Outside Oak

[PlecostomusPerson]

Okay, so I am new to this forum, I was recently on a cichlid one, but I did not like how it was just that one topic. Anyways I have an Albino Bristlenose Breeding aquarium and I kind of wanted to change it up a little. I have found some fairly large Pecan tree branches (Don't know what else to call the tree) and I wanted to drill a hole through and I need to know if it is harmful to the Pleco? and how to clean it? I know it would take months to let it sit in rain water, but I was thinking what if i burnt it, boiled it, drill holes in it, then set a rock on it to let it sink to the bottom of the rain water....... your thoughts please?

 

[techen]

I have no idea what a pecan tree branch is. If it's something you picked up outside then please be careful as it can have many nasty things inside unless you know its safe for tank.

Being that it's safe. You can stick it right in, it will dye your water with tannis but this is good for fish and wont harm them. Also, using a rock to hold it inside the tank works.

 

[PlecostomusPerson]

Well a Pecan Tree Branch is from  a Pecan Tree. Don't know if the UK has them, but I guess it's close to an Oak Tree.
 
Okay well I will clean it up a little...... Is boiled water or rain water better?

 

[techen]

Boiled water will kill any nasty stuff. Don't see the benafit using rainwater

 

[PlecostomusPerson]

Alright I will try that, and i don't know someone said rainwater would help

 

[fluttermoth]

No; don't use pecan.
 
It's got some kind of toxin in it, related to aspirin. Walnut is also not safe, for the same reason.

 

[fm1978]

Pecan tree, indeed? That's an interesting one...

It does produce a chemical, but, it's usually only toxic to other plants. There's a good chance that if your piece of wood is definitely dead, and importantly, very dry and treated properly before you introduce it to your tank, it could be just fine. Boiling water, not rain water...

In general, you want to avoid aromatic woods (e.g. pine) and stick with fruit bearing types. Oak would be fine but I'm not sure Pecan is similar enough to count.

Pros and cons weighed up... I wouldn't take the risk on anything I wasn't 100% sure of.

 

[PlecostomusPerson]

So Pecan Tree is good? It has been in the Texas heat (100F) for about 2 months now and very little rain, the wood I am looking at is about a foot long 5 in diameter. I was thinking of just hollowing it out and make a few holes.

 

[fm1978]

I'll stick my neck out...

Make sure it's good and clean, thoroughly dead, no green stuff on it at all and I think it'll be fine.

 

[PlecostomusPerson]

Awesome. thanks for all y'all help