Does boiling driftwood damage the wood?

beviking

beviking

Senior Member, Sophomoric Attitude
Feb 16, 2002
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I thought I read somewhere (can't find the site now!) that boiling driftwood could break down the fibers or cellulose or something in the wood and possibly cause the wood to rot which would lead to various other problems. Is this true? Just picked up a piece from the lfs and I want to make sure it's "bug" free b4 intro into the tank.
I'd put it in the q-tank but plan on picking up some fish tonight and am concerned that the wood will absorb meds. (formalin). Should I be concerned about this? Thanks.
 
When you boil it, the tannins quickly leech out so when you put the wood in the tank, it does not make the water a tea color. No, nothing happens to the wood. If the wood is too big to boil in a bot, put it in something like an old garbage pail or big container and pour boiling water in it, and leave it for the day. then, do it again at night, and again in the morning. Once the water is no longer brown, you can put it in the tank without getting tea color water. I had a little problem with my wood at first because it would not stay down. If that happens to you, just leave the wood soaking for a few days so that it gets waterlogged(you don't have to change the water and it really doesn't neet to be hot), or, you can put some rocks on the bottom to keep it down.
 
I just soaked my driftwood in the bathtub for a few days with a couple of water changes....when the water stays clear, it's OK for the tank.....not really necessary to boil it, if you bought it at an fish store........you may still get a little residual "tea" color in your tank, but carbon filtering will take that out.....after a few weeks, along with water changes, it'll be fine!
 
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