Dark_Rider2k3

Okay so I have 2 simple ?'s:

1. I was told that I can boil the driftwood and it will take 2 hours while boiling to remove the tannins. Is this true? Also, if I do this, do I change the water while boiling? Or how does it work? I'm also curious of this for "soaking". I have it soaking right now, but the water gets a real murky yellow, and am wondering if I should keep changing the water (I have been changing it right now).

2. What's the best way to attach Java moss to the driftwood?

platy ben

Keep changing the water until it stops going a really murky yellow.

And about attaching java moss to driftwood, i can't help you out here im afraid

Alasse

With Java moss...use sewing cotton, it will eventually rot away on its own and just leave the plant attached

capekate

Depending on the driftwood, it can take up to a week or so to get all the tannins out. What I did, was just keep soaking the piece in a bucket and changed the water constantly til it was clear. I also boiled it for a short time as well.
You can use the cotton thread, but you should use a thread that is not colored, as we just do not know what toxins can be in the colored thread..
I used a green thread to tie off my java moss, and after doing it, wondered if it was the best choice. But so far, so good and no problems. I just think that an untinted thread would most likely be a better choice.
Dont forget to have some heavy rocks handy to hold down the driftwood after you add it to the tank, a lot of the driftwood will need to be anchored with something heavy til they stay down by themselves.

Allie

We are using fishing line to attach plants to things.

tkfury

I used cotton threat but I could always see it and it would start breaking up before the moss was attached so I've been using fishing line. So far its much easier to use, can hardly see it and I'm free to cut it away whenever I want.

Ghostfish

I have heard of several ways on the java moss. I've not had the best luck with it myself. One method I have heard of is to stuff some into a hole in the driftwood. You can drill a hole if necessary. Another method I have heard is to attach it to a piece of mesh and attach the mesh to the driftwood. Good luck with it. It gave me fits. I kept having to pull it out of my filter. It looks awesome if you can get it going.

Dark_Rider2k3

Yeah I have some and it's a pain lol.

I am going to have to look up using fishing line.. I have a lot of it, but I don't really have any sewing skills lol

tkfury

Sewing as nothing to do with it - tie the string to the wood then just wrap it around and tie another knot. I like to do a few knots here and there to make sure its tight enough and wont come lose on me before I tie the final knot. Probably doesn't matter but I've found its much easier using double-overhand knots.

Steve113

Find a crack and wedge it in. That's what I did. Works perfectly, and you don't need to worry about threads and knots.


Also, re the driftwood - depending on what type it is you'll have to soak it for a while. Some wood you buy is very dusty so make sure all that is off. soak until the water is a bit clearer and doesn't instantly go darker. Leave it overnight a couple of days if you can. I never boiled mine and left for 2 days.

If you get fed up though, remember that the tannins in the wood will not harm your fish or plants. It's all natural and in some cases, some fish and plants can thrive with slightly coloured water from the wood.

If you're really lazy, do what I do and buy the drift wood from the lfs display tanks. they usually sell it to me cheaper, and often you get freebies like java moss, eggs etc... and once, I had a cheecky stow away fish that attached it'sself to the bottom. (plus if it's for a new tank, It'll have established bacteria for you)

Dark_Rider2k3

they actually had some at my LFS, though it was small pieces that were not wroth me getting.. though I will get them eventually to give my tank even more of a "natural" feel.

I am going to check on the wood in a sec.. see how it is lol.. I doubt the tannins are gone, but I noticed last night it took a while for the water to become darker