Bog wood

[WndrKdnomo@aol.com]

I hope this is not TOO off-topic for this list.  I am setting up a 29 gallon
tank.  I intend for it to be heavily planted and featuring a LARGE piece of
"bogwood" which I believe is actually a root.  Someone told me it was being
imported from Africa.
Anyway, I have had the tank set up for almost a month (no fish yet) and the
bog-wood is leaching incredible amounts of tannins,etc. into the water.  This
is not bad by itself (in fact, that was part of the plan) but there is also a
rather putrid smell to the water-NOT good. The wood itself gets covered with a
strange growth that is difficult to describe.  It looks somewhat gelatinous,
but when it is removed, it looks somewhat filamentous.  It does not appear to
be any kind of algae, at least none that I am familiar with, and appears
brownish in color, (but this could be staining from the water, which is very
dark) The tank is being filtered by a large Tetra sponge filter.
Does anyone on the list have experience with this bog wood?  I know that it is
widely available locally, almost all the shops have it.  Does it need to be
treated (boiled, soaked, Chloroxed, whatever) before using in the aquarium?
This piece is so large, it would be very difficult to find a container to
soak, etc., the piece in for any length of time.  Also, any ideas as to what
is growing on it?
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Jeff
WndrKdnomo@aol.com


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