Sorry ladies not THAT wood lol im wondering if anyone knows if its possible to use just any wood in my tanks found in the forest if i clean and treat it properly?
Need help with wood....
- Thread starter CatchemAll
- Start date
Ime experience most are no problem. Good idea to boil, soak well in very hot water, or heat in a safe way to kill possible organisms. I boil if possible or soak in very hot water until tannin release slows down. Some species, like rhododendron, which can be twisty and gnarly and look nice, may have toxins, another reason to soak well if you don't know what you have. I actually have a piece of rhododendron in one tank as a cave for a pleco (L128, not a wood eating species), but it's been soaked and aged and sealed with lacquer.
Years ago, before I learned to soak wood first, I bought what was labeled as Malaysian driftwood from a lfs that released heavy tannins in my tank and killed off half the fish before I got it out of there. I assumed it was aquarium safe since it was labeled that way, but it wasn't. I'd never had an issue with lfs driftwood before that.
Now all the wood in my tanks is stuff I collect myself and I haven't had any problems with it. I'm just careful to treat it first-- as you mentioned and as i described. Even after treatment, ime some types will get a whitish film on it in the tank at first, which has been harmless ime and goes away after some days.
Years ago, before I learned to soak wood first, I bought what was labeled as Malaysian driftwood from a lfs that released heavy tannins in my tank and killed off half the fish before I got it out of there. I assumed it was aquarium safe since it was labeled that way, but it wasn't. I'd never had an issue with lfs driftwood before that.
Now all the wood in my tanks is stuff I collect myself and I haven't had any problems with it. I'm just careful to treat it first-- as you mentioned and as i described. Even after treatment, ime some types will get a whitish film on it in the tank at first, which has been harmless ime and goes away after some days.
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I use wood from my grove.
I stay away from sappy trees. Pine being the main one. I like using dried tree roots. They hold up better then branches do ime.
But since I have so much wood at my disposal even branches that only last a year are worth the temporary use.
And as other said, boiling or soaking is great to do if the wood fits into something.
I stay away from sappy trees. Pine being the main one. I like using dried tree roots. They hold up better then branches do ime.
But since I have so much wood at my disposal even branches that only last a year are worth the temporary use.
And as other said, boiling or soaking is great to do if the wood fits into something.
Need help with wood....
Try Viagra.
On a serious note, I usually soak wood that I find in a bleach solution for two days (adding new bleach on second day). Then I rinse it in clean water. Never had a problem using wood that way.
No, bleach dissipates quickly. That is why you add fresh bleach the second day. Rinsing it removes almost all of it.
Most of your hard woods like maple, oak etc are ok for use in tanks. Its the soft woods that tend to not be aquarium safe. Just make sure its has naturally dried first, then like others have mentioned rinse/boil before use.
Tip: check second hand stores for big old pots to boil these in so you don't run your good ones.
Tip: check second hand stores for big old pots to boil these in so you don't run your good ones.