Bogwood??

[nene]

I have seen several posts that mention bogwood. Is this the same as driftwod or is it something different? If different, does it have any advantages over driftwood? Thanks in advance!

 

[Kossy]

Well bogwood makes the water soft and more acidic!!!

 

[smb]

According to Dictionary.com-

Bogwood- Wood that has been preserved in a peat bog.

Driftwood-Wood floating in or washed up by a body of water.

 

[platypus]

I recently added some bogwood to my tank and all my fish went crazy for it, it looks absolutely beautiful and it gives them loads of caves and hiding places . In fact, last weekend I went out and bought ANOTHER piece of bogwood to replace another rock I have because the rock isn't as useful or as pretty!

You should be able to pick some up from any LFS - in fact a lot of them stock something called 'mopani' wood which I think is basically just the same thing except treated to prevent it colouring the water. This is because bogwood contains a lot of tannins - the same things you get in tea and coffee and red wine that make your teeth go brown! - so if you do get some, it's good to soak it in water for a few days before you add it into your tank to prevent discolouration. Although even if it does colour the water, it won't last long, especially if you have new carbon in your filter as this will remove the tannins.

 

[Alien Anna]

I know what it says on the Mopani wood label but in my experience, it stains just as badly and the brown is not fading. I'm hoping it will eventually because my fish look like they're swimming in tea!

I should have boiled it for a few minutes before adding it to the tank, but you live and learn.

 

[platypus]

AA - yes I have found the same actually - my new bit of wood is actually mopani, I thought I'd soak it for a bit just as a precaution and the water went tea-coloured in about 2 mins! I have changed the water it's soaking in twice and it's still leaking like crazy! It is so beautiful though, all stripey, I cannot wait to see it in the tank.

 

[Death Penguin]

I agree with AA on the tanning of water issue. My Mopani Bogwoog stained the tank more than another cheaper piece I have.

When soaking, I presume it would have to be in tank water? if not what happens to the chlorine.

I, in my infinite ignorance just dropped it straight in the tank.

 

[platypus]

I use tap water with my usual anti chlorine/chloramine treatment that I use in water changes added to it. Not sure if this is necessary as there isn't that much water on the bogwood when I transfer it into the tank, but thought it was best to be safe.

 

[Eelzor]

my friend has this thing with bogwood. everytime he touches it, he gets bad luck. pretty funni actually. like today, he got badly scatched from it, the day after that, the bogwood pile fell on his arm. lol, really a wierd sight. oh yes and i was talking about boggy woody with some others here.

 

[nene]

Thanks for the responses. I have never seen bogwood for sale here in the States. I guess we don't have an Bogs. I love driftwood though. I am going to search the internet to see if anyone offers bogwood. I would like to try it.