Zodiac007

I found a lot of very nice looking wood on the beach today. They don't look like 'driftwood' though. But they do look pretty dead. I can't tell what type of wood it is. I live in Vancouver, BC Canada.

Here are a few pictures of them:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31567181@N06/3422058635/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31567181@N06/3422866594/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31567181@N06/3422057719/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31567181@N06/3422058303/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31567181@N06/3422058303/


And this one I just absolutely LOVE:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31567181@N06/3422867070/

thank you.

Shawnie

those are some AWESOME looking pieces..and yes you sure can use them..heres a great link to read

Driftwood Notes

and my favorite is the one you love...great piece

Amanda

It will work as long as you REALLY sterilize it well.

Zodiac007

The only thing I'm afraid of is that they are from the ocean. I think I remember reading somewhere that you shouldn't use wood from the ocean. And it's for my freshwater tank too.

Amanda, how do I "REALLY" sterilize them? lol

Dozey

Since you mention BC and the beach I’m guessing these are ocean (salt water) drift wood. If this is correct I would also guess that they are well impregnated with salt and likely could pose a problem to your fresh water environment.

Amanda

Watered down bleach, and BOIL BOIL BOIL.
Boil until you think there's nothing left to boil.

Zodiac007

also, how can I easily tell if it's softwood or hardwood?

Shawnie

if you click on that link i gave you, you will see a ton of ideas...i to live by the ocean and so does capekate and we both use driftwood from our oceans..so i know they are safe...the link will explain all the ways of making them ready for your FW tank

those pieces are so amazing, i bet you could sell them and make a good side buisness on aquabid...or even craigslist

Zodiac007

lol shawnie....really? money off some pieces of wood I've found.

Shawnie

absolutely!!!!!!

namehater

if i knew that bottom piece was safe for FW (which i trust they are correct) i would buy it!

SWilkins

My dishwasher is great for washing and sterilizing wood pieces and other things for that matter. No soap and run it through a couple of times works like a charm.

Scorpio_Girl

Hey Zodiac - that is some beautiful wood; what beach were you at??

Zodiac007

it's in Richmond. I don't know the name. But its not really a beach. It's just the ocean, and I found it at the tide area.

MrWaxhead

Nice pieces, I have used some stuff from the ocean on howe sound in Squamish, I prefer to use freshwater pieces, but I have found some I really liked on the beach and I just do lots of boils and dumping of the water to make sure I get all the salts out etc.