driftwood in the microwave

[jbrady33]

If you google "microwaving green wood:" you'll find a lot of woodworking articles by woodworkers that want to turn green wood and then artificially accelerate drying.

Figured, why not driftwood? Had a semi-green branch small enough to fit in a microwave that I wanted to use in a nano. Seems to be either Dogwood, Crepe Myrtle or American Hornbeam, depending on who I asked I de-barked it, had it soaking for over a week (it sank), then did the Microwave Treatment - 50% power for 5 minutes, cool, repeat. After 4 or 5 go rounds, the paper towels under it had less and less tannins soaked into it, the water being boiled/driven out was clearer and clearer.

It will probably float again now, so I'll re-soak. I imagine the microwave treatment could have come first just using the moisture in the wood.

Hoping this will lead to less tannins in the tank, we will see!

[Bubba Shrimp]

will probly kill anything that could contaminate your tank. I boil river rocks from the river where I live.