Removing Tannins from Water

[LIB]

Set up my new tank two weeks ago with driftwood I'd used before but it's been sitting in a box since my move a year ago. I soaked it the tub overnight and then dropped it in my tank. If memory serves me correct, it wasn't doing that in its previous tank when I dismantled it. I've changed the water once so far but it's still browning the water. I guess I could make a complete water change again but waiting for my new filter system to arrive (Eheim 2217-37) before I do.

I have a regular filter running (Penguin 200) but don't think that's helping much. I did read somewhere carbon will eliminate the situation; any other suggestions from all you aquarium experts?

LIB

[Warlock]

it take weeks and weeks.. they are not harmful to the tank.. but there is no quick way.. i have heard of people that boil it.. but it may not fit in a pot very well

[jhenry]

The best way to remove tannins from the water is WC after WC after WC boiling the piece will not do it. It will just help it sink and not float. Let the water brown up up do a 90%WC and keep doing it till it slows down that is what ice done in the past

[mgarrido]

Water change and pack your canister filter with purigen or carbon (purigen is better and it's rechargeable).

[jhenry]

Water change and pack your canister filter with purigen or carbon (purigen is better and it's rechargeable).

+1 Purigen all the way

[armthehomeless]

Large amounts of carbon will work over a short periods of time. Purigen works too. I personally don't mind the yellow-brownish water. WC is porbably your best (and cheapest) bet though.

[LIB]

You guys are T-RIFFIC! I knew I'd get some good answers and advice. Once the new filter system gets here, I'll do a complete water change. I know nothing about it.......can I use the purigen with it?

LIB

[sunkenmetal]

It will probably take a while for it to cure and all the Tannins to come out of the wood. I am soaking a piece of drift wood in trash can in the back yard right now...

[myjohnson]

Large amounts of carbon will work over a short periods of time. Purigen works too. I personally don't mind the yellow-brownish water. WC is porbably your best (and cheapest) bet though.

I too love the black amazonian water look.

[LIB]

My new filter arrived this morning so I am extremely excited to learn how it works, get it started and eventually start adding fish. As I asked before but don't see an answer.........can I use purigen with this new filter?

LIB

[sunkenmetal]

My new filter arrived this morning so I am extremely excited to learn how it works, get it started and eventually start adding fish. As I asked before but don't see an answer.........can I use purigen with this new filter?

LIB

Is it a canister filter....? Yes you can use Purigen... but still like everyone says water changes are the best and cheapest way to get rid of the black water. It is going to leach tannins for a while. The bigger the pieces the longer it will leach.

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Purigen.html

Do you have fish in the tank? What temp is your tank at? I’ve noticed soaking a piece of drift wood in a garbage can that if i leave it in the shade with the lid off the water doesn't get very brown. But if I Leave it in the Houston sun all day with the lid on the water get so dark i can’t see the drift wood. So in my experience Warmer water helps the Tannins leach out faster. So if you don’t like the black water look take the drift wood out and boil it if you can. If too big put it in a clean or new trash can with a lid. Let her sit in the summer sun, change the water every day and it should clear up in now time.