ZooMed Natural Mopani Wood for WTF Enclosure... Pretreated? Tannins?

[irThumper]

I've read on the forum that this should be boiled and baked... only one problem, all we have is a microwave and a NuWave oven, so no way to do the first two :/ Other then the tannins this wood says safe for aquarium use, so would it already be presterilized/heat treated? Could I get away with soaking it in very hot chlorinated tap water, and then soaking it in filtered spring water with dechlorinator, until most of the tannins are out...?

[LilyPad]

You could scrub it with a 10% bleach/water solution and then rinse it really really well. There should be no remaining odor on it. Tannins are not an issue, people just do not like them in the aquarium because it discolors the water.

[deranged chipmunk]

"Safe for aquarium use" just means it can stay submerged without rotting. All wood should be cleaned throughly before use. You have no idea where it had been, how many different environments it has been exposed to, ect.

If you are not going to have a deep water feature, tannins won't be an issue. They don't hurt the frogs any, in fact, they are helpful in the rearing of dart frog tads.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[irThumper]

Thanks guys!