Fullofit343

So i recently bought a very LARGE log of driftwood for my 55 gallon that is currently cycling. i put it in the tank and after two days sure enough the tannin from the drift wood turned my water yellow. At first it was a very dark yellow but then upon finding out that drift wood can't be used for a cichlid tank precisely because of the tannin i took it out. the water got a little less yellow but a slight tint is still there and has been for days. i read it can take months for the tint to go away with 25% daily water changes. is there any other way? 25% daily water changes for a 55 gal tank to get rid of something that won't even effect my fish when i get them (especially when i don't even get to use the driftwood after all of that) is a lot of work.

lew2000

activated carbon in a filter will speed up this process. I would continue with the water changes. As to the carbon, since it picks up organics quickly. I would recomend a small amount of carbon (1 or 2 cups) and change every day or two than a large amount and guessing when to change.

Shawnie

I like the tannis look in my cichlid tank

agabr123

lol yeah i like the tannins look too, i think it looks natural and nice.

also did you boil the driftwood or pour boiling water over it? driftwood can contain lots of bad bacteria and other nasty things and boiling it will remove all that and probably help with the tannins too.

Angela_96

The thing about the tannins is its great for sa and ca cichilds. He is going to get malawi mbuna. The tannins will lower the pH, and is not good for a malawi tank.
Do you have another tank to put it in?

CHoffman

I'd agree with Angela, Malawi's love high ph....I love driftwood and the way it looks but it does lower ph..If you have another tank put it in there..most fish can tolerate a large range of Ph..The tannis won't hurt anything and does give it a nice look and is perfect for fish who like lower ph.

Angela_96

Yea, the driftwood in a tank is beautiful! I wish that my malawis loved it. When I do my west african tank I am hoping for lower ph loving fish so I can do a tank w/ wood.

Fullofit343

my issue exactly. the malawi cichlids like the higher pH and i didn't figure out about the tannis lowering it until after i bought it. i don't have any other tank to put it in. i'm hoping the LFS will take it back (if not there goes 60 bucks down the drain!)

Fullofit343

steveangela i know this isn't really the place but what cichlids specifically do you have in your 55?

Angela_96

I have a group of kenyi breeders, a large male yellow lab, several smaller labs, a pink zebra (the not mixing met groups is an issue w/ that btw I am moving it to my other tank. A group of psuedo flavus breeders. I am going to get a new afra group possibly for this tank.

In my 58g I have a blue fin tropheops, red zebras, polit group, afra group.

When I start my west african tank (which can tolerate lower ph) I will be getting a group of congo cichilds, and possibly some kribs

Angela_96

I hate that thought! The driftwood is very expensive, have you thought of getting different cichilds that can tolerate the lower ph? There are a ton of west african species that can, and ca and sa cichilds.

CHoffman

No doubt..Driftwood is sooo high. How big of a piece is it. It might be worth it to sell it online like aquabid if the shipping wouldn't be outrageous..I can't imagine the LFS would give you anything for it. But if they will that's a good route to take.

Angela_96

You could also try craigslist. I go on there all the time trying to catch deals on tanks, equipment. (off topic,now looking for some baby stuff, there is a "bassinet" I want so bad but I am not paying 180 dollars for it at the store new)

CHoffman

Good idea..Craigslist would be a great place to sell it. Why didn't I think of that.....Off topic...Too bad we don't live closer, I have a TON of baby stuff...A whole basement full of stuff I'm not using. Cribs, bassinets, bouncers, baby papasan , everything you could think off..and it's all in excellent shape..lol.

Angela_96

I am going to start an Angela's pregnancy thread under my blog...

Fullofit343

Haha well congrats on that baby. yeah i could post it on craigslist. you know i did staret thinking about the cichlids that could tolerate the lower ph but i already mixed in the bag of cichlids shells to raise the ph and it would be impossible to pick them out. all together ALL of my substrate was like 50 bucks including the shells. don't plan on throwing it out

CHoffman

No I don't blame you, I hate wasting money.....I hope your driftwood sells fast. Too bad I dont' live closer I'd buy it.

Angela_96

Thanks... I didn't want to hijack the thread anymore. I hope you can sell the driftwood...

bryan87

i wonder if you added more shells and rock if you could keep the driftwood? to offset the ph.