crispy0

can i use driftwood from the ocean in my tank if i do something special to it like boil or bleach or something

midnightwolf

you would have to boil the wood first then i think there is a kind of paint you have to coat it with so it dosnt rot in your tank.

Shawnie

boiling it is great......then soaking it for a couple weeks so it wont float or put a heavy rock on it to hold it down in the tank..capekate gets some great pieces and she uses them in her tanks...

crispy0

what kind of coat

midnightwolf

im not sure what its called but its some sort of seel for the wood, ill try to find it

crispy0

perfect!! thanks a bunch

midnightwolf

im sorry i cant find what its called but its basicly a water proof covering you can use to keep your drift wood from rotting and isnt toxic to your fish.

Big Rich

Greetings Crispyo,

I found this for you from Dr Fosters and Smith's site

http://www.peteducation.com/article....+2250&aid=3319

Hope this helps you out
Big Rich

crispy0

thanks that definitely helped a lot, but i still would like to know what that seel is called since i am going with saltwater driftwood

Shawnie

you do not need to seal it...just boiling and sanitizing is great I have lizard wood in my tanks...of course it wasnt used for one but it was sold as one...sanitation is your biggest friend...

crispy0

sweet i live about 5 minutes away from a beach with thousands of driftwood pieces

TedsTank

I live in Southern MD along the chesapeake bay and use natural driftwood. There is a lot of oak and cedar. I believe the cedar oils could be bad so stick with the Oaks. Boil it good, soak it long and change the water frequently. Be careful of any pollutants, boiling and soaking helps to be sure you have clean wood. Oak will add tannins to the water (slowly) and can help to acidify the water. Swamp driftwood is nice but must be boiled long...don't want to pick up any parasites.....it is worth the work.

crispy0

how can you tell if it is cedar

TedsTank

cedar is red and smells like a closet or cedar chest...sorry, not much help. usually is gray colored but reddish underneath the bleached part. I dont think you find much at the ocean.

TedsTank

Anyone out there know if cedar driftwood is really a safe wood or not? Very pungent and I think it has oils in it. I would steer away from it but am not sure.

Regal

You do not have to paint or seal driftwood that you put in your aquarium. The wood will release tannins into the water and lower your pH, which is good for many species of fish. It will give your water a slight tea color but boiling the wood first and using carbon in your filter will help with that.

I have read not to use cedar in an aquarium. Stick to hardwood like oak or maple.

I’ve had driftwood in my aquarium that I found in the water but pulled it out because after several months it was still floating. I guess I’m a little impatient. The stuff I found was really pretty, not to mention free but I had already bought some online so I just use that.

Be sure to boil it so you don't add bacteria to your tank. You can pour boiling water over it if it's to big for the pot or put one end of the wood in the pot and then flip it over to boil the other end. I had a really big piece that I put in the laundry sink and ran really hot water over it for a while because it was so big. Of course, it’s best boil it for quite a while.

crispy0

would it be safe to put it in the dishwasher as well

Regal

I never thought of that. My dishwasher does have a sterilize setting that heats the water so I guess that would work. I'd be worried about the dishwasher being damaged though.

Big Rich

Greetings once again,


Dishwasher safe i have to say i never would have thought about that. Now that you have me thinking... might you have a spare room for rent? I figure after i pull this one, my wife is sure to kick me, the fish the cat the dog the daughter out.

I once had a home,
Big Rich

SWilkins

I have always used my dishwasher to clean my driftwood and shells and stuff before I put them in my tanks. It has always worked great and well probably until I make this post it has not hurt my dishwasher. Now my dishwasher will die.

grump

I would be worried about some soap that is still left in the dish water....

SWilkins

Well so far so good here and I have been using my dishwasher for that for years. I just run it two cycles to be safe.

crispy0

ya thanks a bunch i think that is what i will be doing

SWilkins

Hey while the dishwasher is running I can get a tank vacuumed or just sit and watch my little fishes and plan my next project.