Preparing wood for the aquarium use

[Yenko]

I found a branch in my back yard that will look good in a tank. How could I prepare it for aquarium use? I think stripping the bark off and keeping it in a bucket of water might work; any idea how long ths might take?

 

[Genki]

I've only read articles about it, but most of them say 2-3 weeks soaking, and boiling it helps get the tannins (spelling?) out that lower the ph and turn the water brown. Also, baking it is a good way to sanitize it. I believe the soaking part is only to make floating wood sink.

 

[fufanu360]

wel.. u must dry it out first...i think you could leave the bark... but boil it then soak it...

 

[Heyjeyniceid]

Im currently experimenting with wild collected Emory oak wood. Its been long dead and dried out, nothing off an actual tree for fear of sap.

Boiling really helps it sink as the smaller pieces that were completely saturated with hot water now sink beautifully. The larger ones are takeing longer and dont sink properly yet. I think the logic behind it is boiling water somehow forces air out of the wood allowing it to sink properly.

The wood is darkening and is starting to look fantastic, just as good as store bought drift wood. Id imagine my biggest chunk(3 feet long, maybe 30 lbs) wich resembles a stump and curls and knarles around rather elegantly would have cost me hundreds of dollars in an aquaria store.

I believe hardwood is the best to work with for fish, asthetic, and bouyancys(sp) sake.

 

[The-Wolf]

green wood contains starches and sugars. as this breaks down in water it causes alot of chemical reactions, all of wich are bad for aquatic life.
IMHO green wood is not for aquariums.

Edit there is a pinned topic in the beginners forum about wood

 

[Crookster]

I think the logic behind it is boiling water somehow forces air out of the wood allowing it to sink properly.

Boiling acts as a disinfectant and kills nasty bacteria. Soaking it lets it absorb water so that it will sink.

I agree with the other guy and wouldn't put any green wood in, it would suggest that there is still some life in it.

Try baking it, then soaking it and then boiling and see what it looks like then.