Quick Plant Question

[gregswimm]

Hey again guys,

So I just received my 2 small pieces of Mopani and Malaysian driftwood from Drs Foster and Smith online. It says on the tags to boil the pieces of wood, but I remember reading on here a few days ago that boiling makes things worse, so you should just soak the wood instead? Should I boil it like the directions say, or should I just soak it in warm water?

And just a side question, the nitrite in my tank is very high right now (I expect it's just about at the peak of nitrite in terms of the cycle), should I wait on getting the plants until the nitrite levels drop off, or is it fine to add them in soon?

Thanks

You don't have to soak them, thats only if you don't want the tannins leaching into you water. tannic acid (wood acid) is natural and wont harm the fish or plants (it may even be good for them depending on what plants and fish you have) it will also turn the water tea color, i personally love the tinge to the water.


edit: i recommend you remove that air pump as it will gas out the CO2 (you can run it at night because the plants use O2 at night)

 

[Eleven13]

Hey again guys,

So I just received my 2 small pieces of Mopani and Malaysian driftwood from Drs Foster and Smith online. It says on the tags to boil the pieces of wood, but I remember reading on here a few days ago that boiling makes things worse, so you should just soak the wood instead? Should I boil it like the directions say, or should I just soak it in warm water?

And just a side question, the nitrite in my tank is very high right now (I expect it's just about at the peak of nitrite in terms of the cycle), should I wait on getting the plants until the nitrite levels drop off, or is it fine to add them in soon?

Thanks

You don't have to soak them, thats only if you don't want the tannins leaching into you water. tannic acid (wood acid) is natural and wont harm the fish or plants (it may even be good for them depending on what plants and fish you have) it will also turn the water tea color, i personally love the tinge to the water.


edit: i recommend you remove that air pump as it will gas out the CO2 (you can run it at night because the plants use O2 at night)

I was thinking of that, or possibly getting a defuser type deal so the air stone didn't break the surface tension as much, although I suppose that defeats the purpose of the airstone.

I want to put my betta in the tank eventually once the water chemistry improves, so I think this airstone idea would be good for him as well so he can have a calmer water surface to build bubble nests on.

Do you think that getting rid of the airstone will cause my fish any harm though? Or does having a 'hob' filter break the surface tension enough as it is?

 

[Eleven13]

Do you guys think it would be better if I bought a light that is in the 6500-6700K range at 15 watts, as opposed to the light I have now which is about 5,000K and also 15 watts?