In my past experience if you soak it in warm water in a large container for 2 hours then just empty the water fill it again leave it again empty again then refill the container and leave it for 48 hours cleans it well but all tannins will never be completely leach out, but you'll get most of it.
Ive always been wary about bleach too. Instead of pouring peroxide, ive dumped a bottle into a bucket of water and just soaked it for a few days. It has time to work, and no worries about embedded peroxide getting into the water column. (To be safe, i also try to let the tank cycle for a while before adding fish) Edit: a pressure washer is good for initial cleanup too.
Is there a way to sanitize large pieces of driftwood? I collected some pretty pieces from a local beach and I’m hoping I can sanitize and use them in a freshwater tank, I’ve had them soaking out in a pond for about 6 months.
That's one way, soak in a pond or some sort of large container. Garbage can or some large tote. You could always cut it and sanitize the smaller pieces. It could be put back together (glue or silicone) depending on wood. Some softer wood might not hold up to cutting. If the wood is not going into a tank with living animals, i.e. the fish and other animals will be added later, let it soak in the tank itself for some time before added in fish.
I once boiled wood for 10 days straight, 24/7 - I gave up at that point, still getting dark brown water. Yes, changed water every day to help. At that point decided it was OUTSIDE THE AQUARIUM decor... I tried recently again [after 27 years] to use driftwood in a tank - driftwood I'd found myself so wondered if North American driftwood might not have the tannins-level the darker imported stuff has? It did. Is it just part of the decomposition process and is obliged to keep happening? Now that I'd learned about Seachem Purigen, I thought that might be my magic-ticket to having driftwood in my tanks but it didn't completely clean the water after many days [I had taken the driftwood out at that point, just wanted to see how clean I could get the water with the Purigen so I didn't have to empty the tank]. I officially have given up again and am using driftwood as outside-the-aquarium decor. I did do a 100% water change on that tank. I don't know if there is something important I haven't learned yet but after boiling wood for that long and still having brown water, I'm jaded on hearing that boiling changes it. I used a covered large roast-pan on my stovetop, 10 days 24/7 like I said. One of the things you never think you'll say in your life is that you've got experience boiling wood but I'd be happy to do it again if it worked 😁😁
Wish I knew ahead of time that wood can turn your aquarium water brown, I purchased a spider wood and all it did was make my aquarium water brown, I had to change the water so many times, now it's just a little brown but my water is still not clear.
Well, the tannins wont hurt anything you have in your tank, if nought else they help with nutrients... There are more pathogens upon the surface of your fish, than on or within any wood you choose to use... Maybe stay away from Pinewood and other Heavy Scented Sap trees... But, yeah. Grab your wood and pop it in your tank.... Most LFS stock the "Industry Standard" wood's like Spiderwood, Bogwood, or Mopani (unsure how you spell it) types. And while they are tried and tested, they do indeed have plenty of tannins within. Don't worry, you can reduce the colouring with weekly water changes until it has dissipated (Though it may take time). And the tannins do no harm at all... The thing is... And it is just this... There are many conflicting info's online regarding Wood, Rocks and Substrate types... And this goes for many YTber's and their set ups with their water types and where they live within the world... Like, I'm in the UK (North) where my unheated tank gets no lower than 16C in winter and no higher than 20C in summer... And I keep Red/Blue Columbian Tetra's who on many TY Care Vids "Preferable temperatures" are around 24-27C... Mine have done very well in the lower temps... What gives? I tell you what... Too many conflicting info vids on YT, that is what. Too many "personal" experiences that do not fit with your Global Local... And the same applies to your Wood and Rock Vids too!
The driftwood I just treated is being put into a new tank and I fully expect it to change the water color. I am working with some products that may help reduce the color. Will share a video about it in the future if it works.
Thanks for the video. I never knew you could bake it, that was new to me.
welcome.
I’m subscriber #137 woohoo!! 🎉
In my past experience if you soak it in warm water in a large container for 2 hours then just empty the water fill it again leave it again empty again then refill the container and leave it for 48 hours cleans it well but all tannins will never be completely leach out, but you'll get most of it.
I agree. I have heard that purigen can help with tannins. Have not tried it myself but may do so on my next tank to be setup.
