Manzanita in aquarium?

I live in Northern California, where there is an abundance of manzanita bushes/trees, and I have a good amount in my own yard.

Would it be safe to use some of the manzanita from my yard and place it in my aquarium.
How would I clean the wood? Boil it a few times and leave it in a bucket with water for a week or so? Or something more intense?

 

I live in Northern California, where there is an abundance of manzanita bushes/trees, and I have a good amount in my own yard.

Would it be safe to use some of the manzanita from my yard and place it in my aquarium.
How would I clean the wood? Boil it a few times and leave it in a bucket with water for a week or so? Or something more intense?

There is a company in California that harvests and sells Manzanita locally! Many of us have it in our setups.

On their site it sounds like their pre consists of pressure washing the wood. I’m not sure if they let it sit out to partially dry out or not though. I boiled mine after purchase and wedged it in my gravel for a few days until it became waterlogged enough to not float.

 

I use that in most of my tanks as long as it wasn’t exposed to any pesticides on your property you can just put them in a bucket n run boiling water over them . That’s what I do. Then I just plop it in my tank n when it sinks I position it how I want to.

 

There is a company in California that harvests and sells Manzanita locally! Many of us have it in our setups.

On their site it sounds like their pre consists of pressure washing the wood. I’m not sure if they let it sit out to partially dry out or not though. I boiled mine after purchase and wedged it in my gravel for a few days until it became waterlogged enough to not float.

What is the company called? I would love to look into that!

I use that in most of my tanks as long as it wasn’t exposed to any pesticides on your property you can just put them in a bucket n run boiling water over them . That’s what I do. Then I just plop it in my tank n when it sinks I position it how I want to.

I don’t believe it has been exposed to pesticides, I’m mostly worried about any parasites or bugs getting into my tanks.

 

Manzanita-Driftwood.com - Stunning Aquarium Driftwood, Stones, & Fish

They have a lot of really cool pieces. If you can find some local it will be nice to save the money But, I think they are reasonably prices for the size pieces they have.

the shipping gets you a little But but maybe you could arrange local pick up and save some money there.

 

I’ve ordered pieces from manzanita and it’s nice that u can pick the exact pieces u want not just random ones

 

I think you just have to make sure its dried out not green anymore. No bark or anything.

 

Beautiful wood. I soaked mine in a bathtub for a week or so, as the pieces were pretty large. Occasionally I have to wipe down the wood as the outside can get a little soft and thinner branches could slowly disintegrate, but thicker pieces have held up for years.

 

I wasn’t able to find any good pieces that were already dead, so I cut some live ones. How would I go about preparing them for the aquarium?

I also got a few branches that appear to be charred on the outside, but still good wood on the inside. Is there any way to make those into acceptable aquarium decor?

here is a photo of the fresh cut wood. I tried to get the smaller pieces.


And here is a photo of the charred wood; and the inside of the charred wood. I haven’t taken the twigs or leafs off yet.