1. Prior to adding roots into a tank it should be soaked in a separate bucket. This has the advantage of making the wood become waterlogged, at which time it should naturally weigh itself down when added to your tank. Also large amounts of tannin are released during this period and thus it is advisable to make plenty of regular water changes to the bucket. Be patient because although it can take as little as fourteen days for the wood to become waterlogged it can also be a two-month process, depends on the size of root.
2. Once in your tank there is no cast iron guarantee that waterlogged bogwood will not float. If you have problems keeping waterlogged root in place then nylon cord can be used to tie the root to a stone or slate (inert) in order to make the wood stay down.
3. Despite the steps taken at 1, tannin acid, brown-yellow in colour, will continue to be released by the root, which gives the aquarium an Amazonian effect (good if you have any particular fish species requiring this, e.g. Cardinal Tetra). Activated carbon will remove the colour produced by the wood, and regular water changes also help.
4. Don’t worry about the natural acidic tannin, as it does no harm to the fish