so basically just make sure its the right type of wood and sterilize it well?Any wood used has to be hardwood. Softwood can be deadly to fish as it has a natural form of antifreeze. Also it should be solidly dry. When you bend it it should feel like it's going to snap in two, not just easily bend.
I have acquired rocks from local rivers and used in tanks. I did boil them in a big pot I got from Salvation Army just to boil rocks in.
this is really what i wanted to hear. i have access to some very nice woods and plants. but i wasnt sure if it was even plausible to get them aquarium ready. is there any tricks to quarantining plants? or just wait the couple weeks? any treatments?I have collected free range rocks and wood for use in my tanks here in the Pacific Northwest. I have also collected V americana from one of the local lakes.
I don’t sterilize terrestrial items but I do remove dirt and moss. Wood should be debarked before use as well. I collected madrona, oak, alder, maple and apple.
With plants collected from any outside water source should be quarantined. I left the vals in a bucket for about two weeks iirc which is the life cycle of most parasites. View attachment 1515791View attachment 1515796
You can do a meth blue, paraguard or salt water dip. Those will kill most hitchhikers. I don’t like doing chemical baths on plants so the two week or more quarantine works for me.this is really what i wanted to hear. i have access to some very nice woods and plants. but i wasnt sure if it was even plausible to get them aquarium ready. is there any tricks to quarantining plants? or just wait the couple weeks? any treatments?