How to make oakwood fish safe

[connorlindeman]

So I picked up some oak wood from a tree. The branch that it was one was broken of the tree but still hanging onto the tree, so it was semi-dry.
What I would like to know is when I can put it in my aquarium. How much tannins can I expect? Ph fluctuations? Do I need to wait for it to completely dry?
Thanks

 

[mbsqw1d]

So I picked up some oak wood from a tree. The branch that it was one was broken of the tree but still hanging onto the tree, so it was semi-dry.
What I would like to know is when I can put it in my aquarium. How much tannins can I expect? Ph fluctuations? Do I need to wait for it to completely dry?
Thanks

It needs to be completely dry, ideally to the point that the bark flakes off. You don't want it leaching sap into the water, it'll be a cloudy mess. Tannins will be minimal compared to other woods such as mopani or bogwood. Lowering ph depends on the kh of your water

 

[connorlindeman]

It needs to be completely dry, ideally to the point that the bark flakes off. You don't want it leaching sap into the water, it'll be a cloudy mess. Tannins will be minimal compared to other woods such as mopani or bogwood. Lowering ph depends on the kh of your water

Hmm besides clouding the water will it negatively impact the fish? Also, if it will be in the water getting wet after it's been dried why won't the sap get reconstituted and cloud the water?

 

[mbsqw1d]

@connorlindeman this blog is brilliant for covering everything to do with tannins!

The Tint

tanninaquatics.com

 

[mbsqw1d]

Hmm besides clouding the water will it negatively impact the fish? Also, if it will be in the water getting wet after it's been dried why won't the sap get reconstituted and cloud the water?

I'm not about the 'science' behind it but fully drying the branch allows for sap to leave the wood and not end up in the water afterwards. A green/live branch is also prone to fungus and mold when submerged, some of which can be toxic to livestock

 

[connorlindeman]

I'm not about the 'science' behind it but fully drying the branch allows for sap to leave the wood and not end up in the water afterwards. A green/live branch is also prone to fungus and mold when submerged, some of which can be toxic to livestock

hmm interesting. Thank you!

 

[Byron]

I agree with what's been advised here. Any wood added to an aquarium must be absolutely dead-dry. The thicker the wood, the longer this takes obviously. Branches picked up from the ground will usually be dead dry; if it easily snaps and is dry inside, it is "dry." But any sign of green, moistness, etc, is not dead dry.

Sap cannot reconstitute; once it has evaporated from the wood it is gone. Tannins are created when wood is in water and begins to decompose. This applies to dried leaves too. These are safe for fish, and very beneficial to many soft water species.

 

[connorlindeman]

I agree with what's been advised here. Any wood added to an aquarium must be absolutely dead-dry. The thicker the wood, the longer this takes obviously. Branches picked up from the ground will usually be dead dry; if it easily snaps and is dry inside, it is "dry." But any sign of green, moistness, etc, is not dead dry.

Sap cannot reconstitute; once it has evaporated from the wood it is gone. Tannins are created when wood is in water and begins to decompose. This applies to dried leaves too. These are safe for fish, and very beneficial to many soft water species.

Thank you. Im going to take a look at the sticks that I have and see. They were on a branch that was dead hanging from the tree. So it MIGHT be safe to use. Do I need to de-bark it?

 

[Byron]

Thank you. Im going to take a look at the sticks that I have and see. They were on a branch that was dead hanging from the tree. So it MIGHT be safe to use. Do I need to de-bark it?

I leave the bark on, if there is bark; sometimes the branch has been off the tree so long the bark is gone. If the end of the branch snaps like a matchstick, it is dry. Rinse it off, make sure there are no bird droppings stuck on. Don't boil it, this will cause the fibers to break apart. Eventually the branch will sort of rot very slowly, but that is fine, no point hurrying it along.

 

[connorlindeman]

I leave the bark on, if there is bark; sometimes the branch has been off the tree so long the bark is gone. If the end of the branch snaps like a matchstick, it is dry. Rinse it off, make sure there are no bird droppings stuck on. Don't boil it, this will cause the fibers to break apart. Eventually the branch will sort of rot very slowly, but that is fine, no point hurrying it along.

Its not quite to that point.(snapping like a matchstick). I'll wait a few weeks and see how it is then. Will keeping it next to our indoor fireplace be beneficial?

 

[Byron]

Its not quite to that point.(snapping like a matchstick). I'll wait a few weeks and see how it is then. Will keeping it next to our indoor fireplace be beneficial?

Yes. A warm environment promotes drying out. You could very slowly heat it in an oven, but I don't think I would waste the electricity/gas.

 

[connorlindeman]

Yes. A warm environment promotes drying out. You could very slowly heat it in an oven, but I don't think I would waste the electricity/gas.

thanks!

 

[Rocky998]

I went through a wood class and every inch of wood thickness equates to one year of drying time... Its best to store in a warm and very dry area to get it right

 

[connorlindeman]

I went through a wood class and every inch of wood thickness equates to one year of drying time... Its best to store in a warm and very dry area to get it right

That's helpful thanks!

 

[Rocky998]

That's helpful thanks!

No problem!