bOG woOd

[arj]

Is it a good idea to get real wood in the tank rather than having the fake stuff? At the moment I've got 4 live plants and some fake ornaments, like a little log and a big vase thing.

Also, I was thnking of varying the diet, right now I'm doing flakes and pellets, alternating daily. I miss out one day twice a week. (They all seem to be fine, one guppy died when the tank was still fairly new, a platy died soon after we got it and another guppy died today, for which I haven't really been able to find out why.)
What would you recommend adding to their diet?

 

[fufanu360]

some times real wood can leach tannins into the water....

as for the diet, i would say you could give them some live blood worms or some freeze dried tubifex worms

 

[arj]

Ok. What are tannins?

 

[Alurny]

im guessing some harmful pollutant

 

[RYO]

when you soak bog wood the tea colour that is leached into the water is called tannin. It is slightly acidic but wilnot harm your fish (some people strive to keep the tannins in the water as it gives a natural look) Some fish actualy seem to do better with some tannin in the water (tetras)
As for diet a good mix is best - bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, pellets, algae waffers, cucumber.

 

[fufanu360]

acually its comepletely harmless, just kind of unsightly brown color to the water...

can look somewhat natural

 

[arj]

Cool, I personally don't really want a brown tint to the water, but then I haven't seen it before. I might go to the shop and see if they've got any tanks set up with this tannin business in it.

 

[fufanu360]

you dont FOR SURE get the tannin, unless you dont soak or boil... i soaked a peice of wood for 6 months, put it in the tank and the water was brown over nite, so i took the wood and threw it in the garbage, i wouldnt even think it safe for an aquarium the way it was loosing peices off of it

 

[sylvia]

It's harmless but it does cause pH fluctuations and those are NOT harmless. I'd stick to fake wood if it looks realistic and you have no real reason for real wood (some plecs or plants that need anchoring to wood etc).
I'm concerned about your feeding though. Unless your algae eater is something omnivorous or you have lots of algae, you aren't realy feeding it and sooner or later it will starve. Your other fish would be ok on flake/pellets though. Supplementing the diet with fresh blanched vegetables such as cucumber or zuchinni, the occasional shelled pea, algae wafers, live and frozen foods such as blood worms, daphnia and brine shrimp and some varieties of freeze-dried foods will help keep your fish healthiest and most active and colorful.

 

[freddyk]

Real wood has a benificial effect on the water, and tanins are certainly nothing to worry about. Pleco's and Oto's need wood as part of their diet. Besides this, when it comes to wood and rock, only real really looks real.

 

[Yenko]

Tannins acidify the water, but storebought bogwood usually doesn't have exessive amounts. Most tropical fish come from slightly acid environments anyway. Putting a slightly bluish flourescent tube in your tank will also change the lighting bit, which makes moderate levels of tannins hard to see. The water turns yellowish at first, and even having plants can do it.

Edit: FreddyK is right; there is no realistic fake stone or wood avaliable. Besides, real stone is free, and if you're lucky, real wood can be free, too.

 

[Griz]

I love the look of tannin in the water. I don't understand why so many people seem to find it objectionable.

 

[Sorrell]

Real wood has a benificial effect on the water, and tanins are certainly nothing to worry about. Pleco's and Oto's need wood as part of their diet. Besides this, when it comes to wood and rock, only real really looks real.

Exactly, if you have a pleco you definately need to get some bog wood for him to munch on, wood is actually their main diet

 

[Phantom Thief]

I've never had any tannin problems with driftwood, and i've never boiled or soaked them, i only rinse and brush them to get the dirt and dust off it.

Also, tannin, bar exceptional cases, hardly causes any change in pH.

P.T.

edit: btw, otos don't eat wood

 

[arj]

Wow, lots of info. Thanks also about the feeding advice.