Tannins In Grape Driftwood

HI Fishlore folks I bought a nice piece of grape driftwood from PetSmart. I doused it in super hot water then stuck half of it into some clean water to try to get some tannins. Lo and behold, the water turned yellow. I was wondering if I could put the water in my betta tank, and if top offs would harm my bettas (the tannin water is cold)? TIA

 

Do the top offs slowly as to not swing the temperature too much and you should be fine. Bettas are more of a Blackwater fish than a Clearwater fish so I would say it wouldn't hurt, but watch for PH swings

 

Do the top offs slowly as to not swing the temperature too much and you should be fine. Bettas are more of a Blackwater fish than a Clearwater fish so I would say it wouldn't hurt, but watch for PH swings

Ha seeing you a lot lately

Thanks a ton!!! Will do

 

Only issue is that grapewood is a softwood and may break down quickly. Woods such as oak, mopani, and manzanita last for many years before decomposing, where woods such as cholla or grapewood might last a year or two, even less with plecos or shrimp who eat the decaying wood matter.

However, tannins are beneficial to bettas and they enjoy the environment. As long as the wood isn't spongy and rotten it's probably safe to keep in the tank.

 

Only issue is that grapewood is a softwood and may break down quickly. Woods such as oak, mopani, and manzanita last for many years before decomposing, where woods such as cholla or grapewood might last a year or two, even less with plecos or shrimp who eat the decaying wood matter.

However, tannins are beneficial to bettas and they enjoy the environment. As long as the wood isn't spongy and rotten it's probably safe to keep in the tank.

Thank you! It was only $12 so I don’t mind replacing it

I love the tannins, actually getting some IAL for just that.

 

Thank you! It was only $12 so I don’t mind replacing it

I love the tannins, actually getting some IAL for just that.

If you ever want to replace it, look at some manzanita or spiderwood. They have a somewhat similar look and won't release as many tannins as denser hardwoods.

I had a 5 gallon betta tank several years ago that I would brew decaf tea to use as a blackwater extract. At work I have a very dark 55 gallon blackwater tank with mopani, malaysian bogwood, and magnolia leaves for leaf litter.

 

If you ever want to replace it, look at some manzanita or spiderwood. They have a somewhat similar look and won't release as many tannins as denser hardwoods.

I had a 5 gallon betta tank several years ago that I would brew decaf tea to use as a blackwater extract. At work I have a very dark 55 gallon blackwater tank with mopani, malaysian bogwood, and magnolia leaves for leaf litter.

I love blackwater tanks, I want one so bad! Pictures?

 

I love blackwater tanks, I want one so bad! Pictures?

I'll have pictures this coming Sunday, I am stocking it with around 30 neon tetras.