Lt.
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Is it ok to usr softwood drift wood in my tank? I'd use hardwood, but there's none in my area. All I have is spruce and birch at the nearby river.
There gray, white, old dead&dry on a cold cold gravel bar
Wy Renegade said:The major issues have already been pointed out; release of potentially harmful chemicals and much faster decomposition rate. Tannins are another factor in many of your softwoods (especially the evergreens), as some people don't like the darkwater effect. That said however, if the wood is really, truly dead (i.e. dead and grayed out) but not rotting and you can find some that has actually spent time in the water, it can be used without any of these effects. I know several people who have and I myself used some pine and even cedar in tanks without incident. However, keep in mind that there is always the risk that it may not be truly dried out and therefore it may leech something you don't want. Thus the generally accepted guideline of "it should never be used."
Trees are classified as hardwood and softwood by the shape of their leaves not the density of the wood. When we speak of hard vs soft woods in the aquarium we are talking about density, hence the reason I put a space between the woods.just checking but you guys know that just cause a wood is hard dosent nessiseraly mean its a hardwood right for example balsa wood is a hardwood despite being extremly soft. also mopani has been used for ages as rail road sleepers and for garden edging because of its natural termite resistance. i think all timbers would be fine bar a few (maby purple heart, yew etc) would be fine as long as they are treated properly, as far as how to treat em...that i dont know
I'd stay away from any evergreens: fir, pine, spruce, cedar, etc. The resin has antibacterial properties and terpenes isolated from the resin are used in a variety of applications, including pesticides. Distilled resin is the source of turpentine. The potential to leach potentially dangerous chemicals into water is too great, IMO. This is a pretty common guideline in the hobby, though I've never seen any research backing it up.
WYite
just checking but you guys know that just cause a wood is hard dosent nessiseraly mean its a hardwood right for example balsa wood is a hardwood despite being extremly soft.
also mopani has been used for ages as rail road sleepers and for garden edging because of its natural termite resistance.
i think all timbers would be fine bar a few (maby purple heart, yew etc) would be fine as long as they are treated properly, as far as how to treat em...that i dont know
Trees are classified as hardwood and softwood by the shape of their leaves not the density of the wood. When we speak of hard vs soft woods in the aquarium we are talking about density, hence the reason I put a space between the woods.
Yup. Hardwoods are deciduous trees, "softwoods" are conifers, though I don't usually heard 'em referred to in that manner.
WYite
See above
Just for what its worth given the turn the conversation has taken.