Types of wood for your aquarium

fishoutawater · 03-01-2005, 02:04 AM

Are there woods that you want to stay away from if selectiong your own pieces in the "wilderness" for your tanks? I have some pieces of malasian which are beautiful, but I was thinking of looking around for oak tree branches. Oaks have some really gnarled and twisted branches, and the bark looks amazing.I want something with substance, but with a little less bulk than the malasian pieces. I am Toying with theidea of making arches and protruding inclines (up from the geavel) and covering them with moss and TONS of narrowleaf java fern. I want a haven for my Discus to feel secure under, but with a 50 gal pent, I want to be able plant things in the back of the tank and still see them. I want it too look Full, but still create a great use of Open space. I hope this isnt too confusing.

tekknoschtev · 03-01-2005, 02:22 AM

The only thing I am aware of that you should avoid are freshcut wood and softwoods. If you can press your nail into the wood without much effort, then it is a softwood and will rot too quickly in the tank. Also you want cured wood, that has been dried and cleaned. Oak is definately a hardwood so as long as its dried and clean I think you should be ok.

fishoutawater · 03-01-2005, 02:48 AM

What are the dangers of fresh cut woods? Just curious.

Ahkuma · 03-01-2005, 03:03 AM

I use manzanita in my tanks. My LFS has it in theirs too.

Rabbit · 03-01-2005, 04:00 AM

check out this very informative article. Should give you all the info you need.
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/doc...ing/wood.shtml

03-01-2005, 02:04 AM	#1
fishoutawater Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 98	Types of wood for your aquarium Are there woods that you want to stay away from if selectiong your own pieces in the "wilderness" for your tanks? I have some pieces of malasian which are beautiful, but I was thinking of looking around for oak tree branches. Oaks have some really gnarled and twisted branches, and the bark looks amazing.I want something with substance, but with a little less bulk than the malasian pieces. I am Toying with theidea of making arches and protruding inclines (up from the geavel) and covering them with moss and TONS of narrowleaf java fern. I want a haven for my Discus to feel secure under, but with a 50 gal pent, I want to be able plant things in the back of the tank and still see them. I want it too look Full, but still create a great use of Open space. I hope this isnt too confusing.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-01-2005, 02:22 AM	#2
tekknoschtev Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St. Clair Shores, MI Posts: 100	The only thing I am aware of that you should avoid are freshcut wood and softwoods. If you can press your nail into the wood without much effort, then it is a softwood and will rot too quickly in the tank. Also you want cured wood, that has been dried and cleaned. Oak is definately a hardwood so as long as its dried and clean I think you should be ok.

03-01-2005, 02:48 AM	#3
fishoutawater Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 98	What are the dangers of fresh cut woods? Just curious.

03-01-2005, 03:03 AM	#4
Ahkuma Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sac Ca Posts: 255	I use manzanita in my tanks. My LFS has it in theirs too.

03-01-2005, 04:00 AM	#5
Rabbit Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: hamilton, Ontario Canada Posts: 11	check out this very informative article. Should give you all the info you need. http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/doc...ing/wood.shtml