Driftwood Question Please?

[newgirl40]

Hi, I'm new to the forum, and my question is, I have been boiling a piece of driftwood, and it smells like pine really strong, and there is some sort of sap seaping out.
Should I try it, or am I wasting my time?
Also, can any other wood be used besides driftwood? Like dead tree branches?

Thanks, Connie

 

[Crazybob]

hey, keep boiling it. the sap is tannin, which would otherwise get released into your tank making it very cloudy, and not very fun to get rid of. you could also try letting it soak in a bucket of hot water for a few hours (possibly up to a day) to let it release it. when i got my piece i replaced the water in the bucket when i could no longer see the wood lol. also, i think any kind of wood would work, just as long as it sinks and you have soaked it, but im not sure about that exactly

 

[Colin_T]

pine sap is toxic to fish so don't use it.

 

[newgirl40]

Thanks, I won't!
But how about dead tree limbs? Can those be boiled and used?

 

[Colin_T]

it depends on the tree. Known poisonous plants like Oleanda, are to be avoided at all costs. Most plants that produce a white sap when cut should be avoided too.
Try to use plants that naturally grow along river banks as these are generally safest.

If you do find some branches that you want to use and appear safe, then soak them in a bucket of water for a few days/ weeks until the wood stop floating. Change the water each day to remove any tannins (brown discolouration) that have been released into the water.
If you find the wood in a creek or river then put it into a bucket of water and add a heap of rock salt or swimming pool salt to the container. After a week replace with freshwater and treat as above. The salt will kill of anything living on the wood.

 

[newgirl40]

Thanks!