jenniwren

I bought some pieces of wood made for a reptile habitat.. they were just soo gorgeous. I have read about curing driftwood and such but would this wood be safe in an aquarium after it has been boiled ect? It is called riverwood? also it says it is heat treated. Also i wouldnt mind the ph lowering affects as my local water is very hard allkaline. But i also dont want brown water.THANKS in advance.
-Jenn

Tom

It should be safe. Most of the wood you buy these days is for aquariums, terrariums, etc and it should be boiled anyways to get out any harmful chemicals. I boiled mine for about 30-45 mins. until the boiling water was dark brown and then let it cool off naturally so it doesn't crack or break due to drastic temp changes. After cooling, I put it in my tank. It may need to be soaked in water for a few days so it is water logged and will stany at the bottom.
Tom

jenniwren

Thanks! i love this site everyone is so helpful! all of the books and internet sites can get a bit confusing and give very different opinions.

Tom

Yay, and at least here you can get different peoples experience and not just what scientists proved while doing tests.
Tom

Jim

I saw some really cool reptile pieces the other day... I'm pretty sure it was called "Grapevine". I'm hoping this will work as well. I just bought a plant called Java fern, and I've learned it's something you don't plant, it grows on driftwood, and I think it'd look VERY cool on one of these Grapevine pieces...

Tom

Jim- post some pics.
Tom

Jim

Tom, I posted sme pics here:
http://www.fishlore.com/Forum/25-aqu....html#msg60059

Tom

I'm saying of the grapevine pieces.
Tom

Butterfly

Check the tags on all wood made for reptiles to make sure it hasn't been sprayed for insects, sometimes it is sometimes its not. The pieces that haven't been sprayed are safe.
Carol

Tom

Would it still be okay if it has a label on it saying approved for terrariums and aquariums?
Tom

Butterfly

yeah as long as it hasn't been sprayed for insects.
Carol

Jim

Tom, haven't bought it yet, wasn't sure if it was safe...

jenniwren

mine says riverwood and mentioned nothing about aquariums.. but it also didnt say very much on the label to begin with

Butterfly

If it has been sprayed it has to say so, so I would say it's safe
Carol

atmmachine816

Aren't those harder to get to sink since they are so light and tend to rot away since they have such loose bark on it?

jenniwren

mine already sinks so i guess i got lucky!