Can i use this driftwood?

okay so I found an awesome piece of driftwood at the beach can I use it in my angel tank? I have heard they like the tannin but I'm not sure if I will like it....if I boil it will it go away? how do I make it safe for my tank? also if I add it and it still has tannin if I do water changes will it go away? does wood ever run out of tannin? like will the water always be that color if I don't boil it out? sorry I have so many questions

 

If you boil it for several hours, then soak it in water for a few days, most of the tannins will come out of it. If it does release some in the tank, you can add some carbon to the filter and they will go away.

 

ohh alright thank you :] how do I know if this wood is safe to use tho? will it rot?

 

Could you post a picture of it?

 

just give me a sec

 

here it is!

 

That's a very nice piece! I don't think you will have any problems putting it in the tank.

 

Great! ;D thanks so much!

 

No problem!

 

You'd have to check if it's a hardwood or a softwood first, you don't want it to rot in your tank. Stick your thumb's nail in the wood and if it goes in softly you have a softwood, if it hardly goes in you have a hard wood. Soft woods will rot faster in water and sometimes soft woods like pine ( and other aromatic woods ) will release these aromatic substances into the water which can be fatal to fish, so you'd better smell the wood good after sticking your nail in. Better safe then sorry, you know!

 

You need to remove any bark off the piece, the bark will rot.

Very nice piece. You can use some softwoods, especially thicker pieces, yes they rot quicker, but it still takes quite a while

 

haha I think my nail will break before I can make a mark in it so I guess its hard wood! I'm going to boil it and soak it to get the bark off and get rid of any bad stuff and it smells like....the ocean lol a bit salty

 

haha I think my nail will break before I can make a mark in it so I guess its hard wood! I'm going to boil it and soak it to get the bark off and get rid of any bad stuff and it smells like....the ocean lol a bit salty

Then you're safe to go !
Ahh I envy you, that's actually quite a nice piece > Lol congrats

 

I know ^ . IT is an awesome piece!

 

well I went to Florida and found it on the beach so I couldnt help myself! honestly just search when u go to the beach I would never spend 50 for a piece of wood