Using Woods

[Tobigara]

is malasian drift wood any different than normal drift wood?

 

[raptorrex]

is malasian drift wood any different than normal drift wood?

it would appear so, though i cant find exactly what. it is like Mopani, a dense hard wood. often seen with holes and crevices.

 

[Tobigara]

is malasian drift wood any different than normal drift wood?

it would appear so, though i cant find exactly what. it is like Mopani, a dense hard wood. often seen with holes and crevices.

do you think it would change the ph any?

 

[raptorrex]

it may perhaps lower the ph. thought with healthy well buffered water it should not be too much or too violent to cause problems.

 

[darkwolf29a]

I have Mopani in my convict tank. It works just fine. I have a big piece, so I just boiled half of it, then the other half. I did that for a few hours, and then put it in the tank. It leaches a little but nothing bad, and the fish don't seem to care.

 

[Tobigara]

that's good that's exactly what i was looking for.

 

[shang hi]

the dead tree is not worth the risk. sorry but im NOT going to say "yes do it save $50" for the sake of the fish
shang hi

and i said do not use the wood incase i cinfused you

 

[CFC]

You can use dead twigs and branches from oak and beech trees once they have completely dried through and have no green wood or sap through the whole thickness of the wood. The dried fallen leaves can also be used after a short period of boiling.

Trees that must be avoided at all costs are pines and spruces which contain turpentine in their sap, chestnut and horse chestnut trees which are very poisonous and elms which are deadly.

 

[madgap]

You can use dead twigs and branches from oak and beech trees once they have completely dried through and have no green wood or sap through the whole thickness of the wood. The dried fallen leaves can also be used after a short period of boiling.

Trees that must be avoided at all costs are pines and spruces which contain turpentine in their sap, chestnut and horse chestnut trees which are very poisonous and elms which are deadly.

So you really have to know one wood from another then. And seeing as wood tends to lose its bark as it dries it would be really dificult to tell what you have. The bark being a good indicator of tree species.
I do know one wood from the next as part of my job. But on a personal note, I just wouldn't trust what I find. I'd much prefare to buy a piece that the God's intended for my tank.

 

[andywg]

don't use wood from a saltwater beach. it will have saltwater in it and that can harm scaleless fish. and it will mess with your ph horribly.

If salt water harms scaleless fish, how do my moray and frogfish cope living in a marine tank without any scales?

A fish's tolerance to salt in the water has nothing to do whether it possesses scales or not, it is all about how well it can osmoregulate with salt in the water.

Also, the amount of SW in a piece of wood once it has dripped dry is not going to make any significant difference to your water parameters, a quick soak with a garden hose will more than sort it out.

 

[madgap]

So are you suggesting that the pieces hat I've had in my vivariums for all those years could possibly e alright in an aquarium?

 

[andywg]

The concern with beech collected wood will be if it has been open to pollution. I would guess the risk is quite low, but it is a risk nonetheless.

 

[madgap]

Nothing is is withot it's risks. Your's is a very understandably safe post.
But what if I was to wash that wood? And don't forget, It is old and hass been in a hot enviroment for at last three years


Edit with;
Wow! I can see where the vodka took hold on this post!.... Off tomorrow so I've had a drink

 

[raptorrex]

i would have no hesitation to use sea driftwood. if treated as i mentioned above. there is, on this forum, a general feeling against doing this though. not sure why, none of the threads give any real reason, or explanation though.

 

[CFC]

The only reason i would be slightly hesitant to use a piece of beach driftwood is not knowing what type of tree it came from, some species have toxins in the wood which could possibly leach into the water if the wood is still fairly fresh, but on the whole i'd imagine driftwood is safe to use.