Wood In Tank

[puppyjess123]

Hello all,

I was wondering instead of buying wood for fish stores and that.

Is there any way to use wood from around the garden etc. It hasn't been treated and its an oak tree.

If not is there any other tree you could use wood from?

Thanks,

-Lucy

 

[ajs2294]

You may have a problem sinking the wood, you'd probably also want to heat the wood or soak it in water for 14-30 days to release any possible toxins. Driftwood is really your best bet.

 

[puppyjess123]

Drift wood where do you get this??

I guess i could try and soak it for a while, then try it out in the tank

Thanks

-Lucy

 

[Truck]

oak wood will be fine, just make sure that it is stripped of bark and has never come into contact with pesticides/herbicides etc, give it a good scrub, let it dry out (4-6 weeks) then soak it till it sinks replacing the water daily and add to the tank.

 

[puppyjess123]

Thanks, theres some lovely bits of wood out their

Also how do you recommend taking bark off??

Thanks,

-Lucy

 

[Truck]

Stanley knife, run it across the bark. until you're down to the wood.

 

[puppyjess123]

Cheers, i'll go ask my dad to do it for me

Im sure he'll know what a stanley knife is

-Lucy

 

[puppyjess123]

And out of interest why do i have to let it dry out for 4-6 weeks??

-Lucy

 

[Truck]

To dry any sap and to kill any bacteria or fungi.

 

[puppyjess123]

Cheers

Should i let it dry inside or out?

 

[Truck]

Just leave it outside under a table or something.

 

[puppyjess123]

Thanks, you been such a help

-Lucy

 

[puppyjess123]

If it was cut off about 3 months ago and has been on the floor for a long time do i still need to let it dry out in my garden? Or could i go straight onto soaking it?

 

[Truck]

I would dry it out still.

 

[puppyjess123]

Ok. Does every little bit of bark need to be taken off, because some of it is very tough. Even my dad can't get it off

Thanks,

-Lucy