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	How long to soak Malaysian driftwood
X-Treme Small Fry Posts: 14 Kudos: 16 Votes: 1 Registered: 16-Feb-2005	I recently (about a month ago) purchased a couple larger peices of Malaysian driftwood for my 110 gallon planted tank. My question is: How long do I have to soak it for? I have been soaking since I got it and if left 24 hours, the water seems "fairly" clear. If left 48 - 72 hours, the water is still "a bit" murky? Is there a general rule of thumb on this issue?? Last edited by X-Treme at 01-Aug-2005 21:08 Last edited by X-Treme at 01-Aug-2005 21:23
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	X-Treme There is no general rule reason being different timbers release more tannins than others. Take it out give it a hard scrub using a clean hard brush. Hose it off then re-soak it again in clean water. You might have to do this several times. Even when you place the DW into the tank some woods still continue to leach out the tannins where as some do not release at all. Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
trystianity Mega Fish Posts: 1028 Kudos: 926 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Mar-2004	I just soak it till it sinks. It will release some tannin but aslong as your fish don't mind softer water they will like it. And as long as you maintain the tank regularly and do water changes the tannin shouldn't be too big of an issue. I personally like a slightly tannin-y look in my own tanks. If you don't mind, toss it in. Unless you soak it for months there is a good chance it will leech some tannin, but like I said above as long as you keep up on water changes it's not a big deal.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
jasonpisani Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 5553 Kudos: 7215 Votes: 1024 Registered: 24-Feb-2003	Give it a good brushing & leave it to soak in water. Put a stone on it, so it will stay submerged. Leave it till it sinks & it might take weeks or months. Change the water regularly & add hot water, so it will open the wood pores & absorbes water faster. http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buzaqq/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/ Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970. http://www.maltaaquarist.com
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
trystianity Mega Fish Posts: 1028 Kudos: 926 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Mar-2004	Did you get the Malaysian Driftwood from Big Al's?? If you did I have the same stuff. :%) They usually have boxes of it there. if that's the case I don't soak it very long at all, like I said just until it sinks, not nearly weeks or months, maybe a few days at most.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
X-Treme Small Fry Posts: 14 Kudos: 16 Votes: 1 Registered: 16-Feb-2005	I DID in fact get it from big al's. It doesn't seem to leetch (sp) very much now anyway. I'll probably toss it in fairly soon then. Thanks for the replys.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
trystianity Mega Fish Posts: 1028 Kudos: 926 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Mar-2004	Cool. They have good prices on driftwood there. I haven't had any problems with any of the wood I've bought there, don't worry too much about the tannin, it's not going to turn your water black unless you NEVER do water changes. As long as it is sinking, you can stick it in the tank. Actually on tanks where I am going for a soft blackwater look and effect, I will even just rinse it, tie it to a rock and put it in.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26


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