thoughts on adding driftwood to a reeftank?

[JLAudio]

I just picked up some cool shaped driftwood (shapely thin branches) from local waterfront and contemplating curing them and putting in reeftank. Any thoughts or experiences with this

 

[aaron]

you might get problems with tannins leaching out and discolouring the water. I'm not too sure what else may be released over time. This would definitely require a lot more research before you stick it in there.

 

[ecvernon]

i believe teh tannins released also lower PH

 

[twistedteq]

+1 on the tannins and dropping the PH. I would use it to help keep my PH down around 6 when I kept discus and angels many moons ago

 

[JLAudio]

this is what I was concerned of. I just imagined the effects of coraline algae growth on them eventually encrusting them an making a cool effect. However im not going to mess up water quality for potentially cool effect

 

[nanoreefer22]

Which water front if you dont mind me asking? Looking for somewhere to collect as well .

 

[JLAudio]

I collected right under the whitestone bridge in Queens. A decent amount over there and some good branches, not just the logs

 

[dabgood21]

I couldn't imagine why you ever would. It can break up and jam pumps and dirty your water and just mess up the overall balance of your tank. I say throw it away, carve something out of it or burn it

 

[Master Shake]

drop ph, possibly nitrates

 

[Achilton]

I believe it's the tannins that lowers the Ph. i used it in my malawi cichlid tanks when i did freshwater. If you soak it in a tub of water for a few weeks changing the water every once in a while the tannins eventually all leach out and it would be safe to put in your tank without the risk of lowering Ph.

 

[BrooklynReef]

Any new info on this? Did it work? I was really looking to add some drift wood for seahorse posts, but I also am concerned. Is there a way besides soaking it to make is safe? Ideally, I'm looking to have a few sticks comming out of a piece of live rock with a cup coral on top to use as a feeding station.

 

[George]

Use plastic driftwood for your horses. I have one piece that a friend gave me but have been thinking of getting more from Foster & Smith. My horses do use it, but prefer to hitch onto the incoming water spout for the night!

George