Driftwood and Tannins in an ACF Tank?

[mpmistr]

I have a real nice piece of driftwood and I've been soaking it for almost a week now. It doesn't seem to be letting up on releasing tannins.

I know tannins aren't really dangerous but a pH drop could be. I have some crushed coral I could add back to my canister to try to buffer it a bit. I don't mind the tea stained water that much, I figured the frogs would actually prefer it so long as the pH remains stable.

I'm actually using the tannins released from the wood for water changes in my cardinal tetra/corydora tank since they like that kind of water.

What do you guys think? Would it be risky to add this wood? I am thinking about getting a large tub and letting it soak out in the summer heat / hot water and then adding it to my main ACF tank in the fall. I'll post some pictures and it's a really really nice piece!

[n321]

I don't think it would lower the ph that much as long as your KH values are above 2 dkh.

[mpmistr]

I don't think it would lower the ph that much as long as your KH values are above 2 dkh.

Okay cool, I think I'm going to let it soak a month then toss it in there. I don't mind the tea colored water much, it will look like a swamp or something. =P

[Necromencer]

I added a huge piece of driftwood


I let it soak in a huge plastic container for about 3-5 weeks, changing the water frequently. Strangely, only sometimes it released colour noticeable tannins. So I thought it was ready, but I was wrong.

I highly recommend that you boil it, even it is only partially like I did (it was too big), only then I realised just how many tannins were leaking.

I'm not saying tat boiling will take it all way, but it speeds up the process a lot. My activated carbon in the filter gets rid of the murky looking water.

[mpmistr]

I added a huge piece of driftwood


I let it soak in a huge plastic container for about 3-5 weeks, changing the water frequently. Strangely, only sometimes it released colour noticeable tannins. So I thought it was ready, but I was wrong.

I highly recommend that you boil it, even it is only partially like I did (it was too big), only then I realised just how many tannins were leaking.

I'm not saying tat boiling will take it all way, but it speeds up the process a lot. My activated carbon in the filter gets rid of the murky looking water.

Yeah it's quite huge and I'm soaking it in a 5 gallon bucket, but half of it still sticks out. I was thinking about buying a large wash bucket and sticking it outside in the summer heat.

[mpmistr]

This is the wood in question. Cannot wait to add it in!