Some advice needed on driftwood and rocks

**marcusdeming** · 3rd Nov 2015, 15:33

Hi all, can anyone share with me what thus usually do with new driftwood and rocks.

I had rinse my driftwood and rocks in hot water for about an hour and have been soaking them in the tank with filters running for 2 days and it seems like it still leaking causing the water to turn slightly yellowish.

Is there any known cases where the black rocks in my photos would actually change the colour of the water?
I have change the entire tank of water everyday just to be sure that it's not leaking tenin.

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**Urban Aquaria** · 4th Nov 2015, 15:57

Personally i usually boil wood for a few hours and soak any wood and rocks i get in a bucket of water for a few weeks (changing the water every 2 days to flush out the released tannins and minerals). I use a TDS pen to test the water each time to check the amount of minerals released by the rocks and its effect on the water (usually after many water changes its effects reduce over time).

Some types of wood release very little tannins (usually the cured hard wood types) while others release alot of tannins (usually those soft wood types that are still rotting and have bits flaking off), so its just a matter of trying and seeing.

The yellowish tinting is due to tannins still leaching from those wood pieces... depending on wood type and quality, sometimes even after boiling the wood extensively, they will still continue leaching tannins for quite a long time more. Though the tannins should gradually diminish over time with regular water changes. You can also add active carbon or adsorption products like Seachem Purigen to help remove the tannins faster too.

The rocks will not be the source of tannins, though instead they may release minerals that might raise pH and GH.

**marcusdeming** · 5th Nov 2015, 08:57

Thanks for the info. I just added the soil in and though my guess is it is still leeching but it is not so obvious now but will monitor over time.

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**happydanio123** · 5th Nov 2015, 11:36

I usually Soak the wood in boiling water and then leave the wood soaking there for some time. Afterwards I scrub the rocks and then boil them in water.

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**marcusdeming** · 7th Nov 2015, 14:48

Thanks for the advice. I am quite reluctant to boil as I may not use the boil anymore. I simply only flush it in boiling waters d than have it in the tank soaking with the filter running. It does seems like the leeching has stop now.

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**marcusdeming** · 10th Nov 2015, 22:54

Not sure if anyone have had this before but I am seeing white transparent cotton like thingy on one of the driftwood in the tank. Anyone know what's that and what can be done to it. Only one piece have that on some sides of the driftwood.

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**Urban Aquaria** · 10th Nov 2015, 23:20

Originally Posted by marcusdeming

Not sure if anyone have had this before but I am seeing white transparent cotton like thingy on one of the driftwood in the tank. Anyone know what's that and what can be done to it. Only one piece have that on some sides of the driftwood.

Thats usually just mold or fungus feeding on the residual rotting organic matter on the wood... they will usually disappear on their own over time, or you can just manually remove them. When your tank is cycled, most shrimps that are added as clean-up/algae crew will also help to eat up the mold or fungus growth too.

**marcusdeming** · 11th Nov 2015, 00:13

Was checking the thread when you responded. I have actually introduce 3 dwarf puffers and 5 yamatoes as commandos clean up. Did see the puffer hunting for snails and the yamatoes eating but not on the mold though. Will continue to monitor.

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**Urban Aquaria** · 11th Nov 2015, 11:40

Originally Posted by marcusdeming

Was checking the thread when you responded. I have actually introduce 3 dwarf puffers and 5 yamatoes as commandos clean up. Did see the puffer hunting for snails and the yamatoes eating but not on the mold though. Will continue to monitor.

Try not to feed the yamato shrimps until they clear all the mold/fungus (its usually a "last resort" food for them, probably not very tasty)... they usually prefer eating algae or commercial pellet food, so limiting their food supply will encourage them to help eat up the mold/fungus first.

**marcusdeming** · 11th Nov 2015, 13:36

At the moment, no feeding at all. Only cleaners are in. Just not sure if the yamatoes are sufficient as I only have 5 pcs in a 3ft tank.

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**Urban Aquaria** · 11th Nov 2015, 14:24

Originally Posted by marcusdeming

At the moment, no feeding at all. Only cleaners are in. Just not sure if the yamatoes are sufficient as I only have 5 pcs in a 3ft tank.

It all depends on the amount of algae in your tank... if there is alot of algae growth then add more shrimps accordingly, if there is less algae then keeping just a few will be sufficient. Just have to monitor and see.