My parents found some driftwood in OK...

[mrcrazypants05]

So my parents went to one of my moms family reunions and I asked her to look in the rivers and creeks and such if she had the time... Anyway... she found this nice piece of driftwood, but I don't know about it. How can you tell if its actually driftwood and not just a root or something that fell into the water... Would it be okay in my aquarium anyway? heres a pic...

 

[PsiPro]

Think it needs to be from saltwater.

 

[Zagz]

I personally would be very cautious putting unknown things into the tank. I'm sure there is a way to cleanse and make it safe. Someone will chime in and give you an answer. Just don't throw it in the tank without proper cleaning.

 

[mrcrazypants05]

I would boil it a few hours. Then let it soak in some dechlorinated water or something... thats what ive heard to do anyway... I think...

 

[Toirtis]

It appears to be a root...possibly hardwood.....is it particularly heavy for its size?

 

[Guest]

You need to sterilize it yes, and you probably want to make sure that it doesn't leach tannins.. which make your water orange. Its not harmful but may not be asthetically pleasing. To do this you can boil it to speed up the process.. but it is also advised to soak it for a few weeks and change the water.. you can use like an empty trashcan or rubbermade container to soak if you don't have a pot big enough. Boiling it also helps to sterilize it and scrubbing it can remove a lot of the excess junk. If its to big to boil you can soak it in a bleach solution but you have to make sure to rinse it in dechlor afterwards. Ive also read that adding salt to the water your soaking in helps and that letting it sit out in the sun can help cure it as well.

HTH

 

[DeFeKt]

Thats a nice looking bit of wood, but unfortunatly it looks like it might be to far gone to stop it from releasing tannins into your tank.. boiling and soaking before inserting is the only way to find out.
and if it's been in a lake or river for as long as it looks you may never be able to use it without a dark brown looking tank as it may also be soaked with muddy water.

Also, not sure about over there, but here it is illegal to remove absolutly anything from it's natural environment that may host even the smallest if organisms..
Unless of course it's a pest like rabbits, or "crayfish"
The more out of the environment the better in that case.

 

[mrcrazypants05]

I don't think its illegal... Man, what IS legal in Australia :| jk Well I shall boil it today and start the soak and see how everything turns out... The picture quality isnt that great so maybe... oh well... I'll keep you guys updated I guess lol

 

[Toirtis]

, but here it is illegal to remove absolutly anything from it's natural environment that may host even the smallest if organisms..
Unless of course it's a pest like rabbits, or "crayfish"
The more out of the environment the better in that case.

Only typically in the case of national parks and conservation areas over here.