Grapewood "driftwood"

[springmom]

Hi all;

I went by the local Petco this afternoon and they had some interesting looking driftwood bits (in the reptile section, for lizards to crawl on and sun themselves on). But I bought a couple of small pieces, thinking to add them to my aquarium. The pieces are grapewood (I'm assuming grapevine trunks). Can I safely add them to the aquarium, or is there some other sort of driftwood I should try to get?

I want it both for aesthetic reasons and because it will help keep my oh-so-hard water softer. Texas limestone makes for VERY hard water! But I don't want to put in something that's going to mess up the fish, obviously.

Anybody? Thanks.

Jan

 

[IceH2O]

My understanding is that grapevine wood becomes very mushy and fouls your water. Not to mention that most reptile decor has been treated with an antibacterial solution.

 

[springmom]

My understanding is that grapevine wood becomes very mushy and fouls your water. Not to mention that most reptile decor has been treated with an antibacterial solution.

Rats.

What kind of wood will work? I can go to Lake Houston or Lake Conroe and scrounge the lakesides for real driftwood... any ideas what I can use, and where on earth to get any that won't bring undesirable stuff into the tank?

Jan

 

[wendywc]

Here's a great thread on driftwood... http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=54177

By the way, I'm southeast of Houston near Clear Lake.

 

[springmom]

Here's a great thread on driftwood... http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=54177

By the way, I'm southeast of Houston near Clear Lake.

Thanks for the reply. I have no clue what "bogwood" is, although around here the wood you find in "bogs" (bayous) is likely cypresswood. I might give some thought to a scavenging trip up to Lake Conroe sometime soon.

I googled "aquarium driftwood" and found a website by that name that actually goes out and finds the stuff and sells it. Pretty expensive, and I think I'd just as soon go find my own if it comes to that.

We're up in Spring


Jan