Acacia tree (Rain tree / Cow Tamarind) - as driftwood?

[TonyG]

I was able to find a freshly cut acacia branch last 3 weeks ago. I bleached it under the sun for 4 days without its bark then submerged it in water for 2 weeks. Can I use acacia wood as driftwood for my aquarium?

 

[JuiceBox52]

@Byron

 

[Byron]

Acacia is a tropical hardwood tree species. I have no idea if it may contain toxins naturally.

However, in general--wood used in the aquarium must be thoroughly dry and dead, so it must never be cut from the living tree but collected as dead wood. It has to be completely dry throughout. Once it is, it can then be water-logged for the aquarium. Another risk is that wood readily absorbs liquids it comes into contact with, and this may take months if not years to leech out. If you can collect the wood from a known safe place, and assuming it is a safe wood to begin with (like oak or beech is), it should be safe.

 

[TonyG]

Thank you so much Byron ! I will look for dead acacia woods then.