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Hi all,

Ok I know this is going to sound like a stupid question but as I don't know the answer I have to ask ...

Can branches that have fallen off trees in my back yard be used in a freshwater tank and if so what steps should I take please?

I have some Oak trees, a Pecan tree and some others that I have no idea what they are - sorry, not used to having a big backyard let alone trees in a big backyard.

Thanks for the help

jack11

Generally not because they will rot in the water.

Dino

The hard woods you mentioned would work in a tank.
They need to be dried out, this takes a while, and then submerged.

Both trees you mentioned are tank safe and I have used both types of wood here.

manjil

Yes u can use that but only after completely drying it and boiling it for sometime.

Search this forum u can find many information here regarding ur question.

Neville

i think it is better to buy used driftwoods from pet stores. but before using new woods boil it for some time and keep it in water conditioner and vinegar.

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Thanks for the replies and advice. So how long are we talking about for soaking, boiling etc? OR should I just save myself the hassle and just get wood from a LFS?

jsalemi

Even wood from a lfs needs to be soaked, though not as long as wood you find laying around. I let my Mopai driftwood soak for about a week before most of the tannins came out, and still had to run carbon in the filter for about a month afterwards to get the stray tannins out of the tank water.

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Unless I get the fake wood from the LFS

MagpieTear

Question. Will the tannins actually cause any sort of issues with the fish or other plants? if not totally soaked out ahead of time? A little bit of color to the water wouldn't bother me one bit, makes it look like one of those Amazon pools. Obviously don't want to make it so dark you can't see the back of the tank or the light is blocked from the live plants, but a light tea color isn't really a bad thing, other than personal taste, right?

Dino

Correct.
It will cause a slight drop in pH, but that is it.
The coloring is what most people seem to find not to their liking.
It does not bother the fish.

jsalemi

And running carbon (or some similar chemical media) in your filter will remove the tannins from the water.

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I don't mind the tannins but I know for a fact the wife will ..... I can hear her now ... "D! Why is the water so dirty?!?"

COBettaCouple

you could say with a straight face, "because fish poop".

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And then she'd say get ride of them ... so can't do that