...is This Driftwood?

[donny7]

My GF had some stuff leftover from her iguanas tank, most importantly, this piece of wood. She said she bought it from a LPS but isn't sure if it's driftwood. I don't have a clue either.

I tried putting it in an empty tank (After soaking it in a tub of hot water for a few hours) but all it did was float. I read people attach rocks or things to them, but I don't really have anything to attach to it.. how long would it take to waterlog it? Is it safe for the aquarium?

 

[Verminator89]

So long as it hasnt got any nastys hidden in it, then keep floating it untill it absorbs enough water to sink properly. Perhaps give it a good soak in water in a bucket outside for a while, changing the water every few days to remove anything that leeches out. It should be fine to use, once it sinks.

 

[Katty]

It looks like Mopani wood to me. People use it for and it's safe for both reptiles and fish.

I've heard boiling it can make it water-log a little faster?

 

[Gilli]

Personally I wouldnt use it if its been in with a reptile just incase there is anything which could harm the fish. Having said that im sure if its boiled it would kill off any baddies but i just wouldnt risk it - but thats just me!.

Why dont you go on Ebay - you can buy bogwood thats already pre-soaked so you wont have problems with it floating or dyeing your water yellow. The added bonus is you can also buy it with living plants already attached.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

If its darker on the other side then its probably mopani.

Boil for minimum 20 minutes and leave in the pot if you can find one big enough. Once water has cooled discard it and keep it immersed in cold/cooler water.

If you cant do above then get a tub or something similar and fil it with boiling water and discard when cooled and keep it immersed in cold/cooler water.

If you cant do any of above then very carefully pour boiling water over surface of wood a couple of times and keep it immersed in cold/cooler water thereafter.

Change the water every few days until ready to go in tank.

My personal choice is to have the final soak in dechlorinated water before it goes into the tank.

 

[Rogue4Fish]

You could use Milton as well, which would sterilize it. That'd definitely get anything bad off it.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Milton and similar steralizers are great for plastic but i would not use them on wood, even hardwood as some of it still has porous areas which would absorb the chemicals.

 

[PEneoark]

That looks like bacon