Is there a list somewhere of what types of wood can put in an aquarium? Is there ways to be able to put it into an aquarium. I have a lot of hickory that has been outside for approximately two years and I was wondering if I could work with and put in into my tanks? Bake it? Soak it?? Any help would be appreciated.
What types of wood can put in an aquarium?
- Thread starter ammerman19
- Start date
cedar is about the only wood that i've heard that can release toxins into the water .I've read a few posts where hickory was used without problems but i'm no expert i always use store bought or driftwood thats been sun bleached.
as with anything you add from the outdoors it needs to be sterlized ,wood is no exception .. baking on low for a couple hours works well for large peices and i like to boil small peices gets some of the tannins out at the same time if needed.
as with anything you add from the outdoors it needs to be sterlized ,wood is no exception .. baking on low for a couple hours works well for large peices and i like to boil small peices gets some of the tannins out at the same time if needed.
Look out, some varieties of Hickory make a syrup (I think it's mainly in the bark though) that could be a real mess. It shouldn't be toxic to the fish, but I don't guess it would be easy to breathe or clean up. I'd try it anyway though, boil the crap out of it if you can fit it in a big pot and then see if the water is syrupy, if it was ever going to be, the heat would help bring it out. If it's too big to boil I'd soak it in scalding water then bake it and soak it again, same deal, heat should alert you if it's a syrupy/sappy hickory.
Let us know
I've never seen a list, but so far I've used Oak, Grapewood and Cyprus with no issues. I have some magnolia I was thinking of trying too.
Let us know
I've never seen a list, but so far I've used Oak, Grapewood and Cyprus with no issues. I have some magnolia I was thinking of trying too.
I put a log in my tank, first night it turned the water almost black.. it took about two months of weekly water changes til the water started staying clear... DE helps too.
I'm not an authority on which native wood types are better than others but in my opinion you should mostly avoid the soft/sappy types. Walnut is especially not good since it can excrete a toxin called juglone.
Most oaks seem to be alright. Maples not so great. <Soft & sappy!
Some of the wood in my tanks were just snagged from local waters and I don't know what they are! I haven't had any probs from the mystery pieces so my inclination is to be less afraid of the wood type than whether or not it's dead and dry before putting in a tank.
Most oaks seem to be alright. Maples not so great. <Soft & sappy!
Some of the wood in my tanks were just snagged from local waters and I don't know what they are! I haven't had any probs from the mystery pieces so my inclination is to be less afraid of the wood type than whether or not it's dead and dry before putting in a tank.
Thanks guys. I'starting to think it'll be okay. It's not green at all been cut down for two years. And it is a very hard wood. I'll let everyone know how it goes 
loach43;748597; said:
if the wood is not dry...., what could happen....., I am currently using a piece of rhododendron in my tank......, its been cut down for a while now...., and it seems as though it is dry...... I've been having a problem with the ammonia and nitrates staying real high in my new uncycled tank (10 days) Does anyone think that this could be the probem....., because maybe its not completly dry......, does this normally affect these water perimiters...?? thanks to anyone with some help....
Typically I just boil found pieces of wood for 30 minutes in a lobster pot. If you want to dry the wood out, you can put it in the oven. Just make sure the temp doesn't get too high or it will burn. If your still feeling unsure about the safety of your fish you might want to use some danios or some kind of guinea pig fish to test the water before you put your prize specimens in there, especially if your nitrates are high. Personally I would wait until the beneficial bacteria scene comes of age before you add wood.
Could'nt you "cure" the wood in a tub outside for a couple of months? Changing the water every weekor so, testing the water until nothing shows up.