Don't Let Driftwood Destroy Your Fish Tank: How to Properly Clean Driftwood for an Aquarium

Hello Fellow Fish Keepers!
In this video we talk about the best ways to prepare and clean driftwood for your aquarium.
If you want more information on what driftwood will do to your water parameters check out this video: • Does Driftwood Lower A...
If you want to know what to do about brown water caused by driftwood check out this video: • What to Do When Your A...
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[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If you want more information on what driftwood will do to your water parameters check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4a3dmqXbZqlqLc If you want to know what to do about brown water caused by driftwood check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZeWo3aBd8aso5Y Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member! kzbin.info/door/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel! kzbin.info/door/PEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg

[@Whiteknight0721]

Hi Jason , I have several piece that wer sitting in a old garage that were in a my old tank previously I’ve soak them for a few days empty water every other day wire-brushed them now in the hydrogen pexiode mix 30 gallon tote ) should I be ok with this ? Assuming your method was new driftwood

[@cyngo1080]

Igot driftwood from seashore is it ok...

[@renato2354]

Wife: Hey, why is my favorite pot brown? Me: Oh, um... I made chocolate pudding

[@DarrylMcCullough]

😂😂😂

[@matthewpetersen4417]

being a plumber, boiling water down the drain will help clean your system (off topic)

[@Butterflies-are-free]

Ooooh thanks for the tip! 💜

[@aquaticaesthetics5117]

You do not have to boil imported woods such as Mopani, Malayasian, Spiderwood, Tigerwood, etc. Imported wood is required to be kilned and totally dried before shipping to the US. Boiling however will help remove the tanins and help the wood sink.

[@jennaweber1638]

So you can put Mopani directly into your tank after buying it?

[@danikaflute]

@@jennaweber1638 I mean yes but you’ll have a lottt of tanin

[@879-07hjkmkl]

@@jennaweber1638 tannin can be a good thing if thats the water color you want, it isnt pollution and it makes a nice brown river color, goes good with large cichlids in planted tanks.

[@coletteerescon4508]

Any wood can be a good idea to be cleaned/boiled whether you know where it's been or not, to avoid it getting fungus etc.

[@othelopescasio3603]

My wood didnt sink after 1hr of boiling

[@akira3871]

If your wood is turning your water brown you can always throw some activated carbon in your filter. It'll remove the tanins in a few hours.

[@dotslashsatan]

How do you get active carbon? Is it expensive / easy to make?

[@ushakirantonjam2827]

@@dotslashsatan btw don't make activated carbon urself pls buy it

[@hexagod1313]

​@@dotslashsatan It's about $10 and you can buy it from a fish/pet store or from the internet

[@edkruzel]

For those in the NE, anywhere you find coal or slate where white birch grows, you'll find toppled trees with the root systems nearly petrified. Used as driftwood, is beautiful and sinks.

[@downstairsaquarium6670]

about to add driftwood to my tank for the first time! this video could not have come at a better time!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good luck!

[@kalieka]

How did it go? "-)

[@Mouse-dd7dn]

How is it looking

[@kaquarium7888]

This video was entirely refreshing Jason! You thoroughly covered the topic in a scientifically correct manner, and I don't typically say that lightly. Thank you for the enjoyable and factually-sound coverage of this topic. I've been using many of these methods over the years, and my only wish is for a much more concentrated solution of hydrogen peroxide to be available (having worked with the stuff myself, I know why it isn't, but it sure would be convenient). Since the stuff in the bottles sold OTC is only 3%, I've gotten quite a few strange looks when buying enough to soak some driftwood!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@edjdj2330]

How much hydrogen peroxide should I put? What should be the ratio to the water? Thanks!

[@babyfishbreeder]

I soak my large pieces of driftwood in old bathtubs. When we got our house renovated, I asked my parents to let me keep the replaced bathtubs for pet purposes.

[@FrederickDunn]

All outstanding advice, thank you so much! I have access to lots of beachfront driftwood and was wondering how feasible it is to use it for aquaria. You've answered all of my questions here :)

[@Kyle_Hubbard]

A, it's Frederick. Love the videos and the really informational bee videos.

