So today I went out and found some wood for my 125 gallon tank I'll be picking up tomorrow. My question is; How do y'all recommend treating it? I've heard scrub with warm water and soap. Boil it (hard because of size). Also heard today, put it in the oven (again, hard because of size). Anyways, just looking for y'all's recommendations. Here's a photo with flip flop for size reference.
How to treat wood?
- Thread starter Buphy
- Start date
I pressure-wash seasoned driftwood to remove all bark and surface junk. I then soak it in water with bleach to kill all the nasties (I use a covered kiddie pool to soak large pieces outdoors. Then, the wood is air-dried in the sun until fully dry. Then, resoak in kiddie pools until the wood sinks before placing the wood in tanks.
I don't like boiling or baking wood since this causes the pieces to deteriorate more quickly in aquariums. I also prefer using hardwood species since these can last years longer than softwood species. However, if using the wood for grinding plecos it really doesn't matter to worry about the wood lasting since it's for the fish to chew down.
I don't like boiling or baking wood since this causes the pieces to deteriorate more quickly in aquariums. I also prefer using hardwood species since these can last years longer than softwood species. However, if using the wood for grinding plecos it really doesn't matter to worry about the wood lasting since it's for the fish to chew down.
Sounds like you've done it a few times =P questions! What ratio do you use for the bleach water solution? Also, how long does it take the wood to get heavy and sink? Thanks for the response!
You can achieve a fairly good job by spraying wood with a bleach/water solution and sun curing it. After a week of daily spraying, rinse the pieces in the shower and let them sun dry again. If you find any soft spots, core them out (they'll just rot in your tank) with a knife.
You'll have to settle on letting the pieces sink in your tank. This could take a while and it detracts from the look of the tank until they sink.
You'll have to settle on letting the pieces sink in your tank. This could take a while and it detracts from the look of the tank until they sink.
Oddball
or anyone else. Got wood in my tank and started cycling and was talking to some one at my LFS and he was saying since I didn't soak in "treated" water after the bleach water solution that it was super risking and he's take it out and do that, and re drain and re fill the tank. Any weight in what he said? He took back an 8" Oscar and sold her 2 more for a 50 gallon tank before helping me so hit to his credibility... Though she said she had a 110 to upgrade them to later on but only after he was netting the 2 new ones... Refresh, I soaked, power washed, bleach water solution soaked, power wash and soaked again, with drying between.