Driftwood

[Emissary of Pain]

Hey all ...

I am new to this forum and apologise if I have posted this in the wrong section (mods can move it accordingly if wrong) ...

I have a pretty basic question that has brought me more confusion than anything else.


I recently got myself 5kg's (11Lbs) of driftwood from a friend who used it in a terrapin tank. He sold the terra and left the driftwood behind his house and left open to the elements. What would be the best way for me to clean this driftwood as I am setting up a new cichlid tank with it (or would like to at anyrate)


All advice and info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wills]

Hi welcome to the forum, best way to kill stuff off would probs be to boil it for a while. Though it could still be risky. What kind of cichlids you thinking of?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

My best guess would be that you need to both sterilise it with something like "Milton baby strilising fluid" and emerse it in boiling water. Terrapins are often carriers of lovely diseases like salmonella, which I have absolutely no idea what immunity protection fish have.

What size tank have you got and out of curiosty, what cichlids and other fish are you thinking about stocking it with?

 

[Emissary of Pain]

Hey hey ...


The current project is a 240L (63gal) tank so its not the biggest of tanks but I live in a flat so trying to get a 6ft into here would be more hassle than its worth ... lol ...


I would be adding my Tiger Oscar (BOB)which is 25cm (9.8in), convict and brichardi. I am still looking up what other tank mates I can try put with an overly aggressive T.O. but not having much luck that is why I got myself a whole bunch of driftwood to make hiding spots and get away routes. (if I can't find something to put BOB in his place then I was thinking of adding faster fish that will get away from BOB)


How long should I boil the driftwood should I add salt or bleach as I have read while looking for info on the net ( hence the confusion aspect )


Thanks for the advice so far !!!

 

[the biffster]

i used to pressure wash mine
with a small pressure washer i had
then place in a big pan of boiling water
you have to make sure there is no detergent
in the pressure and boil for about an hour
or to let it cool well before you use it
take it out of the water to cool as well

 

[nurglespuss]

Yeah a pressure washer is a good idea. Then pop it into boiling water for a while, that will remove anything that might be removable.

Best bet then would be to set up the tank with the wood, and while fishless cycling monitor it, if you notice any build up of scum etc or strange colours appearing, get rid.

Salmonella is no real worry for fish, no more susceptible than anything else.

Plus you have the added knowledge that it was safe for terrapins in water, so should be fine for fish.

 

[Emissary of Pain]

Hey all,


I will be boiling as advised, a couple times to be sure. Unfortunately no pressure washer here.


For cycling the new tank, insted of a fishless cycle can I use a pleco and a few smaller fish to cycle the tank as I will be using filter media from an already established tank (1yr and 2yr old tanks)