[@1SillyTilly]

Holy blueberries! What crossover episode is this with my two favorite podcasters?! Did not expect to see my favorite bee expert over here!

[@879-07hjkmkl]

If it doesnt leak tannins (and wont float) and is too big to boil, wash it clean and keep it in somewhere dry for days and days. You should be fine, thats what ive done for years and nothing bad has ever happened.

[@tahahussain1481]

Hi, i got some questions please

[@jodyrudd1831]

I had a load of driftwood sitting in my lean too for about 4 months. I'm just gonna wash it with hot water and hydrogen peroxide I think.

[@jessicashou768]

I love that you put captions in the video that tell us what we're seeing in the videos! A lot of times I wonder what kind of fish is in the video or tank size and I never get an answer. This is a much easier way to know!

[@lilianubia3648]

This video appeared right when I needed it, I just bought some driftwood and was about to prepare it for the aquarium, thanks!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good to hear!

[@johnlarsen8308]

I have poured boiling water on my large pieces. Then let it soak in the tub for at least a week

[@redbull8536]

Depending on your stocking, tanins can be very benificial for some fish. But i personally soak it for weeks, smaller peices i will boil

[@asier2001]

I love tanins' efect in water, it gives to the acuarium a natural view

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Me too. And besides, after a couple of years in the aquarium a lot of the tanin has disappeared.

[@joen714]

Same here plus the tannins can be very beneficial

[@saltycat662]

Me too. Makes the fish look like they're in a natural environment.

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Hello Jason, great topic!! I remember when I first started setting up these aquariums that was one of the things that I searched for were videos like this! This is great and is going to help so many people including myself! Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a wonderful day! 🙏🌿🐟🌿💚

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You have a great advantage being surrounding by it. Haha

[@marc8919]

I just soak mine for a few days, then add to the tank, I don't mind the brown water. I wish it lowered my ph but no luck.

[@ThePOCKETLION]

How much 3% hydrogen peroxide should we add per gallon for soaking the wood? Could anyone please share the ratio?

[@jessiecooper8532]

2:40 the most important advice in this video 😂

[@KarAashika]

Finally! Someone who actually tells what to do

[@dennisvanopstal7360]

I have seen a lot of videos of you in the last few weeks. And i agreed with all of it. Learned a few new things along the ride. But this is the first No for me. You dont need to boil wood. In fact, its can even be detrimental for the woodfibers causing it to rot faster. Especially with thinner pieces and softer woods. Presoaking it is enough, and if you are worried about pests, just add vinigar to the water. Or liquid Co2 (glutaraldehyde) This will decontamimate everything. And the wood will definitely last a lifetime. Much cheaper as having the stove on for hours also. As for the tannins before someone asks. Just filter over carbon to remove it.

[@Lewythefly]

I let my Plecos eat the white fungi off the huge piece of drift wood in my 4ft and they are fine, they keep it pretty clean

[@dezmanforjesus]

Do you soak the driftwood and 100% of 3% hydrogen peroxide? Or a mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water? I have a 4 ft long piece of driftwood to soak. Thank you

[@calibuttafly]

Hi, I just purchased a big piece of Grape wood driftwood for my freshwater tank. I have been soaking it for 24 hours now. I poured out the cold water and poured hot water over it again. It's now soaking for another 24 hours. I have a bin that it's in. Can I run boiling hot water over it in the bin and let it soak for 20 mins or so then repeat to speed the process so that I'm not waiting a week to put it in? I'm attaching plants to it as well. The peroxide step...What's the ratio? I'm soaking in a 5 gal bucket. Need to know how many bottles to get. I'm actually out of peroxide lol. Also, it's slimy. Do you now what can cause that? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for an awesome vid!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You can use the boiling water method. The slime is normal - just either bacteria or fungus coating the wood when it is new. Since there are no fish too worry about in the bucket you can dump a half bottle in there without having to worry about anything.

