Bog wood ??

[strangefish]

Hi everyone

I'm setting up a 260ltr Jewel Vison tank at the moment. This is the first tank I've started where I'm going to use a significant quantity of bog wood as tank decoration.

I've had the wood soaking in water for a week or so, and have changed the tanin-stained water once.

My questions are:

How long should I soak the wood for ?? Time based, or until there is little or no tanin staining ??

Should I/Can I accept a certain level of tanin in the tank ?? If so how much is ok ?? I appreciate some South American fish live in water with tanin in, but how do I tell if there is too much ??

I guess the only way to control the tanin in the tank is with water changes ??

Any feedback appreciated folks.

Thanks.

Phil.

 

[gixer]

tanin wont hurt fish in the slightest. its totally safe. the only reason people like to soak it is to stop the water looking brown.

i usually soak over night and that all.

 

[Fiori]

I usually soak it for a week or two if I can - you will still get tannin leakage after that time anyway. I think it adds a nice colour to the water and it can really bring out the colour of certain fish.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

the best way to get it out is literally to boil the wood, if you can find a continor big enouhg of course, the tannins come out really quickly in hotter water! and again just boil/soak it till there is none coming out if you don't want the brown stain to the water

 

[CFC]

I never even soak my bogwood, a quick rinse under the tap to get any dust and loose bits off, pat it dry with a bit of kitchen roll to get the chlorinated water off and into the tank it goes.

 

[newland]

I put mine in the system part of a toilet for a couple of weeks and then rinsed it afterwards. Didn't stain the tank water at all.

Regular flushing of the loo kept fresh water rolling over it so i know when it was done.

 

[Bloo]

I put mine in the system part of a toilet for a couple of weeks and then rinsed it afterwards. Didn't stain the tank water at all.

Regular flushing of the loo kept fresh water rolling over it so i know when it was done.

 

[Nik_boyd]

I think soak time partly depends on the kind of wood. I *think* its mopani wood that I get from my LFS, and its just gets thoroughly rinsed with boiling water, then in cold water, and then stuck in the tank. I think the water went slightly yellowy for a week or two, but not so that it was really noticable.

Also, just something I think looks good, try get some Anubias barteri var. nana to stick on the bogwood, IMO just makes it look a bit more colourful and natural

 

[Bloo]

I've bought Mopani Wood from a number of LFS's and I just always soak it for a couple of weeks first - even boil it if I have a pot large enough. It gets rid of most of the tannins. Not that I mind slightly (naturally) brown water so much, but I would prefer to see my fish nice and clearly and enjoy the vivid colours

 

[strangefish]

Thanks for the advice guys.

The tank is now up to temp, I'll be adding plants and the bog wood, and starting a "fishless cycle" over the weekend.

Any further comments welcome. It's all good !!

Phil.

 

[gadazobe]

I use mopani wood and do more or less what CFC does, quick rinse down with hot water, cold shower to cool it off and into the tank. I have 2 large pieces in one of the tanks and the only place big enough to wash them was the bath !!!

 

[CFC]

Just a side note but for those of you who use mopani wood i just thought that it should be known that mopani is of no benefit to species which require wood in their diet such as Panaque's (Royal plecs) and some other wood eating plecs. The lignum that is essential for their digestion is only present in the first couple of millimeters below the bark but since mopani is sandblasted to make it suitable for aquarium use the lignum is all removed.