View Full Version : What woods Work in Fish Tanks
donaldastwood
08-23-2007, 8:10 AM
I have just recently found the most amazing root system off of a tree in my neighborhood that got up rooted for one reason or another. But it is a birch tree root system. Does any one know if Birch is a good wood to be used in aquariums??
BushFishRox
08-23-2007, 10:40 AM
from what I have heard it isnt. the best is dead dried out hardwood...
donaldastwood
08-23-2007, 11:13 AM
Really? the wood is too soft huh? So no chance of using it even after going through the motions of cleaning and sanitizing?
idk if birch is one of those woods thats bad to use or not but if you want it just let it sit for awhile in ur yard or somthing then soak it in a bin.
ken 429
08-23-2007, 5:11 PM
the only wood that i have been told is not good to use is pine and cedar.try soaking it and see if it leaches and if it does keep changing the water until it stays clear.you also might want to test water to see what effect it has on your ph.
meepster
08-23-2007, 6:51 PM
Don't use any wood from evergreen trees. The sap and resin doesn't dry completely and will rot. (and I've heard that it's not that good for your fish either)
Same thing with grapevine. Grapevine is pretty nice in reptile setups, but not aquarium safe.
The wood doesn't need to be dry, but dry wood is better because it has less tannins. Boil the wood over and over again until the water is close to clear. The wood will still leech a little tannin into your water, but the fish don't mind as long as you don't have hardwater fish like african cichlids.
Mystix212
08-24-2007, 2:20 AM
Grab the wood before someone flogs it. Then decide whjat to do with it as you may of wanted it but you were too late. But I would have it sit in seering hot water for a week or so. 50% water changes every day. And test the water to see what effect it has.
PEVINE11
08-24-2007, 3:06 PM
boil it to ternmate any bactria or anything on it then let it sit? thats the route i'd do . . . . .
Lil_Stinker
08-24-2007, 3:41 PM
I have just recently found the most amazing root system off of a tree in my neighborhood that got up rooted for one reason or another. But it is a birch tree root system. Does any one know if Birch is a good wood to be used in aquariums??
Birch is bad...
Rots fast, shreds causing all sorts of issues... (think filter & clog)
People have told me it is also very susceptible to diseases, which may be why it got up-rooted...
:eek:
MCHRKiller
08-24-2007, 4:39 PM
I have a very large piece of grapevine in my 75G tank and its been sucessfully and safetly sunken for well over a year. Never had a problem ore issue with it other than tanins...which my SA fish always enjoy anyway :)
jerrym
08-24-2007, 5:50 PM
Can you really boil the wood?
donaldastwood
08-27-2007, 8:20 AM
Thank you all so so much for the advice. I am still not sure what to do. Because of the guy saying that they are suceptible to fungus etc. But i think that i will soak it in hot water for a few weeks and see what it does to the water chemistry. My wife wont be too impresed with something else soaking in the corner...but its worth it...
donaldastwood
08-27-2007, 8:22 AM
Birch is bad...
Rots fast, shreds causing all sorts of issues... (think filter & clog)
People have told me it is also very susceptible to diseases, which may be why it got up-rooted...
:eek:
Not such a problem here because it was uprooted close to someones house because a part of their waterproofing had failed... so the roots had to come up.
But does it really rot and shed as much as you say?
dr_sudz
08-27-2007, 8:28 AM
Birch is a hard wood. It shouldn't rot to quick if at all. I would wash it really well and maybe even sand blast it a bit if you have access to a sand blaster, boil and soak to insure its good and clean then see. I think it should be alright. Its closely related to oak and beech trees.
tksniff062
08-27-2007, 8:59 AM
:iagree:
Birch is hard wood, it should work out well for you as long as you prepare it properly.
Lil_Stinker
08-27-2007, 2:23 PM
Let me lnow how the birch works, I had a white birch I pulled out, let it sit through the winter & it fell appart like pulled pork the next year..
schaadrak
08-27-2007, 3:16 PM
Here is an excerpt about using birch wood as a perch for birds:
"Birch is Betula species. LEAVES & BARK contain salicylates and a few substances with hemolytic properties (destroy red blood cells). The low concentration of salicylates in birch BARK "is unlikely" to cause toxicity in avians. Salicylates can be provided to avians (birds) as an analgesic. WOOD of birch (Betula) is used for ice cream and popsicle sticks and toys. Removing bark would eliminate any exposure to salicylates. Birch should be considered safe for natural wood perches."
So basically make sure you get the bark off and it should be safe.
maseyferguson05
08-27-2007, 4:05 PM
Driftwood is driftwood! Not a peice of wood you find in your neighbors yard and let it soak. It takes a long time for a piece of wood to become driftwood, certainly well over a few seasons.
tiersmoke92555
08-29-2007, 7:42 PM
what size is this root ball?