[@icarlsw34]

Not sure how much hydrogen peroxide is needed per gal of water, or if he is advocating for using only hydrogen peroxide by itself. That would be extremely expensive for a large piece of wood. No thanks. I have also used vinegar for cleaning the wood as it is an acid and is safe for aquariums. Just rinse it off after use. Also, I have used a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide and just sprayed the wood with it while cleaning it. Then let it soak in water for a few weeks.

[@filthygaijin6566]

I had white fungus growing on driftwood, but my mollies ate it all up. Literaly picked it clean.

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

I collect driftwood around the US and Mexico, a hobby i developed during my desert hikes. I find beautiful pieces of ancient driftwood, extremely dense and heavy. I don't have to worry about pathogens since this wood has been in the desert sun forever. I do have to worry about tannins and wood types that have natural defenses (poisons) to prevent insect attacks which is not uncommon with desert woods. An example is iron wood. I have not been able to buy or find other woods that are as beautiful as sun bleached ancient desert hardwood pieces. Sorry for the long story but I love aquascaping with this wood

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

That is cool!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That really is cool!

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

@@user-ik5gf5xs1z I have 1400 gallons of aquariums so I use most of it. Now I am using smaller pieces to grow anubias plants on. I have thought about hiring some kids in Mexico to collect for me but have not gone that far yet. My brother collects it too and sells it, he is in Arizona, but only deals with the huge pieces

[@Keldrath]

I don't see what the issue would be with using a normal pot you use for cooking food. I mean the waters boiling so it's already sterile and like i assume you'd clean ur pots so idk what the big deal would be. I guess some people can be kind of weird about that stuff though. As for the bleach and chlorine I don't think there's really anything to worry about. Chlorine evaporates out of water incredibly quickly. Like if you take one gallon of tap water and let it sit out for about 1 hour, it's already dechlorinated, there's no chlorine left in the water, and you don't need any chemicals to do that. So I imagine if you did bleach it and then just soaked it in regular tap water for a couple days I imagine all the chlorine would be gone by then and it'd be totally safe. That's chlorine though, Chloramine is a different story.

[@fishiemon64]

tannins are our friends ❤

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I agree :-)

[@kirkscobey3031]

I take a gallon of vinegar and box of baking soda.. coat everything with baking soda and pour on vinegar.. it boils up nicely removing debris aggressively. Then I soak it in water s couple days rinse repeat and done. I let it dry off awhile before adding it to tank

[@makiarn777]

Thank you I may try this method

[@gk9417]

How much peroxide used for 5 gallons of water 🤷✌️🙏🇨🇦

[@janicelange8987]

Great video, Love my Tannins, Love my biofilm. Both have great benefits. Love from Wisconsin.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I like them too. :-)

[@jawjagrrl]

So glad I found this. I've got really BIG pieces for a pair of 75s and I like the peroxide idea way better than other methods I had seen used like salt. Being freshwater only here, I wouldn't have a good way to be sure I has soaked all the salt back out.

[@kirstenpatel]

The salt shouldn't be an issue if its proper aquarium salt, or iodine free salt like sea salt. I add aquarium salt to my fresh water tank to help with electrolytes and to buffer the PH.

[@katm8122]

I recenly started my first thank with river rock, spiderwood and a few teeny plants. Used Seachem Prime and Stability as directed. Tested the water and it is not showing ammonia, nitrites and very little nitrates. I then added some Easy Green fertilizer. I am starting to see some fuzzy white growth on the driftwood like you mentioned. Is that a good thing? Does that mean the tank is starting to cycle?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yep - you may be able to add a few small fish!

[@DoubleOh42]

Everyone in the comments. Perfect Time I am going to add mine. Me: I just added it, how wrong did I screw this up.

[@jeremyb6627]

If you boil drift wood, try to use a stainless steel pot, and not an aluminum pot like me. The tannic acid that it leeches out will turn the pot black. Live and learn lol.

[@StaticRay11]

What kind of pleco was that with the long fins, was beautiful.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Those are long fin blue eye albino bristlenose!

