meezike

Bought some mopani wood from Petco. Soaked it for about 2 weeks to get most tannis out. It's been in my tank for about 4 days and is growing white moldy fungus stuff. Been reading as much as possible, some people saying its dangerous and take it out, others saying don't worry, not dangerous to fish, and it'll go away. Anyone have any experience with this? My tank is cycled and in otherwise good shape. Thanks.

lew2000

Mopane wood is from the lower central area of Africa and is actualy very oily - this provides resistance to termites and rot. The white tufts are the oils leaching out - this process can last 4-6 weeks. It actually grows in hot dry areas - it decomposes slower than driftwood. The oils are non-toxic but probably not pleaseant for fish - as for plecos??

mitch

you might try boiling the wood. That should kill anything on the wood and get more of the tannies out.

goggles2

i had the same problem with mine boiling it cleared it right up for me


boil it

lew2000

i use a steamer and spray down the wood - the kind you see advertized on tv instead of boiling - quicker and less messy.

Barbrella

It's definitely not harmful to fish. Just fungus feeding off the wood.

If the look of it bothers you, you can just scrape it off. Bristlenose plecos love to eat the stuff.

COBettaCouple

Our piece of mopani wood in the angels tank did that white fungus too, but it didn't last that long, maybe a few weeks.