Can I use this wood in my aquarium

[Benji k]

So I went to the river today and got some wood can I use it in my bristlenose pleco tank I’m soaking it now and I’m gonna boil it in the morning

 

[TNG]

I'd use driftwood, but wouldn't want to use what you've got there. Is it some kind of eucalyptus?

 

[Benji k]

I'd use driftwood, but wouldn't want to use what you've got there. Is it some kind of eucalyptus?

It’s just some wood I found in the river not sure what type but it dosent look like eucalyptus tree branch but idk. To me it looks like the wood I already have in my tank from the fish store

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Using found wood is always a risk, but with some precautions it is usually OK. Not always, but usually. First thing: Does it have bark on it? If it does, I wouldn't use it. With most trees, any toxins will be concentrated in the bark and leaves. Even with harmless trees, you want wood that has been dead a long time. Second, what species of trees are in your area? Sounds like eucalyptus are common. (I'm a little rusty on my eastern Australia flora) Around here most of the deciduous trees are fine (aspen, poplar, alder, ash) once they've lost their bark. I've had good luck with old juniper branches too. Some will say juniper is toxic, but my fish don't seem to have read those blogs.

If it were me, I wouldn't use the branch if there were any chance it was eucalyptus, since the bark and leaves are toxic. If it's been soaking in clean, running water for months, long enough for the bark to have rotted away? Then it might be OK, as any toxins would have had time to leach out. I still wouldn't advise it.

 

[Benji k]

Using found wood is always a risk, but with some precautions it is usually OK. Not always, but usually. First thing: Does it have bark on it? If it does, I wouldn't use it. With most trees, any toxins will be concentrated in the bark and leaves. Even with harmless trees, you want wood that has been dead a long time. Second, what species of trees are in your area? Sounds like eucalyptus are common. (I'm a little rusty on my eastern Australia flora) Around here most of the deciduous trees are fine (aspen, poplar, alder, ash) once they've lost their bark. I've had good luck with old juniper branches too. Some will say juniper is toxic, but my fish don't seem to have read those blogs.

If it were me, I wouldn't use the branch if there were any chance it was eucalyptus, since the bark and leaves are toxic. If it's been soaking in clean, running water for months, long enough for the bark to have rotted away? Then it might be OK, as any toxins would have had time to leach out. I still wouldn't advise it.

It dosent have any barks all leaves on the wood when we found it it was half submerged in the water. On our way ther ther was a fish in the lake I’m not sure if that means it’s not toxic I’m soaking it now it’s Bean docking for 24 hours I’m going to boil it then soak it again. If you need I can take a better photo to show you the wood I’m using it dosent look like an eucalyptus tree branch but Idk.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

It dosent have any barks all leaves on the wood when we found it it was half submerged in the water. On our way ther ther was a fish in the lake I’m not sure if that means it’s not toxic I’m soaking it now it’s Bean docking for 24 hours I’m going to boil it then soak it again. If you need I can take a better photo to show you the wood I’m using it dosent look like an eucalyptus tree branch but Idk.

There's no way I could know--I don't know the plants in your area of the world. Seeing fish in the lake near that branch doesn't really tell you anything, though. Even a small pond has a HUGE amount of water compared to any aquarium. If there are any toxins, they are going to be extremely concentrated compared to a lake or pond.

The only reason I use wood I find is that most of the tree species around here are non-toxic. Most of the wood I use has either been soaking so long that it's bleached out, or desert juniper been dead for probably a decade or more. I really would advise against using wood of an unknown species, living in an area with trees that are known to be toxic. I recommend using that log for firewood. Ask your local conservation district or agricultural extension office (or whatever the Aussie equivalent is) to learn some species that won't be toxic, then go hunting!

 

[Benji k]

There's no way I could know--I don't know the plants in your area of the world. Seeing fish in the lake near that branch doesn't really tell you anything, though. Even a small pond has a HUGE amount of water compared to any aquarium. If there are any toxins, they are going to be extremely concentrated compared to a lake or pond.

The only reason I use wood I find is that most of the tree species around here are non-toxic. Most of the wood I use has either been soaking so long that it's bleached out, or desert juniper been dead for probably a decade or more. I really would advise against using wood of an unknown species, living in an area with trees that are known to be toxic. I recommend using that log for firewood. Ask your local conservation district or agricultural extension office (or whatever the Aussie equivalent is) to learn some species that won't be toxic, then go hunting!

I thought aquarium shops got ther wood from lakes

 

[Fishmanic]

if there is no bark on that wood, it appears to be rotting... preferred wood types would be hardwood vs softwoods like pine. If you can push your nail into the wood easily it is very possibly soft wood or is rotting wood which would not be advisable to use in your tank.

 

[Benji k]

if there is no bark on that wood, it appears to be rotting... preferred wood types would be hardwood vs softwoods like pine. If you can push your nail into the wood easily it is very possibly soft wood or is rotting wood which would not be advisable to use in your tank.

No the wood is way to hard to put my mail through and Thers no bark Peking of it it looks like the wood I already have in my tank.