[@whanethewhip]

I bought a nice looking relatively small piece of driftwood from petco and have been soaking it 24/7 in a bin. I change the water every day. Every video I've seen says it may take weeks but 6 months later... it is STILL leaking tannins. I may have to pass it on to a relative to continue this process in case I die before the tannins are gone.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Or embrace the tannins. 😀

[@hectorvargas4771]

I got in trouble for using my wives pot to boil driftwood. Wish I had watched this video before doing so lol

[@kellyrobinson7750]

I just bought a kapas root for my beta and i cant find ANY info on this. Anyone know if its safe for betas!? And how to prep it

[@Simon-rx7sv]

I boil mine then change the water and boil again then simmer for a few hours, then I change the water again and I leave it soaking it in de-chlorinated water for it to become water logged, my thinking is my tank is de-chlorinated and a water logged log with chlorinated water might not be good for the tank? just my thinking I don't know if my way is the best way or not, would be good to hear some thoughts on it as we are all aiming to do the best for our fish

[@felipesanchez1764]

Sounds like you've been introuble a few times 😂 #relate

[@hmprobob]

My local fish store was running low so dude sold me a piece out of one of his tanks 😎 a G

[@Evan-mh7it]

pressure cooking will kill off spores

[@RaceSmokie]

All in all, there are only benefits from adding driftwood?

[@jayzeljomy6786]

How much hydrogen peroxide would you put in a 10 gallon tub of warm water for the wood?

[@davidcarroll7143]

Driftwood isnt cheap from the store. , outragious

[@ljgizzle]

I live by the beach and found some great driftwood and empty shells. They were small, manageable, pieces for my tank, so I boiled them for several hours (with water changes) over a few days (not constantly!). No issues with it after a month or so, my corys love nibbling it and other fish love darting through it! There's no mould, my water is clear with a tannin glaze and it worked a treat!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You are lucky!

[@ljgizzle]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Lucky because I'm putting the fish at risk or because I can get the pieces for free? Now I'm worried haha

[@h.Freeman]

I run the show she bet not say nan if I boil wood in the house Don't tell her I said that..it's between us ok guys🤫😐😁

[@markhunter2244]

Great advice, I’m afraid it’s came a bit to late though. I’ve already got into trouble a while back for using a cooking pot for boiling the driftwood 😳🤓

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Well, at least now you have the "driftwood pot". Haha

[@makiarn777]

Nice excuse for your partner to request a new set of pots! Lol!

[@annalee7403]

If you need that type of relationship advice, you've got bigger problems.

[@markhunter2244]

Yip 🤪

[@markhunter2244]

@@annalee7403 to true, I’ve absolutely no common sense 😳

[@pipex4257]

Very informational video! thanks

[@l0v338]

Hello‼️ I need help because on my driftwood i have little white spots (?) its not fluffy it looks like eggs kinda but they're attached to the wood. I have ghost shrimp and a betta in there and it might be eggs from the shrimp but i haven't been able to find anything🤷 I just need some help😭‼️

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If you have any snails in the tank it could be snail eggs too.

[@estherchi340]

I need to do the hydrogen peroxide soak method with "hydrogen peroxide 3%" solution that I buys from pharmacy. Do I spray it on? If so, spray it and leave it on for how long? or buy dozens of "hydrogen peroxide 3%" 32 fl oz bottles to fully submerge the driftwood in a 10 gallon plastic tote? Or can I dilute the "hydrogen peroxide 3%" in the plastic tote? If dilution of the ""hydrogen peroxide 3%" in water is what you meant can be done, what should the dilution ratio be? Thank you so much for your wonderful videos!!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I would spray it

[@Thelostgoldhunters]

Entertaining , but I don't agree that driftwood introduces diseases. I Use driftwood from an Ocean beach all the time with minimal preparation. Washing around in the ocean it is extremely unlikely that any diseases survive ,and on dry wood impossible, much less when you transfer it to freshwater. Also, pretty much all tannins have already leached out. I've never boiled driftwood and never had any issues with fish contracting diseases. is a lot of unneccessary mystery created around the subject. Probably created by the industry that sells over priced wood that they bought cheaply in an African country or China. Of course there are a few species that aren't suitable but Ihave yet to encounter one...

