Driftwood Question

[txfatcat]

When I purchased my 110 gallon, the gentleman had a very large piece of driftwood that he had cut himself.  He had it in his tank and it was bleeding like normal making the tank water the normal brown color.  He did some research and found that the wood was rotting and that he eneded to dry it out first.  He let it dry for almost a year. I have it in my tank and its bleeding again.   I love the way this piece looks and it was free(free not always good) so I dont want to have to buy another one if I dont have to.

My question is:

1.  was this the proper proceedure to dry
2. how long will the wood continue to bleed if I just leave it in
3.  what am I missing doing wrong

[edmlfc]

Re: Driftwood Question

I heard if you boil it for an hour or two it should stop the bleeding.

Here is a article about curing driftwood:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1980&articleid=3319

[JStrider]

Re: Driftwood Question

its pretty normal for the wood to "bleed" or leech tanins into the water and give it a tea colored tint.  you can speed up the process by boiling the driftwood for a while and replacing the water whenever its become significantly tinted.

[txfatcat]

Re: Driftwood Question

well i will have to have a huge boiler if thats the case. This piece is about 31" x12" x28 . I will look at the article.

[txfatcat]

Re: Driftwood Question

wow thats a good article. I will have to add it to my archives.

[JStrider]

Re: Driftwood Question

you can just put it in big bucket and dump boiling water on top of it, but I dont think that would work as well as boiling it in a pot.


or you can just leave it, and do water changes eventually it will probably stop.  The tannins are harmless to the fish, but they may lower your PH some, depending on the waters buffering capability

my tank still has a pretty good tint too it after a couple weeks without water changes and I've had the roots in there for 3ish months. it is gradually getting lighter tho.

[txfatcat]

Re: Driftwood Question

Yes I love the way it looks so may just do normal water changes and see what happens.

thanks for the advice from all.

[JStrider]

Re: Driftwood Question

If anyone asks why its tinted like that, just tell them its tinted with the blood of people who ask too many questions

[SteveCGG]

Re: Driftwood Question

I had a large piece of driftwood that I cured by using the bathtub as a bucket...it took about a week of leaching, draining, rinsing with the shower, etc, then put it in my tank...no leaching in the tank at all!