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  L# removing tannins from driftwood?
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Subscriberemoving tannins from driftwood?
devon7
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Big Fish
Posts: 475
Kudos: 356
Votes: 4
Registered: 31-Aug-2004
female usa
what is the most effective way to remove tannins from driftwood?
Post InfoPosted 17-Oct-2009 05:20Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
Delenn
Hobbyist
Posts: 139
Kudos: 63
Votes: 10
Registered: 07-Sep-2009
female usa
http://fishprofiles.com/forums/Aquascaping/How_Do_I_Make_Driftwood_Safe_/37849/
Post InfoPosted 17-Oct-2009 05:27Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
keithgh
 
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*Ultimate Fish Guru*
Posts: 6371
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Registered: 26-Apr-2003
male australia au-victoria
Devon do you mean how to remove the tannin from the tank water?

Tannins are a natural happening in some soft timbers as the outer surface breaks down it releases a natural brownish colour.

If will not go away after you have soaked it for several weeks scrubbed and cleaned it (NOT BOILED IT) there is a chance it never will.
All boiling does is break down the outer surface faster
What usually happens the timer will break down fast to start off with. This is why you see it then it slows down and it is not noticed much at all.

If it will not stop no matter what you do, you just have to take it out.
Some harder timbers never release tannins at all.

Keith

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Post InfoPosted 17-Oct-2009 06:19Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
devon7
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Big Fish
Posts: 475
Kudos: 356
Votes: 4
Registered: 31-Aug-2004
female usa
mmkay, I decided to soak it a clear plastic container so I can see just how brown the water is going to get. I purchased the piece I have from the ol' LFS, so it probably wont be so bad... I think I kind of like that natural look anyway.
Post InfoPosted 17-Oct-2009 08:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
brandeeno
 
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Mega Fish
Posts: 929
Kudos: 636
Registered: 13-Sep-2007
male usa us-california
All of my driftwood came from an LFS and I boiled it to kill nasties and to leech out some of the tannins.

Boiling does begin the decomposing process faster, but my DW was hard mopani wood so I wasn't too concerned. Driftwood leeches alot at first because the water is absorbed into the cells and sent back out carrying the tannic acids. This slows as the driftwood forms a layer (similar to a pudding skin in function) that keeps the water from reacting with the wood and drawing out as much tannins.

if the color bothers you just add some more carbon to your filter and do wqter changes more regularly.

Driftwood is an amazing addition to all tanks and I hope your new piece pleases your fish and your eye!
-Brandon

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"
Post InfoPosted 25-Oct-2009 10:14Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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