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Most people don't live near an ocean, so if they get their driftwood from a freshwater source, and that wood hasn't been sun-baked, the likelihood of transferring microbes is much higher.

[@jeremiahsalas3524]

I have a question, Grab a bucket, put hot water, put driftwood, put little hydrogen peroxide, leave overnight, put water again in bucket, then im good? Please answer, thanks

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good plan!

[@tropicaltanktv]

Does anyone have any experience with using oak? I've read in a few places that it's safe for aquariums, but who knows. I have a few big pieces drying out that I'd love to use in my big tank I'll be setting up soon.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I haven’t tried it?

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

I've been fighting to get a large roundish piece of driftwood to sink. I've had it for 2 weeks in a 5-gallon green Menard's pail that is just narrow enough to wedge it down, but it still won't stay on it's own. It's home will be a 55-gallon goldfish aquarium and my Minneapolis city water is relatively soft. Is the ph dropping effect of driftwood a problem? I've heard conflicting information.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

For soft water the driftwood can lower pH. You could always glue the wood to a rock?

[@martyborst5645]

Greetings Jason and Joanna.(Did I spell your name correctly Joanna?) I have had so many questions around driftwood. I think it might look good in my 150 gallon discus tank. This video was timely. By the way that orange Severum is strikingly beautiful. Sincerely, Marty Borst.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You spelled it correctly! Haha - Driftwood would look very cool.

[@makiarn777]

Yes that Severum is magnificent!

[@bksmotherman]

How much hydrogen peroxide?

[@isabelmontano4941]

I live in az so I got a pot and put it out in the sun and it literally boiled cause it was so hot outside

[@BENfromSUNDIAL]

Have I ruined everything by not realizing how important the microbe thing is? I just put my small wood in, and my big wood is too big to boil. I've had different types of driftwood from Amazon soaking together for months while not getting my tank setup done. Now I've put a couple pieces in two different tanks with seeds nicely growing and already added water to one, hoping the plants and Stability will make it betta-safe soon. Should I remove it to boil? Have I contaminated my substrate and plants and everything with harmful microbes now?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Probably haven't ruined anything. You can add the betta and see how everything does.

[@WTFENIGMA]

Omg what was that fish that was on the wood

[@avo089]

I didn’t do enough research and put my large piece of driftwood weighed down by some stones on the first day I bought it. It’s been about a month and a half and the biofilm still hasn’t disappeared. Both of my goldfish actually ate it and one of them developed some fungus on its body. While they are both alive, how do you think I can get rid of the biofilm for good? I’m also seeing brown appear on the wood and when I check on my HOB filter, it is just covered with brown stringy bits.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You can often siphon the bioflim off with a gravel vac or scrape it off and suck it out with the siphon.

[@wesstaff2493]

If I'm filling a 30 gallon tub to soak the wood, how much hydrogen peroxide should I put in with it? Or can I just fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and spray the wood then let it sit for a while, then rinse it off with water??

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Spraying it down works.

[@SassyHippo]

This video was perfectly timed! Thank you so much. I’ve had problems with wood before but I want to try again with quality pieces.

[@YazidHLH]

There are severum pict on the thumbnail, i klik 👍

[@wesstaff2493]

If I'm doing the hydrogen peroxide soak method......do you soak it with hot water or just room temp water?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Great question - room temp. Hot water will make the H2O2 break down faster!

[@unusualaquariumecosystems5805]

Surprised it could be unsafe.

[@Darwinstheory8]

Great tip! was thinking of puting some driftwood in my AQUADECOR 3D Background!🗻🗻🗻🗻

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Cool!

[@laraquerubin8250]

I bought mine at an aquarium place and they said I didn’t need to boil it.. now I’m freaking out.. am I going to kill my fish?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I e had wood that I didn’t boil and it worked out ok usually. I boil it when I can though.

[@EpicConspiracy]

From wood I get from store I just rinse it off and put it in the tank. I love the tannins.

