New wood, would you?

[Sambo]

I don't even rinse mine just put them straight in - been doing this for eight years now, plecs love to keep them clean and shrimp too, the tannins look nice and give the water a golden touch.

 

[Sambo]

what is hma?

'scuse me. But what is HMA?

HMA is a pre filter to run your tap water through with a long hose on the outlet to fill your tank with. if run at approx 2lph it removes heavy metals (HM) also filters chlorine and negates the use of tap water conditioner if you get the chlor-plus model.
I came across it when researching keeping discus as their water quality is absolute paramount-I also believe that any aquatic life being kept deserve the same care and attention.
My favourite piece of kit, needs filters replacing once a year for average discus use (Loads of water changes) I do not use RO so with the HMA filter I don't waste a drop of water - I am on a water meter.