Driftwood from creek or lake

[Zander_The_RBP]

Keep in mind also that "cedar" refers to several rather different conifers. I have used weathered eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) wood in my tanks with no issues. I have heard that Atlantic white cedar (Chaemaecyparis thyoides) is also tank-safe. I don't know about Thuja species (western red cedar, northern white cedar, arbor vitae) or Cedrus species (old world cedars).

currently i have a peice of northern white cedar in my tank and it's been in their for over a year no deaths to report of. also have white pine driftwood in there as well.

They do break down(biologically) with time. Any wood that's going in your tank should always be driftwood and not some tree you just cut down. If it's driftwood all saps will be long gone.

 

[kamikaziechameleon]

Last time I did this I plucked the wood from a preserve, power washed it, bleached it, backed it and boiled it. Then len let it sit for a bit. At this point the wood was safe for all my terrariums and aquariums. Haven't done it in years though still using many of those woods. And yes lookout for toxic softwoods, Cedar especially.

 

[SCGeordie]

I use oak 'trimmings' that were cut in my yard last summer, removed the bark, sanded it down to get the weathered look of driftwood, then soaked in boiling water for a week changing the water every day.
Looks great in the tank and there is very little tanin from it, fish love it, especially my Otto's now that algae has started to grow on it.