Reptile wood in aquarium?

jenniwren
  • #1
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 don't want brown water.THANKS in advance.
-Jenn
 
Tom
  • #2
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
  • Thread Starter
  • #3
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
  • #4
Yay, and at least here you can get different peoples experience and not just what scientists proved while doing tests.
Tom
 
Jimold
  • #5
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
  • #6
Jim- post some pics.
Tom
 
Jimold
  • #7
Tom, I posted sme pics here:
 
Tom
  • #8
I'm saying of the grapevine pieces.
Tom
 
Butterfly
  • #9
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
  • #10
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
Would it still be okay if it has a label on it saying approved for terrariums and aquariums?
Tom
 
Butterfly
  • #11
yeah as long as it hasn't been sprayed for insects.
Carol
 
Jimold
  • #12
Tom, haven't bought it yet, wasn't sure if it was safe...
 
jenniwren
  • Thread Starter
  • #13
mine says riverwood and mentioned nothing about aquariums.. but it also didnt say very much on the label to begin with
 
Butterfly
  • #14
If it has been sprayed it has to say so, so I would say it's safe
Carol
 
atmmachine816
  • #15
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
  • Thread Starter
  • #16
mine already sinks so I guess I got lucky!
 

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