WC Driftwood

[abarilot]

The other day I was at Lake Cachuma (near Santa Barbara, CA) and I found some interesting pieces of driftwood. Does anyone know what kind of tree these branches came from? Also are they aquarium safe? If not can I make them aquarium safe? They looked pretty weather worn but just though I'd ask. Usually I buy driftwood from the store but it is SO expensive and I'm just trying to save myself some money! Any knowledgeable answers are greatly appreciated!

 

[prober]

You can boil them if they will fit in a pot but those look too large for that. If you have a pressure washer you can get the loose stuff off the outside. Soak them in a big tub with some bleach solution then let them air dry for a couple weeks and you should be good. One last soak in some dechlorinator and water should make them safe.

 

[bigbadfish711]

You can boil the wood if the wood is to big to boil then use a larger trash can or rubbermaid tote and fill with hot water and let the wood soak. Changing the water every day for about a week just to be safe. The hot water will also help to water log the wood. If the wood is not completely water logged by the time you go to put in to your tank then you can just weight it down with a rock or screw a piece of slate to the bottom of the wood and place under the substrate.

 

[nautilus]

Option is to power wash to remove loose debris, soak to remove any poisons that may have seeped in then the bake the wood to kill any critters still alive but be aware this will dry it out so you will now need to soak it again. I am told boiling it may make it deteriorate faster later in the aquarium as the wood fibres will swell.

 

[Nighttouch]

No point in soaking, drying and then soaking again.
Put in a tub and pour boiling water over it to kill insects, etc. If you have a stock tank, trash can (new) or trough, you can soak the wood in it changing the water every couple of days to water log, or as stated above, you can weigh it down with a rock or slate tile.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Best would be to pour boiling water over it to kill any insects or parasites that might be on it.

PS, I laughed when you used the term "Wild Caught" on a driftwood

 

[abarilot]

Well looks like the consensus is to pour boilig water over the pieces and soak them. Luckily I'm already soaking them so that part is done. If anyone else has a different suggestion lemme know! Thanks!

Btw spiritofthesoul I'm glad the title entertained at least one person!

 

[dannieman]

toss em all in the jacuzzi for awhile lol