How to seal driftwood? - Aquarium Advice

Plowboy91 · 06-20-2007, 10:15 PM

An aquarium book recommended using concrete pond sealant that is plant and animal safe to seal the driftwood so it doesn't rot. I haven't had much luck except for an epoxy sealer that is called Pond Shield. Unfortunately it is about $75 for 1.5 quarts which will be calling it close since my driftwood is for a 150 gal. tank. Any suggestions or experience with this?

bs6749 · 06-21-2007, 12:29 AM

I have driftwood (quite a few pieces) in my 55 gallon tank and it doesn't really "rot". I guess wood can/will react differently but I am not sure that it should be sealed with anything. In fact, I have never heard of doing this to driftwood. I am not saying that it hasn't been done, but it's new to me. I have heard of using silicon to adhere it to glass and such.

Algenco · 06-21-2007, 01:06 AM

I have a stump that I pulled out of the Lake that had been under water since 1952 (when the lake was filled) Hardwoods last a long time under water

Sidi · 06-21-2007, 02:43 AM

I wouldn't seal it either. I would do your best to sanitize it with boiling water (or, if absolutely necessarily) bleach. With bleach you have to be very sure to take extra time to remove and neutralize the bleach.

Many fish, such as plecos, really enjoy having driftwood to rasp upon.

severum mama · 06-21-2007, 09:32 AM

I haven't sealed any of my driftwood.

Plowboy91 · 06-21-2007, 07:25 PM

So it is unanimous then! That makes my decision much easier. Thanks!!

7Enigma · 07-05-2007, 12:14 PM

I have my PH that disperses CO2 shooting against my driftwood. It seems to be slowly rotting but I can't tell whether it is from the carbonic acid, or because its the wrong type of wood (I found, aged, and cleaned it myself).

But it most situations it will last (near) forever.

Ashton · 07-21-2007, 10:52 PM

I read the same thing but I have never sealed any driftwood in any of my aquariums.

Jones2w · 09-20-2007, 12:07 PM

I just got a new tank and put my drift wood soaking in the httest possible water in my bath rub for about an hour before putting in my tank...worked fine for me

David14259 · 09-27-2007, 04:55 PM

I'm a big fan of boiling driftwood. Got a big cheap stock pot from Walmart ~$8. Boiled the driftwood for 3 hours(changed the water halfway through), then soaked it in a bucket of declorinated water for 3 days, then put it in the tank.

06-20-2007, 10:15 PM	#1
Plowboy91 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 46	How to seal driftwood? An aquarium book recommended using concrete pond sealant that is plant and animal safe to seal the driftwood so it doesn't rot. I haven't had much luck except for an epoxy sealer that is called Pond Shield. Unfortunately it is about $75 for 1.5 quarts which will be calling it close since my driftwood is for a 150 gal. tank. Any suggestions or experience with this?

06-21-2007, 02:43 AM	#4
Sidi Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 165	I wouldn't seal it either. I would do your best to sanitize it with boiling water (or, if absolutely necessarily) bleach. With bleach you have to be very sure to take extra time to remove and neutralize the bleach. Many fish, such as plecos, really enjoy having driftwood to rasp upon. __________________ Prudence is a rich, ugly old maid courted by Incapacity. -- Blake

06-21-2007, 09:32 AM	#5
severum mama Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,771 Images: 22	I haven't sealed any of my driftwood. __________________ WE CAN STAGE A RUNAWAY GOLF CART MARATHON 5 gallon, 45 gallon, and 55 gallon planted 75 gallon SA/CA cichlids 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube nano reef

07-05-2007, 12:14 PM	#7
7Enigma Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 2,615 Images: 5	I have my PH that disperses CO2 shooting against my driftwood. It seems to be slowly rotting but I can't tell whether it is from the carbonic acid, or because its the wrong type of wood (I found, aged, and cleaned it myself). But it most situations it will last (near) forever. __________________ 20G High -Currently in tank: 2 checkered barbs, 1 gold barb, 1 cory, 1 BN pleco, MTS, lots of plants. http://www.photolocker.net/images/7Enigma/img7921.jpg

09-27-2007, 04:55 PM	#10
David14259 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Illinois - Champaign/Chicago Posts: 254 Images: 9	I'm a big fan of boiling driftwood. Got a big cheap stock pot from Walmart ~$8. Boiled the driftwood for 3 hours(changed the water halfway through), then soaked it in a bucket of declorinated water for 3 days, then put it in the tank. __________________ David14259 My Tank: 20 Gallon Freshwater High Tech Planted My Plants: Dwarf Sagittaria, Riccia, Crypt Lutea, Rotala Macandra, Corkscrew Val, Blyxa Japonica, Ambulia, Anubias Nana, Flame Moss, Christmas Moss, Echinodorus Parviflorus. My Fish: 1 German Gold Ram, 3 Praecox Rainbows, 1 Otocinclus Catfish, 1 Siamese Algae Eater, 1 Rummynose Tetra, 4 Cherry Barbs My Inverts: Ramshorn Snails, Apple Snails.

06-21-2007, 12:29 AM	#2
bs6749 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 903	I have driftwood (quite a few pieces) in my 55 gallon tank and it doesn't really "rot". I guess wood can/will react differently but I am not sure that it should be sealed with anything. In fact, I have never heard of doing this to driftwood. I am not saying that it hasn't been done, but it's new to me. I have heard of using silicon to adhere it to glass and such.

06-21-2007, 01:06 AM	#3
Algenco Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 87	I have a stump that I pulled out of the Lake that had been under water since 1952 (when the lake was filled) Hardwoods last a long time under water

06-21-2007, 07:25 PM	#6
Plowboy91 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 46	So it is unanimous then! That makes my decision much easier. Thanks!!

07-21-2007, 10:52 PM	#8
Ashton Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4	I read the same thing but I have never sealed any driftwood in any of my aquariums.

09-20-2007, 12:07 PM	#9
Jones2w Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Amherstburg, Ontario Posts: 73	I just got a new tank and put my drift wood soaking in the httest possible water in my bath rub for about an hour before putting in my tank...worked fine for me

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