Best natural wood for decor?

[Slippery K]

Hey everyone, 2 quick questions. I want to add some tree branches or something into one of my tanks for a kind of mangrove effect, NOT driftwood as I have some already. So heres the questions.

1. What type of wood is safe for aquariums? Is there one kind better than others or roughly the same?
2. Should I gather live branches straight from the tree, or old dead dried out sticks from a forest or something?

Thanks in advance for any/all comments.

 

[cali~budfish]

I've only used manzanita branches and it'd be a good choice if you want the mangrove look. I drove along the freeway till I saw manzanita trees and pulled down a side street hacked off a couple branches and Bob's your uncle. I'd strip the red outer layer off if you go the manzanita route. Sand blast or water blast.

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[Slippery K]

I've only used manzanita branches and it'd be a good choice if you want the mangrove look. I drove along the freeway till I saw manzanita trees and pulled down a side street hacked off a couple branches and Bob's your uncle. I'd strip the red outer layer off if you go the manzanita route. Sand blast or water blast.

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Im in Ontario, I dont think manzanita tress grow here. At least iv never heard of one or even know what it looks like. I was thinking along the lines of a nice branchy/curvy/twiggy Maple Tree branch or something.

 

[cali~budfish]

Maple might be good cuz it's a hardwood. Manzanita might be a chalenge given your location. I would think any branches from a hardwood tree wood work. Clean them and probably remove the bark.

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[bassguy]

Im in Ontario, I dont think manzanita tress grow here. At least iv never heard of one or even know what it looks like. I was thinking along the lines of a nice branchy/curvy/twiggy Maple Tree branch or something.

You can buy manzanita in the MFK market place.

 

[altumz]

u can use lots of natural wood u find in the forrest near you. just make sure its super dry cure and soak it and treat it before putting it in your tank. manzanita and malaysian are other known aquarium woods but they can be pricey. take a hike in the woods and find some yourself...its free.

 

[Slippery K]

u can use lots of natural wood u find in the forrest near you. just make sure its super dry cure and soak it and treat it before putting it in your tank. manzanita and malaysian are other known aquarium woods but they can be pricey. take a hike in the woods and find some yourself...its free.

Yea, I refuse to buy wood when I can just walk through the woods and gather things for free. How would I go about curing it and treating it? Soak it in a big rubbermaid for a week with daily waterchange?