Driftwood Advice Please

[GoldFinger]

Bought a bunch of ghostwood and grape wood but having second thoughts on mixed reviews online. Sounds like grape wood especially tots and has white fungus for a period.
I really want to use Either of these types but not at the expense of the tank. It is sandblasted and marketed as aquarium safe from blooms and branches. I would pre soak for a month and boil out the tannins etc.

What type of wood do you guys use with great success?

 

[tlindsey]

Bought a bunch of ghostwood and grape wood but having second thoughts on mixed reviews online. Sounds like grape wood especially tots and has white fungus for a period.
I really want to use Either of these types but not at the expense of the tank. It is sandblasted and marketed as aquarium safe from blooms and branches. I would pre soak for a month and boil out the tannins etc.

What type of wood do you guys use with great success?

I've been using wood from Oak tree's branches the latest a small stump without issues but I want the tannins.

 

[twentyleagues]

I'd say most wood will do those things until seasoned. After you boil the tanins out of it if you have a sump that will hold it I'd put it there for a couple months. Even though it's cleaned and boiled bacteria still seam to find something good on it and heavily colonize it. Same goes for any algae. But once you get past it it seams fine.

 

[twentyleagues]

I've been using wood from Oak tree's branches the latest a small stump without issues but I want the tannins.

I've been using leaves for mulch around my yard for a couple years now just ones from the surrounding maples. I have been told by others to not use oak leaves as they have a well honestly for lack of better terminology anti plant growth properties. I'd guess the branches and roots could too. Don' know if that posses any threat to fish or not but may impede algae and any plant growth in the tank.

 

[tlindsey]

I've been using leaves for mulch around my yard for a couple years now just ones from the surrounding maples. I have been told by others to not use oak leaves as they have a well honestly for lack of better terminology anti plant growth properties. I'd guess the branches and roots could too. Don' know if that posses any threat to fish or not but may impede algae and any plant growth in the tank.

I have a 55 that has had a couple of oak branches in it for a few yrs now and I do get some algae on the back glass also had a small Anubias plant thrive as well.

 

[GoldFinger]

Thanks guys I am currently searching for alternatives online.

 

[twentyleagues]

I have a 55 that has had a couple of oak branches in it for a few yrs now and I do get some algae on the back glass also had a small Anubias plant thrive as well.

That's good I have no idea as to the validity or to the extent of the claims. I have read multiple articles about composting and mulch making oak leaves are always at the top of the don't use list.