Are screws safe to use in aquarium?

[itiwhetu]

If you only put aged hardwood driftwood in your tanks it will last two life times. There has been a trend over the years to just put any wood in your tanks, this is not always a good thing.

 

[Fishmanic]

dont boil it very long before putting it your tank..or avoid boiling it at all

 

[PheonixKingZ]

You pay $15 for a screw(s)? Do you make an appointment or do they just see you coming?
(I crack myself up!)

Usually they are free. Sometimes I deserve them, whilst over times I don’t.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Stop shopping at Walmart

Seriously though, I used stainless screws to build a deck 11yrs ago, still shiny like new.

I used Walmart as an example because it’s better known around the world, than say Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace. My dad gets all of his screws from Lowes.

 

[Colin_T]

I'm quite scared of screws cracking wood, so I used zip ties instead.

Also does anyone know how to preserve aquarium wood for a long time? Most driftwoods that I bought only lived for a year.

If you drill a small hole through the wood first, the screws will be less likely to crack the wood. eg: if the screw is 3mm diameter, drill a 2mm hole.

don't boil driftwood.
use thicker wood.
I had driftwood that lasted 20+ years. I never boiled it and just hosed it off a couple of times a year.