Driftwood, how long to boil it?
- Thread starter chasely
- Start date
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?threadid=11082
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8139&highlight=tea+colored+wood
Here are two other references points on this same subject. My above point was that some people actually like the tea effect and it doesn't seem to have negative effects on all tanks. and d/t = 'due to', sorry for that...But I agree, I like the clear look myself.
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8139&highlight=tea+colored+wood
Here are two other references points on this same subject. My above point was that some people actually like the tea effect and it doesn't seem to have negative effects on all tanks. and d/t = 'due to', sorry for that...But I agree, I like the clear look myself.
thanks for the links, i'm gonna see if i can bake the piece of wood i found to dry it out some more but i'm pretty sure its good and dead. Does anyone have a specific temp and time i can use so i don't burn down the house? 
also if i do find a piece of driftwood that looks simliar to the one i have i might buy it and replace it with that one i found cuase my dad doesn't want me to spend money on a piece of wood so i went out and found that one on the ground somewhere but i can buy a real one and replace it that way he would think i found that one, but i first have to find one that is the same shape... In case i dont find one how else can i treat it?? it sinks really well but the only thing is the tannins, when i put it in normal outside water temperature water not much tannins are released but after boiling it is like tea colored, any advice will help, thanks again.
also if i do find a piece of driftwood that looks simliar to the one i have i might buy it and replace it with that one i found cuase my dad doesn't want me to spend money on a piece of wood so i went out and found that one on the ground somewhere but i can buy a real one and replace it that way he would think i found that one, but i first have to find one that is the same shape... In case i dont find one how else can i treat it?? it sinks really well but the only thing is the tannins, when i put it in normal outside water temperature water not much tannins are released but after boiling it is like tea colored, any advice will help, thanks again.
Balloon Fish said:
thanks for the links, i'm gonna see if i can bake the piece of wood i found to dry it out some more but i'm pretty sure its good and dead. Does anyone have a specific temp and time i can use so i don't burn down the house? also if i do find a piece of driftwood that looks simliar to the one i have i might buy it and replace it with that one i found cuase my dad doesn't want me to spend money on a piece of wood so i went out and found that one on the ground somewhere but i can buy a real one and replace it that way he would think i found that one, but i first have to find one that is the same shape... In case i dont find one how else can i treat it?? it sinks really well but the only thing is the tannins, when i put it in normal outside water temperature water not much tannins are released but after boiling it is like tea colored, any advice will help, thanks again.
also if i do find a piece of driftwood that looks simliar to the one i have i might buy it and replace it with that one i found cuase my dad doesn't want me to spend money on a piece of wood so i went out and found that one on the ground somewhere but i can buy a real one and replace it that way he would think i found that one, but i first have to find one that is the same shape... In case i dont find one how else can i treat it?? it sinks really well but the only thing is the tannins, when i put it in normal outside water temperature water not much tannins are released but after boiling it is like tea colored, any advice will help, thanks again.
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How much does the water color up when it just sits vs. when you boil it? Boiling will release more tannins. I like the "black water" effect in my SA tanks. The tetras just pop and it is so natural looking. If it only colors your water up a bit if you let it sit in water for a week, you can keep the color down to a dull roar if you do weekly water changes and put a background on the tank so you don't notice the difference straight on. (keep in mind, you probably have it in less water than it would be in a tank as well, so the color would be even more dilute) I have some tanks with driftwood with barely a hint of color to them and others where it's downright murky (but the head & taillights are way cool in it!).
Vicky
If it only colors your water up a bit if you let it sit in water for a week, you can keep the color down to a dull roar if you do weekly water changes and put a background on the tank so you don't notice the difference straight on. (keep in mind, you probably have it in less water than it would be in a tank as well, so the color would be even more dilute) I have some tanks with driftwood with barely a hint of color to them and others where it's downright murky (but the head & taillights are way cool in it!). Vicky
no thx... i like clear water so i can see all my plants at their normal colors and not at a yellowish tint so i can tell if they are growing well and stuff and plus it only takes like 3 hours to get the whole tank yellowish and after a day it'll be like i pee'd in my tank so if i wait for a week to do a water change i won't even see anything in the tank except an inch into it :/