Got Wood

[lock77]

I pulled a lovely bit of wood out off a dead tree earlier today. I've been doing a lot f reading and come up with this http/www.dustinsfishtanks.com/bryans-tanks/got-wood/

Is if as handy done as this fella makes out? Its a good sized piece so wouldn't be able to boil it.

 

[jocie1976]

Almost all of my wood has come off of dead trees. Just be sure that the tree wasn't an evergreen or pine. Most of my wood was too big to boil as well. I just soaked it in the tub with hot water. Kept refilling it for a couple of hours. Then I took a scrub brush to it. Because it was so dry it wouldn't sink in the tank so I weighted it down with rocks. That was almost 7 months ago and it still floats if I take the rocks off of it. I haven't had any other problems with it though.
 
Free wood is the best wood!

 

[Liz xty]

From what Ive read, actually boiling the wood would degrade it. You'd basically be cooking it wouldn't you? So I should think a good scrub / jet wash would be advised.
I've also seen reference to people soaking in bleach! I'm no chemist, but I can't imagine that being good, even after multiple rinses / soaks in fresh water?

 

[This Old Spouse]

+1
 
If you boil the wood you break down the fibers and it will eventually disintegrate. Bleach is impossible to remove completely, so stay away from that as well. 
 
I have a rain barrel that I soak any wood in for a good long time, then bring it in and scrub it down well with a brush. So far, so good!

 

[scotty]

lucky you

 

[lock77]

+1
 
If you boil the wood you break down the fibers and it will eventually disintegrate. Bleach is impossible to remove completely, so stay away from that as well. 
 
I have a rain barrel that I soak any wood in for a good long time, then bring it in and scrub it down well with a brush. So far, so good!

When you say you soaked it for a long time are you talking days, weeks or months?

 

[This Old Spouse]

It probably took a couple of months before it sank to the bottom.

 

[AlbertShipman]

old spouse, (or anyone) what advice would you give in regards from picking up free rocks/stones - just
boil them up to rid of any bacteria etc? once thoroughly cleaned, would it be advisable to place in old tank water from a water change in seperate container and monitor for any changes to Ph, water hardness etc.

also, if picked up from a saltwater location, is it possible at all to rid of salt to make safe for a freshwater tank?

lock77 sorry for jumping on your thread, but thought it may be similarly beneficial, cheers.

 

[This Old Spouse]

As I said above, never boil wood as it breaks down the fibers. You can pour boiling water over wood or rocks to sterilize them, then scrub them down with a brush. 
 
I only use driftwood, not just dead wood from anywhere, but other people have used dead wood with good results. Only use hardwood, not pine or spruce. And I personally wouldn't ever put wood from a saltwater location in my freshwater tank.

 

[lock77]

I'm gonna scale the whole thing down a bit. Original plan was for a 3ft lump of wood with lots of branch offs, now I'll just take the end off that looks like a creepy dead tree. Think the smaller bit will leave less room for mistakes. Thank you!

old spouse, (or anyone) what advice would you give in regards from picking up free rocks/stones - just
boil them up to rid of any bacteria etc? once thoroughly cleaned, would it be advisable to place in old tank water from a water change in seperate container and monitor for any changes to Ph, water hardness etc.
also, if picked up from a saltwater location, is it possible at all to rid of salt to make safe for a freshwater tank?
lock77 sorry for jumping on your thread, but thought it may be similarly beneficial, cheers.

Check them with white vinegar, if you pour some on an it fizzles don't put it in.

 

[leighton_87]

old spouse, (or anyone) what advice would you give in regards from picking up free rocks/stones - just
boil them up to rid of any bacteria etc? once thoroughly cleaned, would it be advisable to place in old tank water from a water change in seperate container and monitor for any changes to Ph, water hardness etc.
also, if picked up from a saltwater location, is it possible at all to rid of salt to make safe for a freshwater tank?
lock77 sorry for jumping on your thread, but thought it may be similarly beneficial, cheers.

Never boil rocks!!!

They can can contain air pockets which will cause the rock to explode if boiled. Many people on here have boiled rocks but under Bo circumstances would I recommend it - it may only happen 1 in a thousand times but if that one time could take you head off then it's not worth the risk. Instead I woulda just pour boiling water over the rock and scrub scrub scrub.

I would put the rock in a bucket of tap water and test for any changes to water chemistry. Do similar tests on a glass of tap water as often tap water has dissolved co2 in which escapes over time and you may find your water chemistry naturally changes without the rocks. Old tank water might work but their might be something in your tank (substrate/driftwood) which is causing your water to change properties AO I'd alway recommend having a control sample in a glass.