Quick question about prepping Malaysian Driftwood

Hey guys -

I've read a few threads on here (including the sticky at the top), but just need some clarification... Yesterday I picked up a good sized chunk of Malaysian driftwood from the LFS for my 75 gallon tank. Some things I've read say to soak it for a week, some say two hours, some say boil it, some say that Malaysian driftwood doesn't leak a ton of tannis, so just rinse it off and toss it in the tank. So... which is it? The wood was bought dry, they didn't have it soaking at the store - just a huge bin of it to pick and choose from. How should I go about prepping this thing? Thanks!

 

FOr all the driftwood I've ever bought I just let is soak in a bucket for 2 to 10 days depending on how dark the water is on each day. If it clears up quickly I'll put it in quick and if not I'll soak it for a while. I'm not sure about types of driftwoods but that's what I've always done.

 

+1 on what daac said.

 

Good morning,

The Malaysian Driftwood will leach tannins. If you do not mind the tannins in your water (which I think are beneficial and adds to the more natural look) then simply rinse the wood and place it in the tank.

I've never soaked or boiled any of my driftwoods. I also think that the tannins are good for plant life should you have live plants. (JMO)

Ken

 

I just added several pieces to my tank of that same driftwood. I let it soak in hot water for 2 to 3 days and all the tannins leached out by then. I was changing the water every time it cooled down.

 

Yeah I agree, it will really be a preference on your part. if you like the darker water color just throw it in, otherwise soak it until the water clears up. ( you have to continue to change the water that your soaking it in)

 

What you can also do is put it in your tank and change the water out as it turns brown. Eventually it will stop leaching tannins but just don't end up doing water changes like every day or more because this can stress fish. One thing to consider is that as Ken said it is not harmful to fish or plants in a ny way and may actually help the fish to feel more at home. It is a natural thing that would be found in most fish's environments so unless you don't like how it looks I don't think there is any reason you should soak or boil the wood.

 

I too have malaysian driftwood in my tank. I boiled mine two hours and then let it soak in room temperature water for 24 hours, boiled again for another two hours and then let soak again (24h) and then put it in my tank. Whenever I siphon I tend see some small wood chunks but other than that no tannins or any problems. Good luck with the driftwood it really adds beauty to a tank