dankdabe
Members
I have an awesome large piece of driftwood, see attached, that I picked up in the Northern Neck of VA late this summer roasting out in the sun on the beach. Over several months I've attempted to leech tannins by submerging 3/4 of it in boiling water in a 5 gal bucket, alternating sides to make sure all of it is submerged at one point or another. I've probably boiled it 20 times over the past few months. Its been sitting dry for the last month and a half, but I would really like to throw it in my 55 gallon Jack Dempsey tank. I boiled it twice last night and it still leeches tannins but isnt bad. I've read several things and want some feedback. Essentially I want to know if you all think I should throw it in there. Several questions:
A) I've read that some people think its automatically a no-no to use driftwood that has been in saltwater. Is that really a problem if its been boiled many many times?
B) The bottom of it, see second picture, #4, was rotting (soft, easily breaking off) so I chipped, and sawed away until I reached hard wood. Is this a problem? You can see in the picture that some dark green mold (quarter size) has grown on it after having been left idle for the past month and half. It would seem that this is natural given that the wood has been wet and then left to "dry-out" in a basement...
C) As you can see in the photo of the water (in a glass and in the bucket with the piece) that tannins are leeching out and the water is left tinted. I've heard this is harmless. Anyone's two cents?
Sorry for the overly long email. Just looking for feedback and want to make sure its safe before making a bad decision.
Thanks,
David
A) I've read that some people think its automatically a no-no to use driftwood that has been in saltwater. Is that really a problem if its been boiled many many times?
B) The bottom of it, see second picture, #4, was rotting (soft, easily breaking off) so I chipped, and sawed away until I reached hard wood. Is this a problem? You can see in the picture that some dark green mold (quarter size) has grown on it after having been left idle for the past month and half. It would seem that this is natural given that the wood has been wet and then left to "dry-out" in a basement...
C) As you can see in the photo of the water (in a glass and in the bucket with the piece) that tannins are leeching out and the water is left tinted. I've heard this is harmless. Anyone's two cents?
Sorry for the overly long email. Just looking for feedback and want to make sure its safe before making a bad decision.
Thanks,
David