[@1224Rook]

At 4:08 of this video…what type of pleco is that?

[@moraisins]

Such a helpful video Jason!! 🙏❤️ Can I ask how you do your peroxide solution for the larger pieces? How many parts peroxide to water for soaking?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

For the larger pieces I usually just soak them in a tote. You could easily add a bottle in a large tote.

[@moraisins]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics oh! Like soak it directly in hyrogen peroxide! Wow, ok thanks. Didnt realize we could use that much!

[@sharonabraham5280]

Hello HHH

[@XiaoPangZi]

What about baking in the owen instead?

[@DianSonyaPrasetya]

Do you have a solution if the wood is very large? I can't cut in small pieces because it will remove the asthetics

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You could soak it in a tote or large rubber garbage can (that has never been used).

[@kirkscobey3031]

Careful! Pet Smart also sells the in aquarium display wood!! Buyer beware!!

[@papasmerf6453]

Why is that? I bought a piece from Petco and have boiled and soaked it for 2 Weeks. Still floating.

[@Andyyy444]

I have a question. I have had driftwood in my tank for about a year now and I boiled the wood and it sinks and it’s all set except it still releases crazy amounts on tannins. Is there a way to fix this or do you have any other suggestions for decor?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It will become less pronounced with every water change. Other than boiling there’s not much else.

[@juanname5599]

Hey I found some red cedar wood on the beach that is very old and bleached. It’s a very thin piece that is full on tiny branches. Would you say that’s safe ? It has the red cedar interior color and smell but it’s dried out so I’m not entirely sure about it

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I haven’t heard anyone put that in their tank?

[@johnwood738]

Hello drift wood I’m John wood. LFS are asking for more of my super reds,said they look better hold up better for the little time they have them on the floor then what they have can get shipped in.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They can be a huge source of profit for sure!

[@RampartPh]

I've soaked a driftwood -to- be for about a month now and it's already water logged and I've already skinned it. Do I have to boil it still?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It can help reduce the likelihood of parasites entering the tank in the wood.

[@matthewpetersen4417]

The wood gets slimy, I tried this and got 3 days in and said I am not putting this in my tank. Who makes very real looking fake wood?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Maybe aquadecor?

[@CIXD9]

I was just recently having pH issues because of my driftwood, how convenient🙂

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The other video in the description talks about that in more detail!

[@atomicblastoise]

can i just pour boiling hot water into a bucket with big drift wood inside?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yes, but that gets dangerous!

[@englelisa45]

I've been boiling a dark small piece for a week 6 times a day and the water is still really dark. I don't want my tank water brown.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It might be best not to use that piece of wood?

[@FRamirez1A]

Can i just use vinegar for large pieces? Thanks!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hydrogen Peroxide might be better because it will eventually break down in water.

[@Workopeace]

First of all, let me say that you have useful tips in this video, but.. Most of them are not. Go to a nearby river or stream and see if someone pours all that chemical that is mentioned into the wather? Of course not. I'm not talking about polluted rivers, of course. The most important thing about a tree for an aquarium is that it is a type of plant that grows near water surfaces. They are naturally adapted to live in water or the immediate environment of water. Avoid all possible chemicals. in your aquarium. The only form of disinfection of anything in your aquarium, i recommend is baking soda. Just for example, look at how many videos you have of Discus fish, how to keep them, in what conditions and what people do to keep the water clean for them. And then look where Mother Nature has put them to live for thousands of years... Oh no,..what nature knows,..we are smarter. Just imitate nature and everything will be fine.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think what you are missing is the fact that the fish you buy in the hobby have probably not been exposed to the microbes in the river you mention. The reason wild fish are ok is their immune systems are optimized for the microbes in their environment - your aquarium fish may not be.

