Soaking driftwood

[Fazzafaris]

So I have this large piece of driftwood I got from my lfs. Predictably it floats so I have been soaking it for a couple of weeks in a plastic dustbin outside. I checked on it today, and apart from still floating it seems to be developing some sort of slime like algae on it despite being covered with a lid in total darkness. I am obviously going to need to soak it for a while to get it to sink but I don't want to end up with a horrible slimy bit of green wood. What's going on, how can this stuff grow with no light? Any suggestions as to what it is and how to get rid of it?

Thanks.

[Fishfiles1]

algae cant grow without light if thats what it is, and if you want it to sink than take a plastic screw and a peac of slat and put the two too gethere and wala you have a sinking peace of wood

[dreadboy113]

Depending on the size of the wood and if you have a pan big enough you can boil it in water. This should kill any bacteria and helps to take the tannins out of the wood.

[jm1212]

give the driftwood a good scrub before you put it into the tank.

make sure the slime isnt mold.

[satanpie]

i too am trying to sink my driftwood, i boiled them each for a while and still floating, let themfloat in my tank for a little while and still float they are now in a bathub with slatescrewed to them, id rather not have the slate in ym tnak because i would hAVE TO DIG UP MY SUBSTRATE LAYER AND BURY IT, PLUS I WANT TO HAVE IT IN A POSITION THAT WOLDNT WORK IF IT HAD SLATE ATTACHED TO IT.

[briggadane]

I just did the same thing. I put the wood in the tank. It was beneficial bacteria in my case. After I realized it wasnt going to sink, I went to DIY store and bought a small stainless steel eye hook, and put a small sinker on it. All is well.
Just an idea for a quick, safe fix. Pull the hook out once it will stay down on its own, just so you dont chance any rust...

[Spewn]

Mine sank right off the shelf, but turned my bucket of water deep-brown overnight, like driftwood tea.

Methinks it needs a few more days in a larger tub.

To help your driftwood sink you could try simply weighing it down for now, and seeing if that gets it waterlogged enough that it stays down on its own eventually.

Otherwise, attaching something heavy to it is the only way I can think of.

[chaibill]

Did you change the water every 2 days or so. Also if the plastic tub is a light color like tan or olive I would think it will let light through on real sunny days.

[Mgamer20o0]

there are many kinds of driftwood some takes longer to sink then others. i just leave it in a bucket with a rock on it until it sinks.

[chaibill]

I have my mopani wood soaking right now in a tub I pured boiling water over it. Do I need to do this more than once or can I just keep it soaked in cold water for a week or so.

[Mgamer20o0]

its up to you. some people like the tan colored water. others want it gone from day one. its really up to you.

[Fazzafaris]

Unfortunately the wood is way too big to boil. I had it soaking in the bath for a while and it didn't really leak any tannins at all, which is one good thing. The bin is black plastic, and the weather has been pretty dull lately so not a lot of sun. How do I know if the stuff is mould or not? I have thought about the slate technique but I am keen to avoid if possible. The wood is already slightly too tall and I am going to have cut off a couple of inches to get it to fit. Using slate would just add to this and make me have to trim it even more. Besides which, it is being held under water by two rocks at the moment and I think it would take a massive piece of slate to hold it down. I think it has become less buoyant over the past couple of weeks but not fast enough for my liking ;)

Whilst we are on the subject, is it best to have the wood directly on the base glass of the aquarium or should I place it on top of the sand? I was thinking on the glass would be good as it would prevent gas pockets from developing beneath it. Then again it could also damage the glass?

[chaibill]

i was scrubbing the Mopani wood with a boars hair brush. Should i use a steel wire brush I think one of the skinny round brushes will be good at getting into the holes and cracks. Also will leave some nice channel scratches for bacteria growth.

[BoredAgain]

I scrub mine with an unused toothbrush, just to get some loose pieces off, does well enough for me. Scrub it as much as you want...or with a steel wire brush if you want.

[Fazzafaris]

Whilst we are on the subject, is it best to have the wood directly on the base glass of the aquarium or should I place it on top of the sand? I was thinking on the glass would be good as it would prevent gas pockets from developing beneath it. Then again it could also damage the glass?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this at all? :confused:

[chaibill]

I would just lay it on the sand or put a little gravel under the wood.

[BoredAgain]

I would just lay it on the sand or put a little gravel under the wood.
That's what I do.

[Que]

As to your original post... what you likely have on the wood is fungus. When you are ready to put it in the fish tank just give it a good scrubbing and rinse well. What some have done to help large pieces to sink is to drill holes into the bottom of the wood and fill with glass marbles then plug the holes or use stainless steel screws to block the marbles from dropping out.

Q