Driftwood advice

[Artt]

In the area I live we have huge spotted gum trees along the river about a 500 metre walk from my place.

I'm curious about using some branches and sticks I collected along there in my cichlid tank.

The tree is hardwood and these are very aged, dried out branches.

I have used other natives successfully in the past but I can't find any online resources that say if this wood would be safe to use in my aquarium.

Is there a good way to test the safety of them without risking my fish?

 

[tlindsey]

In the area I live we have huge spotted gum trees along the river about a 500 metre walk from my place.

I'm curious about using some branches and sticks I collected along there in my cichlid tank.

The tree is hardwood and these are very aged, dried out branches.

I have used other natives successfully in the past but I can't find any online resources that say if this wood would be safe to use in my aquarium.

Is there a good way to test the safety of them without risking my fish?

Tbh I only have used dried dead wood from Oak trees. This may helphttps://www.ratemyfishtank.com/phpBB3/topic3859.html

 

[Giant Val]

I have used aged eucalypt roots and branches in my tanks for many years with no problems other than lots of tannins which can be filtered out with carbon, Macropore, etc.

 

[Artt]

I have used aged eucalypt roots and branches in my tanks for many years with no problems other than lots of tannins which can be filtered out with carbon, Macropore, etc.

I currently have coastal tea tree in my tank with no issues. Although I have heard that it can be harmful to labyrinth fish.

I was unaware you could use eucalyptus, I have a friend who's properly I can collect that off and I know they don't spray it with any pesticides....I might have to go for a visit

 

[Ogertron3000]

I currently have coastal tea tree in my tank with no issues. Although I have heard that it can be harmful to labyrinth fish.

I was unaware you could use eucalyptus, I have a friend who's properly I can collect that off and I know they don't spray it with any pesticides....I might have to go for a visit

I'm just about to set up a tank with eucalypt as lit's easy to get.here. I would prefer oak or something but eucalypt is everywhere and lots of it has been dead for a very long time, I'd only go for the really old dried stuff myself just to be extra safe.Like G Giant Val said expect tannins, a good long soak before you add it should help.
Us aussies get shafted on the price of wood in the LFS here, I'm also going to hunt around some beaches to see what I can find but not paying ridiculous retail prices.

 

[Artt]

I'm just about to set up a tank with eucalypt as lit's easy to get.here. I would prefer oak or something but eucalypt is everywhere and lots of it has been dead for a very long time, I'd only go for the really old dried stuff myself just to be extra safe.Like G Giant Val said expect tannins, a good long soak before you add it should help.
Us aussies get shafted on the price of wood in the LFS here, I'm also going to hunt around some beaches to see what I can find but not paying ridiculous retail prices.

Not sure which part of oz you are in but definitely try and find some coastal tea tree, it looks kinda dull and grey dry but in the tank it looks really good. You can easily dig up really nice roots pieces too along the dunes. Or look out for burn piles cleaned up by local councils if you don't want to take a saw and shovel along with you.

We really do get shafted on the LFS prices here.

 

[Ogertron3000]

Not sure which part of oz you are in but definitely try and find some coastal tea tree, it looks kinda dull and grey dry but in the tank it looks really good. You can easily dig up really nice roots pieces too along the dunes. Or look out for burn piles cleaned up by local councils if you don't want to take a saw and shovel along with you.

We really do get shafted on the LFS prices here.

I'm in melbourne, I might look into the tea tree actually, the wind can twist them into some interesting shapes. I always thought the oil may be harmful to fish. I'm into natural tanks at the moment so the grey colour might be better for what I have in mind. It grows everywhere along the coast here so should be easy to get my hands on some.

 

[Artt]

I'm in melbourne, I might look into the tea tree actually, the wind can twist them into some interesting shapes. I always thought the oil may be harmful to fish. I'm into natural tanks at the moment so the grey colour might be better for what I have in mind. It grows everywhere along the coast here so should be easy to get my hands on some.

I'm also from Melbourne. If you are keen for a drive the 90 mile beach is a good place to find it. Although I'm sure there are other places you could collect it from.

Provided you collect the really old dry stuff, you shouldn't have any issues with it leeching oils. I found my really aged bits also didn't discolour the water with tannins which was nice.