Driftwood

[mkutsch]

So, firstly, hello! Secondly, I was thinking about some cool ideas for a FO, and driftwood crossed my mind. I was like, why doesn't anyone use it? I mean, it comes from the ocean, and though so many like rock, I thought it would be kinda different. Is it because of decay or something harmful, or because no one likes the look of branches with saltwater? I thought I might try it sometime.

 

[mkutsch]

Oh noes, forget #3!! Finally, should I maybe do this one day, would anyone advise me against getting the JBJ 6 gallon peninsula? Thanks.

 

[bruleyii]

I think it messes with your water chemistry. I can't remember specifically what part, but I think it leaches stuff into the tank.

 

[mkutsch]

What If I soak it?

 

[bruleyii]

This is what I've been finding:

"Driftwood is probably a stretch since it could leach something like tannins (tannic acids), which can lower the pH (not a good thing for any SW tank). It could be possible with driftwood that has been in saltwater (not like a bog or marsh wood). You would probably want to keep it in a separate tank (like a quarantine) for a long time to see if you can get that pH level to be the same as your tank (i.e. most of the tannic acids have been used up). Maybe something like petrified wood would be a better option."

So pretty much it releases a tannic acid, tints the water and lowers your PH. Thats what a few quick links returned for me.

 

[Chris Adams]

In my daughters fresh water tanks they are always the first to grow algae. We have soaked these in bleach multiple times over the years to clean them but eventually they get all nasty again.

Personally would advise against it

 

[mkutsch]

Crap, don't want that. Welp, I guess I'll see what I can do

 

[mkutsch]

Thanks

 

[jonneyb]

If you want driftwood they do sell fake plastic wood they looks fairly realistic.

 

[m6c5]

I have driftwood in a 29 gallon freshwater tank and it lowered my ph by a few points. I don't have any tannins leaching out as I soaked the wood in a tub of water for a couple months prior to putting it in the tank, I did have to change the water in the tub quite often in the beginning to help woth the tannins. Also I don't have any algae growing on the wood but then again I don't have much algae in the tank at all.