Added tree roots

[johnnymax]

I stopped by a job site where they had bulldozed down some trees. I sawed off some roots and power washed off the skin. I put them in my tilapia tank. They are behaving different since adding the roots. They seem... happy or relaxed or something. Anyway, I feel it was a good decision.

 

[Dee eng]

Nice! It looks very natural. Great decision.

 

[Jexnell]

Have to ask, do you know if it's hard or softwood. Softwood typically can't be used as it's natural "antifreeze" can get to poisonous levels in a confined tank environment.

 

[johnnymax]

Have to ask, do you know if it's hard or softwood. Softwood typically can't be used as it's natural "antifreeze" can get to poisonous levels in a confined tank environment.

Oak

 

[jjohnwm]

I unhesitatingly use wood and roots from trees which have been drying and weathering in the elements for at least a year or preferably much longer, and have never had a problem. But, if these are fresh "green" roots with all the sap and recently-living tissue intact, I personally wouldn't use them in an aquarium until I had left them outside for at least a year or so. Not that I have had a problem as I have never done it, just makes me a bit nervous.

That's a good-looking piece of wood, well positioned like that. Good luck!

 

[johnnymax]

I unhesitatingly use wood and roots from trees which have been drying and weathering in the elements for at least a year or preferably much longer, and have never had a problem. But, if these are fresh "green" roots with all the sap and recently-living tissue intact, I personally wouldn't use them in an aquarium until I had left them outside for at least a year or so. Not that I have had a problem as I have never done it, just makes me a bit nervous.

That's a good-looking piece of wood, well positioned like that. Good luck!

They have been out in the field for over 6 months. I am not worried about sap, they were dry and in the sun.

 

[johnnymax]

I am growing out a plecostomus to put in there once he get a little bigger. The wood will be good for him.

 

[Randys]

I went out in the woods behind my house, pushed over some standing dead trees, power washed , soak them for a couple of weeks, screwed them to slate, and put them in the tank. Not sure what kind of wood it is but they've been in the tank for almost two years.

 

[rvadog]

I went out in the woods behind my house, pushed over some standing dead trees, power washed , soak them for a couple of weeks, screwed them to slate, and put them in the tank. Not sure what kind of wood it is but they've been in the tank for almost two years.

That's gorgeous - what is the tank size?

 

[Randys]

Thanks bud. It's an eight foot 300 gallon I had built by Chris at Midwest Custom.
That's an old picture. Maybe I'll get a new one tonight.