Root as Driftwood?

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LBathory

LBathory

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Mar 25, 2008
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New Jersey
I found a beautiful piece of root that I want to use as driftwood. It came from a site near my house that is currently being renovated. My plan of attack is to first clip all small roots and fibers off of it, cut it down to the size I want, use a power washer on it, then soak it for two weeks. After that, I am hoping it will be tank ready. The thing is REALLLY heavy so I don't see floating being a problem. Does anyone have any other advice to give? I am a bit hesitant cause it has been underground all of it's "life" and I don't know what kind of effect that will have on my chemistry.
Thanks!

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LBathory;2014956; said:
I found a beautiful piece of root that I want to use as driftwood. It came from a site near my house that is currently being renovated. My plan of attack is to first clip all small roots and fibers off of it, cut it down to the size I want, use a power washer on it, then soak it for two weeks. After that, I am hoping it will be tank ready. The thing is REALLLY heavy so I don't see floating being a problem. Does anyone have any other advice to give? I am a bit hesitant cause it has been underground all of it's "life" and I don't know what kind of effect that will have on my chemistry.
Thanks!
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I've never used roots before, but i have used pieces of wood i've found near lakes and rivers. If you can you might want to boil it for a few hours....it'll get most of the tanin (yucky stuff that turns you tank water into tea) out. Do it repeatedly.
 
I think allot will depend on the area you live in.

If you live in Seattle next to old factory that anything from the ground is probably toxic.

If you live out in the country far away from everything, I would think wood in the ground would be less toxic.

I would soak in bleach for a few day, then rinse and soak with plain water for a couple more days. Then boil the wood in water as long as you can and see how clear the water is to see if any steps need to be repeated.
Soak for 2 days in clean water to see if anything has leached out of the wood.
Not sure if there is a better way but it sounds good :D

I will be removing all my Juniper bushes from my back yard and I know I am going to be having lots of amazing wood pieces, but I'm not sure how fish safe they will be or if they will rot in the water?
 
Do you know what kind of tree or bush it came from. All firs and pines should be avoided (sorry, Jag, juniper included) since their sap contains toxins that take much longer than two weeks to be removed. You should also try to use hardwoods since they're the least prone to rotting.
 
schaadrak;2016817;2016817 said:
Do you know what kind of tree or bush it came from. All firs and pines should be avoided (sorry, Jag, juniper included) since their sap contains toxins that take much longer than two weeks to be removed. You should also try to use hardwoods since they're the least prone to rotting.
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They aren't less prone to rotting, but just take longer to rot.
 
WyldFya;2018992; said:
They aren't less prone to rotting, but just take longer to rot.
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Right. I actually meant to type "rotting quickly," but I seem to have left off the qualifier.
 
Boondoggle;2021105; said:
Would it be possible to allow the wood to dry, then seal it in Epoxy Resin (fish safe resin)?
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Thats an interesting idea. I never thought of that. thoughts anyone?
 
Boondoggle;2021105;2021105 said:
Would it be possible to allow the wood to dry, then seal it in Epoxy Resin (fish safe resin)?
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It won't stay down, as the dry wood will have air in it, and when you seal it, you will seal all the air in.
 
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