How to insure driftwood is safe to use?

[mcjlance]

I was recently hiking in the woods and came across a very nice piece of wood in a creek. It is very clean (smooth no bark), waterlogged and heavy. I was going to boil it ( big piece so I'd have to boil one end at a time in a big pot) and test it in a tank with a couple of goldfish to see if their was any negative effects before I put it in one of my large tanks with fish I care about.

My question is. Are their certain types of common wood that would naturally be toxic, and what is the best way to go about this or what is the level of risk to my fish? Is this just the kind of thing I know is a mistake but am to in love with the piece?

 

[mcjlance]

hmm

 

[Fishermoe14]

i think that any wood that naturally leaks resin isn't gonna be good to put in your tank..

 

[greenearthlawns]

Do you have a pic to post so that mabye someone would know if it is a toxic type or not, I guess you'll find out with the goldfish anyhow~ I would like to see the piece you found though...

 

[micstarz]

Test it with feeder guppies.

 

[McFluffrichromis]

X2 feeder fish. It may brown your water for a while. Soak the wood for a week or two then put in tank with feeders.

 

[arherp]

Test it in a tank with feeder guppies or other cheap fish.

 

[Finalfire9]

Just put it in your tank you pansy

 

[Knowdafish]

Burn it! That will leave it COMPLETELY safe!

 

[jphillips2020]

Just boil it. If its to big just boil up water and pour it over serveral times. I have 3 pieces of drift in my tank that I found by the river never had a problem. Course the rivers around my place the water is just warm enough not to freeze so I think the chance of bad things living on it are atleast reduced.