using a recent tank of the month tank as my inspiration, if i took a tree stmp from a stream bank would it be safe to use in my tank and how do i prepare it?
harvesting driftwood
- Thread starter jworth
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Pour boiling water on it, soak it as much as possible. Try to let it dry out.
With just cleaning it off, It has been hit or miss with my luck. Sometimes it works great with no problems, sometimes it releases tannis into the water everywhere and the tank turns brown.
I would try to boil it and soak it first.
With just cleaning it off, It has been hit or miss with my luck. Sometimes it works great with no problems, sometimes it releases tannis into the water everywhere and the tank turns brown.
I would try to boil it and soak it first.
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First thing first I think you should be able to id what kind of wood it is and if its safe.
My story: I purchased a large piece of driftwood ($30) from what I think is a reasonable lfs. Took it home soaked it for 2 weeks and then pressure washed it then soaked in hot water. Added it to my tank and I got a tant woody smell then my water started to turn a chocky, gritty light green color. The guy from the lfs told it would be alright but once my fish came to the top gasping for air I immediatly removed it. I had this same piece sit in water for 2 months and again tried to find a place in it and again had the same results. from that I tossed it out into a open field to stay.
Later I question the guy at the lfs and he told me the wood was from a grape vine. and there shouldn't have been any problems.
My story: I purchased a large piece of driftwood ($30) from what I think is a reasonable lfs. Took it home soaked it for 2 weeks and then pressure washed it then soaked in hot water. Added it to my tank and I got a tant woody smell then my water started to turn a chocky, gritty light green color. The guy from the lfs told it would be alright but once my fish came to the top gasping for air I immediatly removed it. I had this same piece sit in water for 2 months and again tried to find a place in it and again had the same results. from that I tossed it out into a open field to stay.
Later I question the guy at the lfs and he told me the wood was from a grape vine. and there shouldn't have been any problems.
The mopani I got from my LSF said to soak until water stays clear...Well after 5 months of tannin stained water it's in the garden...tannins are bad just not the look I was going for...dominicolas;2325107; said:
What kinds of wood are toxic and shouldn't be used. Pine and cedar are two but can they be soaked and boiled until safe?
If you go collecting wood for your tank its best to get ones that are from the water and submerged that way they have already been preserved by the water itself and most of the tannins already leached out. Just give them a good scrubbing and power wash (NO detergent!) and make sure they aren't rotting already or you'll end up with a horrible mess in your tank.. that is if they even make it past the scrubbing and power wash.
Oooops...that should read Tannins are NOT bad just not the look I was going for...H]-[H;2325223; said:
Actually you do not want driftwood, you want bogwood...
Driftwood has been in saltwater, drifting, and Bogwood is from a bog or freshwater...