Mopani drift wood for fish tank - staining water.

[Eug]

So I bought this wood to stick in my fish tank. The instructions say to minimize discolouration of the water to soak it in water in a separate container for a while.

Well, I've been doing this for 3 days with water changes 2-3X per day and every time the water still comes out like strong tea after a few hours.

How long is this gonna take me? Or should I just give up and stick it in the fish tank? I've heard many fish actually like the tannins, as long as I can keep the pH in check.

The tank will be a 20 gallon, with an AquaClear 200 (with carbon).

 

[loup garou]

Try boiling it if you have a pot big enough. That worked for me, but it seriously took the color of the wood down a couple of notches.

 

[TheNinja]

Why do you need wood in your fish tank?

 

[Eug]

Why do you need wood in your fish tank?

I don't need it but I just like the look of it. The fake wood they sell looks... well... fake.

Try boiling it if you have a pot big enough. That worked for me, but it seriously took the color of the wood down a couple of notches.

Well, I've been using hot tap water and changing it when it cools. Maybe I'll have to consider boiling it. I was just hoping I wouldn't have to go to the trouble. I don't care that much if the colour of the wood changes. I just like the natural wood shape and look.

 

[gtsukada]

the tanins are actually good for some fish so you may want to think about keeping it like that. if it's so bad you can't even see the fish then i would boil it and submerge it for a few days.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: gtsukada
the tanins are actually good for some fish so you may want to think about keeping it like that. if it's so bad you can't even see the fish then i would boil it and submerge it for a few days.

Maybe I'll keep soaking it in hot water for the rest of the week. The tank isn't ready yet anyway - needs to condition for another week or so.

 

[tweakmm]

If there is a Ph shift it is going to be felt pretty hard with a 20 gallon tank, so you should keep that in mind. I really know nothing about mopani drift wood though. Have you noticed the coloration of the water getting lighter at all?

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: tweakmm
If there is a Ph shift it is going to be felt pretty hard with a 20 gallon tank, so you should keep that in mind. I really know nothing about mopani drift wood though. Have you noticed the coloration of the water getting lighter at all?

The discolouration is finally getting to be light. And this is after almost 2 weeks of putting hot tap water in a container with the wood, a 2-3X a day, 4-5 days a week.

I think I'll finally be able to put the wood in my tank next week. Less discolouration and hopefully less pH shift.