Using Wood In A Fish Tank?

[n3ont3tra]

Okay... guys... this wasn't a topic about my stocking. It's a topic about wood. I do realise that I have a lot of fish in my tank, but, like I said, levels are all fine and there is no aggression.

 

[chishnfips]

Okay... guys... this wasn't a topic about my stocking. It's a topic about wood. I do realise that I have a lot of fish in my tank, but, like I said, levels are all fine and there is no aggression.

well said mate....

I think if you look for old bits of wood that are already dry, living in a lovely sunny place that you do you shouldn't have a problem lol. And then boil them to make sure they are clean then stick them in. Only thing is dry wood wil float for a while so put something on top of it till it gets water logged, my alderwood took about a month to finally stay out on the bottom of the tank. I dont know what various woods do to your PH, but mopani and bogwood reduce it, other woods might have different effects, try it and see.

 

[CFC]

I remember reading that wood from softwood trees (pines etc) should be avoided as they contain large ammounts of natural turpentine which can leach into the water and kill the fish so stick to hardwoods like beech and oak, the same goes for leaves collected for leaf litter themed tanks.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Thank you CFC. I just researched and found out the the tree I got it from (black cherry) is a hardwood so I don't think I'll have any problems there.