Soaking driftwood

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