Tips for sanitizing and darkening wood for aquariums

Howdy,


I have a trick I use for both sanitizing and turning wood and sticks dark brown/black for aquarium use. It is totally fish safe. You can sanitize just about anything with this method.

If I find a piece of wood I want to put in my tank there are 3 things I have to try and deal with If I do:

1) getting it water logged so It will sink (optional depending on the application)

2) geting all of the mold and strange bacteria off of it and who knows what else

3) making it look a nice dark brown color like wood that has been under water for a long time.


the answer to all of this is Potassium Permanganate. Its a dark purple powder that people love to use to start fires by adding glycerin to it.

well that's great fun, but after you get bored of that you can use it to sterilize things. It is sold on ebay for next to nothing intended for treating koi ponds. It is a very powerful oxidizing agent like bleach but quickly neutralizes upon contact with organic matter or any other oxidizeable substance.

long story short if a strong solution is made, it chemically "burns" things leaving them darkened with small amounts of carbon. in the process It absolutely kills all bacteria, viruses, and even small animals and bugs. Its fairly safe to handle, will turn your hands brown that's about all.

ok, so If you soak your logs in this for about a day or so, (that's prolly longer than necessary), they will be totally sterile and look a great dark color. The chemical will be completely neutralized at this point. They then can be taken in and added to the aquarium. maybe with a quick rinse before hand.

if a weak solution is added directly to the aquarium in very small amounts it can be used to kill some diseases like in the koi pond. but I dont really like doing this as it risks burning the fishes gills. they say in small amounts its safe tho.

the wonderful thing about it is it can be 100 percent neutralized by hydrogen peroxide if needed.


I am a huge fan of this chemical and use it for all sorts of stuff. It has a million uses.



-Buck

one added note is that some people use it as a quick dip for fish before they put them in the tank.

we're talking very small amounts like the tip of a pincil worth of powder for maybe 30 gallons. but it will be enough to turn all of the water entirely pink.

I used to use many years ago!
So many uses, net dips etc!

I never used this stuff before!!

That sounds like a great idea. I will have to look into this stuff more!

Great post!! Very nice

thanks!

the best part about it is you could easily treat a very large log or a long stick that would be nearly impossible to fit in a pot for boiling

have to check it out

you knows your chemistry!!!

Ok I am a little late on this post. Great information...my wife loves you ever since I caught the oven on fire trying to sanatize a lrg peice of driftwood from the lake I have tried almost everything...bleached the wood made it look horrible...sun baking takes for ever still have 3 peices out back hanging over the garden that I need to reclean because of the bird poo.

Thanks again