Ive always been wary about bleach too. Instead of pouring peroxide, ive dumped a bottle into a bucket of water and just soaked it for a few days. It has time to work, and no worries about embedded peroxide getting into the water column. (To be safe, i also try to let the tank cycle for a while before adding fish)
Edit: a pressure washer is good for initial cleanup too.
Great tips!
Helpful video!
Thanks!
Is there a way to sanitize large pieces of driftwood? I collected some pretty pieces from a local beach and I’m hoping I can sanitize and use them in a freshwater tank, I’ve had them soaking out in a pond for about 6 months.
That's one way, soak in a pond or some sort of large container. Garbage can or some large tote. You could always cut it and sanitize the smaller pieces. It could be put back together (glue or silicone) depending on wood. Some softer wood might not hold up to cutting.
If the wood is not going into a tank with living animals, i.e. the fish and other animals will be added later, let it soak in the tank itself for some time before added in fish.
Mixture of calium, soak it and it will be good to go.
I am not familiar with calium. Have you tried it before? Any adverse affects?
I once boiled wood for 10 days straight, 24/7 - I gave up at that point, still getting dark brown water. Yes, changed water every day to help. At that point decided it was OUTSIDE THE AQUARIUM decor... I tried recently again [after 27 years] to use driftwood in a tank - driftwood I'd found myself so wondered if North American driftwood might not have the tannins-level the darker imported stuff has? It did. Is it just part of the decomposition process and is obliged to keep happening?
Now that I'd learned about Seachem Purigen, I thought that might be my magic-ticket to having driftwood in my tanks but it didn't completely clean the water after many days [I had taken the driftwood out at that point, just wanted to see how clean I could get the water with the Purigen so I didn't have to empty the tank]. I officially have given up again and am using driftwood as outside-the-aquarium decor. I did do a 100% water change on that tank.
I don't know if there is something important I haven't learned yet but after boiling wood for that long and still having brown water, I'm jaded on hearing that boiling changes it. I used a covered large roast-pan on my stovetop, 10 days 24/7 like I said. One of the things you never think you'll say in your life is that you've got experience boiling wood but I'd be happy to do it again if it worked 😁😁
Sometimes it may just be the wood. Maybe try from a different source.
Thank you! I appreciate that, gives me hope 🙂@@totheaquarium
@@debraking2516 Welcome.
Wish I knew ahead of time that wood can turn your aquarium water brown, I purchased a spider wood and all it did was make my aquarium water brown, I had to change the water so many times, now it's just a little brown but my water is still not clear.
Well, the tannins wont hurt anything you have in your tank, if nought else they help with nutrients...
There are more pathogens upon the surface of your fish, than on or within any wood you choose to use... Maybe stay away from Pinewood and other Heavy Scented Sap trees... But, yeah. Grab your wood and pop it in your tank....
Most LFS stock the "Industry Standard" wood's like Spiderwood, Bogwood, or Mopani (unsure how you spell it) types. And while they are tried and tested, they do indeed have plenty of tannins within. Don't worry, you can reduce the colouring with weekly water changes until it has dissipated (Though it may take time). And the tannins do no harm at all...
The thing is... And it is just this... There are many conflicting info's online regarding Wood, Rocks and Substrate types... And this goes for many YTber's and their set ups with their water types and where they live within the world...
Like, I'm in the UK (North) where my unheated tank gets no lower than 16C in winter and no higher than 20C in summer... And I keep Red/Blue Columbian Tetra's who on many TY Care Vids "Preferable temperatures" are around 24-27C... Mine have done very well in the lower temps... What gives? I tell you what... Too many conflicting info vids on YT, that is what. Too many "personal" experiences that do not fit with your Global Local... And the same applies to your Wood and Rock Vids too!
The driftwood I just treated is being put into a new tank and I fully expect it to change the water color. I am working with some products that may help reduce the color. Will share a video about it in the future if it works.
@@totheaquarium
Activated carbon in your filter will reduce the tannins, but doing weekly water changes will do so also. It might take a bit longer...
@@andrewdefty6044 I will be trying carbon. Thanks
@@totheaquariumuse Purgien for your fish filter, it will suck up the coloration and your tank will be super clear