Very weathered pine wood ok?

I have a nice small piece of pine driftwood that I want to use in my 4g betta build. Just wanted to double check that it's ok?

It's been outside for several years, no bark. It's been through thunder and hail storms, and feet of snow, and baking in the sun. It doesn't smell like pine at all anymore and has no sharp pieces.

If I boil it for an hour or two to make sure that all's good, it should be fine right?

(I am aware that it is a softer wood and may break down within a year or so, fine with me I'll remove it at the first sign of rot)

 

I wouldn’t because of the sap, and I’m pretty sure that pine has certain chemicals that can leak out and poison your fish. I would try oak or maple, those will last you a long time and will not leak any chemicals out. I would play it safe with this one.

 

I wouldn’t because of the sap, and I’m pretty sure that pine has certain chemicals that can leak out and poison your fish. I would try oak or maple, those will last you a long time and will not leak any chemicals out. I would play it safe with this one.

Thanks for the response
I decided against it already and decided to go with maple instead, I have a couple of old pale branches boiling right now that I'm planning on hot gluing together. Also gonna put some java fern and anubias on it!

 

That sounds cool, you’ve got me excited now... please send pics!

 

Thanks for the response
I decided against it already and decided to go with maple instead, I have a couple of old pale branches boiling right now that I'm planning on hot gluing together. Also gonna put some java fern and anubias on it!

I think you made the right decision. I would stay away from any aromatic wood, regardless of it's age, unless it was petrified .

 

That sounds cool, you’ve got me excited now... please send pics!

I think you made the right decision. I would stay away from any aromatic wood, regardless of it's age, unless it was petrified .

I'm excited too!! I'll make sure to send pics when done, it looks so awesome so far

Thank you!

Also need help here: Gorilla glue-super glue safe? | 460413 | Freshwater Tank Equipment

 

I'm excited too!! I'll make sure to send pics when done, it looks so awesome so far

Thank you!

Also need help here: Gorilla glue-super glue safe? | 460413 | Freshwater Tank Equipment

See your other post, I just replied

 

Alrighty then... gonna use super glue! Hopefully this'll work as neither hot glue nor cool glue worked.

 

I don’t know much about glue and aquariums but I would personally do aquarium safe glue, but I’ve also not looked into it, and I don’t know if it would work with driftwood. Just a suggestion.

 

What are you doing with it? Plants to wood? If so, gel works a lot better. It may be worth the wait, until you can get gel.

I don’t know much about glue and aquariums but I would personally do aquarium safe glue, but I’ve also not looked into it, and I don’t know if it would work with driftwood. Just a suggestion.

Just an FYI, (Ethyl) cyanoacrylate is the same as "aquarium" glue, but usually a lot less expensive. It's perfectly safe, as long as it's the only ingredient.

 

Oh, thanks for the info!

 

I don’t know much about glue and aquariums but I would personally do aquarium safe glue, but I’ve also not looked into it, and I don’t know if it would work with driftwood. Just a suggestion.

What are you doing with it? Plants to wood? If so, gel works a lot better. It may be worth the wait, until you can get gel.

Just an FYI, (Ethyl) cyanoacrylate is the same as "aquarium" glue, but usually a lot less expensive. It's perfectly safe, as long as it's the only ingredient.

I was trying to glue wood-to-wood, but it decided to not work.

Scratching it off the list... might try baking the wood and then using hot glue, I think it only isn't sticking because the wood is wet/waterlogged.

The super glue made nothing stick but my fingers -_-

Rocks can be baked, right? I glued a bunch of river rocks and precious stones to the base of the main stick.

 

Oh, thanks for the info!

If you google Seachem Flourish Glue, or Seachem Reef Glue, they're both cyanoacrylate with an incredible price mark-up, vs Loctite, Gorilla, or even SuperGlue .

 

I was trying to glue wood-to-wood, but it decided to not work.

Scratching it off the list... might try baking the wood and then using hot glue, I think it only isn't sticking because the wood is wet/waterlogged.

The super glue made nothing stick but my fingers -_-

Rocks can be baked, right? I glued a bunch of river rocks and precious stones to the base of the main stick.

Nevermind, stupid question. Hot glue can't be baked

 

I was trying to glue wood-to-wood, but it decided to not work.

Scratching it off the list... might try baking the wood and then using hot glue, I think it only isn't sticking because the wood is wet/waterlogged.

The super glue made nothing stick but my fingers -_-

Rocks can be baked, right? I glued a bunch of river rocks and precious stones to the base of the main stick.

ge #1 silocone - Google Search

You can find it a Home Depot, Walmart or Lowe's. Takes longer to set, 24 hours, but it will give a better hold on larger items, like wood on wood.

 

If you google Seachem Flourish Glue, or Seachem Reef Glue, they're both cyanoacrylate with an incredible price mark-up, vs Loctite, Gorilla, or even SuperGlue .

Looked it up... it's actually only $8.50 at walmart!

 

Rocks can be baked, right? I glued a bunch of river rocks and precious stones to the base of the main stick.

Yes they can, but you have the risk of them exploding because of air pockets on the inside.

 

ge #1 silocone - Google Search

You can find it a Home Depot, Walmart or Lowe's. Takes longer to set, 24 hours, but it will give a better hold on larger items, like wood on wood.

Yes they can, but you have the risk of them exploding because of air pockets on the inside.

Can't sadly, they're hot glued and the glue'll melt.

Ah, maybe I'll try that! I think my dad miight actually have some out in the garage.

 

Can't sadly, they're hot glued and the glue'll melt.

Ah, maybe I'll try that! I think my dad miight actually have some out in the garage.

Make sure it's the GE #1. There are other silicons that aren't safe for aquariums. There are also others like the GE #1 that are, but I don't remember which ones.

 

I waited a little while longer and the hot glue is working!!

For the curious people, here's the project so far <3

Planning on putting plants in the little nooks created by the sticks!

 

I waited a little while longer and the hot glue is working!!

For the curious people, here's the project so far <3

I was going to ask for some work-in-progress photos . Just curious, where's the baby bottle going to go, lol .

 

I was going to ask for some work-in-progress photos . Just curious, where's the baby bottle going to go, lol .

Aha- didn't see that there hilarious despite the fact that I'm 15, I have the mind of a 9 y/o lol... something to do with my ADHD/anxiety, I love playing with dinosaurs and stuffed animals. Can't help it, it's like a coping mechanism for me.

Finished it!! This is looking so cool... Soon I'm gonna get a java fern and an anubia or two to go on it... Maybe some moss for the "roots"?

there's 5 total branches/roots.

Finished it!! This is looking so cool... Soon I'm gonna get a java fern and an anubia or two to go on it... Maybe some moss for the "roots"?

there's 5 total branches/roots.

Do you guys think it's set to go into the tank? After I clear off all the strings ofc.

Wood has been boiled and rocks went through a bleach dip+boil too.

 

Do you guys think it's set to go into the tank? After I clear off all the strings ofc.

Wood has been boiled and rocks went through a bleach dip+boil too.

Yup. Give it a quick rinse and it should be ok to set in. I use hot glue in and around my tanks all the time.

 

Yup. Give it a quick rinse and it should be ok to set in. I use hot glue in and around my tanks all the time.

HEh well the whole thing fell apart entirely and I had to throw it away. Gonna try something else I guess.

Found a better alternative, went to the local park and got some old oak+elm branches. Boiling those now!