Preparing Mopani Driftwood

[irishspy]

I like mopani wood: it colors and shapes are quite attractive. The leaching isn't much of a problem, really.

 

[Que]

The pieces I recently got were outside the store on a bottom covered shelf in between some garden pots. I have no idea how long they were outside getting sun for some time of the day and through the seasons. When I dropped it into the tank it sank right away. Leaving it in the tank it released some tannins. I boiled the wood once for over an hour and had no tannins released after that. So perhaps the seasoning of the wood counts for something but who wants to wait that long.

Q

 

[glcasper]

I have my two new pieces soaking in the tub as of now. I boiled them for about 5 hours three days ago. They still turn the water brown, but not as dark as they used to. It is not a bad color though, I don't think it'll bother me too much in the tank I am setting up. It will still be a couple weeks until they go in, so maybe by then the water will stay clear?

 

[Ajordan]

You could get a bigger tank so the leeched tannins aren't as concentrated and thus not as dark (initially) :silly:

 

[Radar]

Thanks all for the replies.I boiled them again today for another 5 hours and it does seem to be getting lighter especially the smallest piece.I have them just soaking in water now and I am going to give it a few more days and try bakeing them as suggested and add them to the tank.I really like my water crystal clear so if they bleed out I will try the carbon.

 

[smyke]

I bought 2 pieces at Petco a month or so ago and realy not having a whole lot of leeching. I boiled them for about an hour (changed water once) before drying them and introducing to the tank.
at first it stained a little but after one water change it looks a lot better and I didnt run any carbon.
maybe I just got lucky.