Drift Wood

AxolotlMan · 12-04-2011, 09:00 PM

I got drift wood today, and i heard i am supose to soak it in water before putting it in my tank. How long am i supose to soak it for?

and also i would like to know how to make the wood sink.

Thank you

bmoore09 · 12-04-2011, 10:09 PM

If it's store-bought driftwood it should be pre-soaked and should sink on it's own. I got mine at the store, and put it in a cooler with water for a week. I changed out the water once a day and boiled it on the stove about 3 times. It was still turning the water slightly brown in the cooler but I decided to put it in anyways. I never saw the tank turn colors or anything.
If you're not sure where it comes from (non-store, non pre-soaked), I would leave it soaking for much longer in water before putting it in your tank. I dont' have any experience with this, but from what I hear tannins can keep seeping in the tank for a year or so.

I do have carbon in my filter that I change out once a month. I think it's supposed to help with the tannins and the tank water turning brown. This may be why I didnt see any change in my water color.

I would just stick it in a big bucket, or drink cooler overnight with water and see what happens. If it doesn't turn it too brown you may be ok. As far as it sinking I think it just takes time.

I'm sure others will chime in...good luck!

Kehy · 12-04-2011, 10:17 PM

Soak till it sinks, boil until is doesn't leech tannins anymore

Summer · 12-04-2011, 11:16 PM

It will sink on it's own time, or you can weigh it down. Boiling it depends on how much (or little) tannins you want in your tank.

AxolotlMan · 12-05-2011, 08:26 AM

Okay,Thanks i will just be paient. Could you tell me what tannins are?

bmoore09 · 12-05-2011, 08:31 AM

Couldn't tell you the real definition...but it's the brown stuff that leaks from the wood into your water.

Kehy · 12-05-2011, 11:08 AM

They are what give you that nice brown water that fish love... Also used for tanning (preparing) leather, hence tan-ins

12-04-2011, 09:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
AxolotlMan AxolotlMan's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 35 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Drift Wood I got drift wood today, and i heard i am supose to soak it in water before putting it in my tank. How long am i supose to soak it for? and also i would like to know how to make the wood sink. Thank you

12-04-2011, 10:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
bmoore09 bmoore09's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 191 Name: Anthony Moore Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 13 Times Was Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Drift Wood If it's store-bought driftwood it should be pre-soaked and should sink on it's own. I got mine at the store, and put it in a cooler with water for a week. I changed out the water once a day and boiled it on the stove about 3 times. It was still turning the water slightly brown in the cooler but I decided to put it in anyways. I never saw the tank turn colors or anything. If you're not sure where it comes from (non-store, non pre-soaked), I would leave it soaking for much longer in water before putting it in your tank. I dont' have any experience with this, but from what I hear tannins can keep seeping in the tank for a year or so. I do have carbon in my filter that I change out once a month. I think it's supposed to help with the tannins and the tank water turning brown. This may be why I didnt see any change in my water color. I would just stick it in a big bucket, or drink cooler overnight with water and see what happens. If it doesn't turn it too brown you may be ok. As far as it sinking I think it just takes time. I'm sure others will chime in...good luck!

12-04-2011, 10:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kehy master of the mini-tank Kehy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,196 Name: Kehy Location: Ellensburg, Washington Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 374 Times Said "Thanks" 84 Times Was Thanked 334 Times in 324 Posts	Re: Drift Wood Soak till it sinks, boil until is doesn't leech tannins anymore __________________ Lead me not to temptation...I can make it there myself just fine, thank you

12-04-2011, 11:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Summer Susan and Bev's protégé Summer's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2,504 Name: Summer Location: Pennsylvania My location Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1,138 Times Said "Thanks" 168 Times Was Thanked 571 Times in 552 Posts	Re: Drift Wood It will sink on it's own time, or you can weigh it down. Boiling it depends on how much (or little) tannins you want in your tank. __________________ "Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

12-05-2011, 08:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
AxolotlMan AxolotlMan's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 35 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Drift Wood Okay,Thanks i will just be paient. Could you tell me what tannins are?

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12-05-2011, 08:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
bmoore09 bmoore09's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 191 Name: Anthony Moore Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 13 Times Was Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Drift Wood Couldn't tell you the real definition...but it's the brown stuff that leaks from the wood into your water.

12-05-2011, 11:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
Kehy master of the mini-tank Kehy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,196 Name: Kehy Location: Ellensburg, Washington Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 374 Times Said "Thanks" 84 Times Was Thanked 334 Times in 324 Posts	Re: Drift Wood They are what give you that nice brown water that fish love... Also used for tanning (preparing) leather, hence tan-ins __________________ Lead me not to temptation...I can make it there myself just fine, thank you

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