Driftwood/Brownwater

[Jaws22]

I have 2 very large pieces of driftwood, and I have the brown water that comes with it. How long does it take to clear up?

[linuxrulesusa]

Depending on how long you've had it, type of wood, size, etc...possibly months?  Water changes will help.

[JeffroM]

Weeks, months, years...  Do lots of water changes.

[djlamonica]

Yeah I had a 10 set up for about 8 months with a two small pieces of drift the water would slowly start to turn brown through out the week. Lots of water changes and heavy gravel vacs.  I actually kinda like the look of the tannins in the water though looks natural to me.

[Regalblue]

Lots of water changes (as stated) also carbon will help (a little bit )

[Jaws22]

Thanks for  the replies, now for plan B lol.....

[danielratti]

If you have a pot large enough or a wash sink in your basement you can always soak it in there with hot or boiling water this will help speed up that process.

[aggriffin3]

I actually don't mind my water being a little on the brown side, caused by the tannon in the driftwood. I have heard the fish actually like it better?

Art

P.S. I believe it softens the water a bit?

[danielratti]

Yes it will make your water softer

[Ron]

Yes it will make your water softer

Can you explain in more detail?

My impression is that the decay will lower the pH, but that it doesn't necessarily make the water "softer", though people tend to tie/confuse those two things together since acidic water is commonly also soft, while harder water is typically a higher pH ("lack of" verses "presence of" mineral content).

[danielratti]

From what I've always understood the tannings will make your water softer nothing to the point where it will harm anything.

[four_by_ken]

I have quite a bit in my 85 gallon.  I hate the yellowing of the water.  What I did to speed up the process was to put the wood in a cooler and then pour boiling water in the cooler.  Let it sit over night and then do it again.

You would be amazed how fast it turns the water colors when it is in hot water.  Just an hour later the water was the color of Pepsi.

It is still turning my water a tea color.  But weekly water changes pretty much get rid of it.  But, by the time the week is up... I can tell.

I set this tank up the middle of September 2012.  Then added a couple more pieces about a month later.  It is still getting the color worked out. 

[danielratti]

I always boil the crap out of mine for like 1 to 2 hours with constant changing the water. Ill do it for 2 days then it stays good.

[DimSum]

IME if you run some purigen in a filter that will clear the water right up.  Otherwise, it's just a waiting game until all the tannins leach out of the wood.  Driftwood does lower the pH of the water but that effect is temporary which is why those of us who do keep species that like tannins usually use oak or Indian Almond leaves-makes the tanks look like I have used teabags in the filters