't. I bought two bags and one 250ml bottle and it was enough to clear up my 55gal. I'm sure you can get away with just using a stocking, but i have a habit of buying things so i bought the bag they recommended.
Amazon.com: Seachem Purigen 250mL: Kitchen & Dining
you can buy at alot of online stores i just wanted to give you an idea of what it is. Some of them come with a bag, others don't. I bought two bags and one 250ml bottle and it was enough to clear up my 55gal. I'm sure you can get away with just using a stocking, but i have a habit of buying things so i bought the bag they recommended.
BfishLpond78
Aquarium Advice FINatic
BfishLpond78
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Awesome, I hope you get the same result as I did
hope so too
