Anthony Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 hey i just purchased a piece of drift wood from the fish shop i put it to soak in hot water and the waters changed colour how long should i leave it in the water for before putting it in my tank i tried using the search thing for such a basic question but no luck. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 some say keep it soaked and keep changing the water in the bucket until it only changes to a faint colour. but that takes too long, so i boil it to make sure, though most commercially available driftwood is already treated; and then I soak it over night, or just put it in the tank as is. Keep that carbon in the filter (or bio chem zorb if youre that way inclined) and the tannins shall not be a problem. what sort of fish do you have? S. Americans love those tannins, and the yellowish water. Does good things for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 cheers for that in the tank there in at the moment nothing im just setting it up its the first time ive used drift wood in a tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Depends on what you want to see in your tank. Tannins wont effect the fish except it will slightly lower the ph. For most fish this is good. The longer you soak it, the less tannins to leech into your tank. I personally like the look of the tea coloured water as I find the fish look more colourful. Personal preferance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Will that water stay that tea colour for ever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 water changes and time will get rid of it eventually. I don't like the tannin look in water cause its all yellow-like you can always let the water go that colour, and if you decide you dont like it - chuck some carbon in the filter and the colour will go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gecko Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Don't worry if it's not a huge amount, it won't harm the fish. And if it's pretty much made the water go yellow-ish, still no harm done. Most fish love the it and can sometimes make a fish more colourful. Although the water may fade slightly as the filter might clean it up a bit. Or depending on how messy your fish are, I'd say it might get a bit darker. I did the same thing, except I got my drift wood from the beach. So many interesting pieces there but a much longer process before putting them in the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 my filter does have carbon in it i might leave it to soak then chuck it in the tank tomorrow. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 I usually boil it for a good 3 hours or so usually does the trick. If it still leeches boil it some more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Personally I think the only thing that is achieved by boiling it is a bigger power bill. Chuck it in the tank and do some regular water changes if you dont like the colour. Your fish will love you for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 I chuck mine in the bath for 2-3 days. It doesn't fit in a pot. Hot water makes it leech faster and turns the bath really brown. Just means we have to shower instead :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 alright haha cheers guys its boiling in the bath right now hope it doesnt turn the bath too brown my old lady will kill me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 It will not discolour the bath :lol: Some fish love the colour, angels particularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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