[@RyanDyalRealEstate]

I get that. Those larger rivers also dilute the water. It is like having a 300 gallon fish tank compared to a nano. With that said, I want to believe you and consider what you are saying. Because I live on a lake. So I kayaked around my cove and found a great piece of wood. I believe it to be Cypress, which has been soaking for a couple decades underwater. It is beautiful. I wanted to just scrub off any green algae and toss it into a tank that is cycling. But come here looking for the dangers. I have tons of Hydrogen Peroxide. Long story. But I can also easily get baking soda. Can you explain why that would be better? My piece is too large for anything smaller than a tub. I am all ears.

[@lacrosseguy108]

i have a piece of mopani woodin a tank with a nerite snail. when it started to grow the white foggy algae all over it, my nerite made it look like a brand new piece lol. nerites are pretty awesome for cleaning from what ive seen so far. highly reccomend them!

[@catfishcave379]

For soft woods that tend to disintegrate I use a toothbrush. For something like my 30 yr old grape root or Mopani root wood, I use dynamite-er-wire brush to clean it. Everything gets boiled when I acquire it. Don’t clean the white film/fuzz that grows on the wood once it is in the aquarium. Otocinclus and other brown-algae eaters love it! Other plecos usually eat it as well. I would guess shrimp would like it too.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Great points!

[@mrmorales408]

Do you ever sand your wood? I bought mopani cholla and spiderwood and I have a small group of 3/4" pygmy cory fish. Worried about sharp edges 😕

[@catfishcave379]

@@mrmorales408 If you see long spear-like points, you can sand them down, otherwise, for normal bumps or rough cholla wood, I just leave it alone. I worry about lava rock in a tank with fast fish who are always moving, but have no worries with small things like shrimp.

[@bethanycirota1099]

Hi, Jason! Thank you for all of the helpful content. I just recently added a very large piece of driftwood to my 75 gallon tank and I’m having a lot of trouble with my Corydoras. I wasn’t able to nil the wood, but I didn’t know that I could use hydrogen peroxide, either. Do you think I should remove the wood now and soak it in hydrogen peroxide? I’m actually treating the tank with Maracyn and ParaClense. Would the meds get rid of anything harmful on the wood? Thanks so much in advance. I really appreciate your channel.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Great question - my guess is the meds will do a better job of killing microbes/parasites on the wood than in the fish just because the microbes don't have a body to inside of to escape the medicine.

[@bethanycirota1099]

Great! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question!

[@Mixmastermez]

You can always pc it as well. (pressure cooker)

[@willymariani6010]

Do you suggest using oleander wood for a cichlid tank?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I haven’t used it?

[@gunnar5080]

Question, do I continue to boil till my water stops turning brown or is that something that will never stop?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It can get pretty close to clear for some types of wood.

[@jake032597]

I have a piece of driftwood that has been sitting on the porch, in the sun/rain for about 4 years. I have already introduced it to my tank, with my mystery snails. I did nothing to the wood. Any thoughts on how this will turn out?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

All depends if the wood was exposed to any animal waste or spore-forming microbes during that time. Might be ok though.

[@melissacalderonlopez9334]

I have boiled mine at least 4 times then boiled with water and peroxide and boiled again not sure the next step..

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That’s about as safe as you can make it.

[@bernandoturner4840]

👻great vid..

[@ragingcalmness7815]

this was a fun video to watch, assuming that an end-user of the product wouldnt go above and beyond to make their product safe, while on the other extreme also assuming the distributors of products bought in LFS or online are absolute saints and the best at getting the job done. Either ways, any decision always has its consequences 😉 at the end of the day all that matters is that you can cut it even with your conscience and not let guilt sink you along with your driftwood 🤪

[@navneethvigneshpathuri1588]

BUT,my fish like goldfish , angelfish, tetras have died when I placed my driftwood and brown water was formed, so my fish died from that brown water or organisms present in the driftwood and also my driftwood is big size, so I can't boil it

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Most likely it was either a parasite brought in with the wood, or if you have low KH it's possibly large pieces of driftwood crashed you pH.

[@navneethvigneshpathuri1588]

@@PrimeTimeAquaticsIf I boil the driftwood and keep will it be okay or wat to do ,I also don't have test kits

[@davidrix804]

Thats was a fantastic video very informative thank you.