Driftwood and When to put it in?

[swimfin27]

I would like to put driftwood into my tank(not setup yet). I know to soak it in a brine for a few days and rinse but I would like to know; Should I put the driftwood in when tank cycling or after?

[parker002]

My opinion would be to put it in right away. Drift wood will alter water chemistry, even if only slightly. If you completely cycle your tank and then add new driftwood, there's a possibility it knocks your equilibrium off. By cycling your tank with the driftwood in, you're just letting everything normalize at the same time.

That being said, I switched from fake decorations to driftwood after my tank was cycled (a couple years after, actually) and never had a problem.

[swimfin27]

Thank you for the reply, parker. That was I was thinking. Going with Malaysian driftwood for lower tannins. I love the unique pieces AAP has available.

[parker002]

Yeah the Malaysian is striking. I used to use African Mopani and I liked it but the piece I have now came from the local area. I know a guy who makes driftwood "sculptures" with slate bases specifically for aquariums.

[devonjohnsgard]

I added right away after soaking it in saltwater for a while. I think the question was covered pretty well.

Love the profile pic. I'm right there at the beach with you!

[swimfin27]

SO apparently my original response did not post... I work at Presque Isle State Park in Erie PA which a very unique habitat and mostly beaches, I am very thankful and lucky to work at a national treasure. If you are ever in the area let me know and I will give anyone an exclusive tour of the area.

P.S. watched the new video and have to say, Devon, very node job on explaining what AAP is all about. I would love to be able to get paid for doing what you do.

[devonjohnsgard]

Jan 23, 2015 20:01:27 GMT -5 swimfin27 said:

SO apparently my original response did not post... I work at Presque Isle State Park in Erie PA which a very unique habitat and mostly beaches, I am very thankful and lucky to work at a national treasure. If you are ever in the area let me know and I will give anyone an exclusive tour of the area.

P.S. watched the new video and have to say, Devon, very node job on explaining what AAP is all about. I would love to be able to get paid for doing what you do.

Swimfin,

I would love to take you up on your offer. I would love to visit the East coast. We are very lucky to have the coast very coast to us. It's one of our most favorite places.

Thanks for the nice words about the video. I feel like I'm no pro, but I try and have plans to make even more videos all this year. I hate watching the videos of myself and after filming always feel like I could have done something different.

How about we switch up jobs for a bit? JK. It's a bitter sweet thing because I only get to do work for AAP a few hours a day. I also work at a school with kids who have a hard time expressing them self in public school. It's more of a focused school on mental health, which I got a degree in. I do this most the day, then help out at AAP during the afternoon. I just try help getting the word out about AAP's great information.

Anyways. Glad you have found the group. It will be nice to get to get to know you. Always feel free to comment on any of the AAP material you come across.

[angelminx]

I wish I could do what both of you do...I can't work any more, but I love animals and nature (not a big outdoor person, tho). I, too, would love to visit, but don't get to do much traveling any more, but it's nice of you to offer, Swimfin!

Angelminx
[originally from San Diego, now IL, ~ 50 miles NE of St. Louis.]

[Ameenah]

I use driftwoods in my tanks but I question soaking the wood in "brine" which implies a salt water solution.

I soak the wood in DE-CHLORINATED water for a couple weeks -- change the de-chlorinated water every 3-4 days as the tannins leach out. In the first few days it may be necessary to weigh down the wood (it will want to float) - some old tank decor or large stones work well for this. To de-chlorinate the water I simply use PRIME. If the weather is hot, I leave the bucket outdoors for the whole processing time - if its cold I process in the house --- the warmer the ambient temperature the quicker the tannins will leach out. Once the wood is fully water-logged with de-chlorinated water it will sink to the bottom of the bucket (and then your tank) naturally.

Driftwoods will tend to alter tank water chemistry esp pH, and can tint the water too, so in initial tank set-up certainly get the wood into the tank prior to cycling the tank.

To hasten the process you can boil driftwood for an hour or more (yep de-chlorinated water is what I use here too) - use an OLD pot because the tannins will badly and permenantly stain the pot. Once you've finished boiling then continue processing in a bucket of de-chlorinated water as above.

FYI driftwood really is a requirement for any plecostamus, they "file down" their teeth on it. Many people are suprised these "algae eating" fishes need driftwoods.

[parker002]

Call me paranoid, but I'd never introduce driftwood into the tank without brining it and/or boiling it. I'm not worried about tannins, I'm worried about germs.