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hi all
can anyone tell how long to soak bogwood for i hear so many stories please help

It all depends on the piece of bogwood. You soak it for three reasons

1). to release tannins.

2). to get it to sink.

3). to kill any nasties.

It will depend on the piece of wood and your own preferences how long you soak it for. Boiling it for half an hour or baking it carefully (150F) in the oven should take care of killing anything that will cause harm to the tank. Soaking it to get it to sink will depend how large a piece it is (you can also just wedge it or weigh it down in the tank). Depending on your taste in water color releasing the tannins is optional. The tannic acids will lower your Ph as well as color it a slight tea color. Letting the wood soak prior to placing it in the tank in warm water (changing the water as it turns yellow or brown) will remove the tannins. Again it depends on the piece of wood.
HTH a bit .

^_^
*Proud member of the Committee for Sig Line Restoration*
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I have recently put a piece of wood into my tank and noticed it has turned the water a nice tea color. Are tannins harmful to the fish at all?

Tannins and tannic acid are not harmful to fish, but you want to make sure it doesn't lower the pH too much.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.