What woods Work in Fish Tanks

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donaldastwood

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 10, 2007
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New York
I have just recently found the most amazing root system off of a tree in my neighborhood that got up rooted for one reason or another. But it is a birch tree root system. Does any one know if Birch is a good wood to be used in aquariums??
 
from what I have heard it isnt. the best is dead dried out hardwood...
 
idk if birch is one of those woods thats bad to use or not but if you want it just let it sit for awhile in ur yard or somthing then soak it in a bin.
 
the only wood that i have been told is not good to use is pine and cedar.try soaking it and see if it leaches and if it does keep changing the water until it stays clear.you also might want to test water to see what effect it has on your ph.
 
Don't use any wood from evergreen trees. The sap and resin doesn't dry completely and will rot. (and I've heard that it's not that good for your fish either)

Same thing with grapevine. Grapevine is pretty nice in reptile setups, but not aquarium safe.

The wood doesn't need to be dry, but dry wood is better because it has less tannins. Boil the wood over and over again until the water is close to clear. The wood will still leech a little tannin into your water, but the fish don't mind as long as you don't have hardwater fish like african cichlids.
 
Grab the wood before someone flogs it. Then decide whjat to do with it as you may of wanted it but you were too late. But I would have it sit in seering hot water for a week or so. 50% water changes every day. And test the water to see what effect it has.
 
boil it to ternmate any bactria or anything on it then let it sit? thats the route i'd do . . . . .
 
donaldastwood;1081129; said:
I have just recently found the most amazing root system off of a tree in my neighborhood that got up rooted for one reason or another. But it is a birch tree root system. Does any one know if Birch is a good wood to be used in aquariums??

Birch is bad...

Rots fast, shreds causing all sorts of issues... (think filter & clog)

People have told me it is also very susceptible to diseases, which may be why it got up-rooted...

:eek:
 
I have a very large piece of grapevine in my 75G tank and its been sucessfully and safetly sunken for well over a year. Never had a problem ore issue with it other than tanins...which my SA fish always enjoy anyway :)
 
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