Drift woods
- Thread starter Antwan
- Start date
Discolored driftwood, pretty much all driftwood is the same, i should show u a picture of 2 of my tanks, 1 of them is nice and clear and one is murky and they both have driftwood in them. But it's because i'm too lazy to boil it. LOL, well okay all you have to do to make sure it won't discolor you'r aquarium is to boil it, then let it sit in the bath tub or something for 3-7 days, until the water is pretty much not discolored anymore
I agree with aber, a few days of soak should take the tea colour out.
On the other hand, once you see the tea coloured effect you might like it. Tetras, and discus seem to colour up great in it, probably cause of the lower PH.
As for where to get driftwood.
Go to a (clean) lake, and look around the shores.
If you have a mask jump in and look around the bottom. then dry it for a couple of weeks. secure it to a piece of slate.
Why people purchase driftwood is beyond me
On the other hand, once you see the tea coloured effect you might like it. Tetras, and discus seem to colour up great in it, probably cause of the lower PH.
As for where to get driftwood.
Go to a (clean) lake, and look around the shores.
If you have a mask jump in and look around the bottom. then dry it for a couple of weeks. secure it to a piece of slate.
Why people purchase driftwood is beyond me
yeah, I kinda like the tea color effect, and most fish appreciate it to.
They actually sell it in a bottle, its called Dark Water Extract I believe, and I think just about every company offers it (kent, seachem, etc)
Its very usefull in reducing stress among fish and getting fish to breed. You'll get used to the color
They actually sell it in a bottle, its called Dark Water Extract I believe, and I think just about every company offers it (kent, seachem, etc)
Its very usefull in reducing stress among fish and getting fish to breed. You'll get used to the color
I can say one thing if your tank is already set up make sure the wood doesn't float because if you find a nice piece that you want to you use and it floats it will take a long time for it to submerge I live right next to a river and I put an ancor or weights on them and they take months sometimes to stay submerged on there own depending on the type of wood? I find its best to stay with wood that comes out of the water that is already submerged salt or fresh and you are taking a chance with any wood no matter where you get it. I always bleach it sorry but thats my choice and I've never had a problem. I wish I could boil some pieces I've had but there just to long.
I just steeped my driftwood in coldwater over night and then took it out and then put it in very ot water for about 5-6 hours. Then I made sure there was no crap on it by going over it with my hand to get the bits and pieces off. Then I put it in my tank and the water is fine. This other time with my other piece of driftwood I boiled it for 20 mins to half an hour then I put it in and it killed my 3 harelquin rasbora's so steeping it overthing seems to work.
so steeping it overthing seems to work.
whenever I decide I want to add drift wood I normall will soak it in a garbage can for about 4 months or maybe longer. I will weigh it down with some heavy rocks and I change the water every week. After 4 months it should be well absorbed and the discolored water will be gone. As with everything. Patience and planning is the key. I would try boiling every once in a while if I can get hold of a big enough pot. All this does is expand the wood so that water can get in and speed the process up a little. Good luck with it