Using driftwood with axolotls

[norman]

does anybody know anything about using driftwood in aquariums. is it alright to use in tank with axolotls

[joan]

It needs to be soaked for a long time, or it will leak tannic acid and turn the water orange.

[ian]

But it is healthy and good for acidic fishes. I took mine 1/2 year and 1/2 waterchange every week to remove the tannic. Some mold grew on it as well.

[erick]

1/2 year! Is there any way to speed the process?

[jennifer]

Boiling it might speed the process. But you may just have to tolerate some amount of brownish color in the water. If you start with driftwood that has been outdoors for quite a while, it won't leach much.