What type of driftwood is ok

[rat126]

I have a nice piece of driftwood which I think it might be cedar. Is that ok and is there any other wood that will harm the fish. This is my first discus fish tank. I will be getting my fish this weekend.

[Wahter]

I have a nice piece of driftwood which I think it might be cedar. Is that ok and is there any other wood that will harm the fish. This is my first discus fish tank. I will be getting my fish this weekend.


I think this has come up before, but some people didn't have problems with cedar:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=56993

But on other forums, they didn't recommend it (due to it's natural ability to deter insects):
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/cedar-driftwood-29446.html

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/driftwood/19648-cedar-driftwood.html



Walter

[rat126]

Thank you for the information. Where some say it is ok and others say not I think I will play it safe and not put it in there. Maybe on my next tank I will try it where the fish are not that costly. Again thank you

[mustangs]

I bought a piece of driftwood before realizing it was cedar. I talked to the person selling it and they assured me it would be fine (of course they would say that.) I also contacted all of the previous buyers on ebay and asked what they were using it for and most came back as aquarium use. Everybody loved their cedar in the tank so I thought I'd give it a try. I boiled it for about 15 minutes, soaked it for a couple of weeks with guppies to make sure it didn't leach anything in the water, took it out and boiled again and soaked for another month. I then placed it in my 220 discus tank and ta-da, a beautiful display piece. I wouldn't have any reservations putting it in if it is treated correctly before use.

[whitedevil]

I havnt used cedar only cypress outside of mopani. I think with the above poster's method of total soak and boil out will be fine for you, I dont see why people talk against it, ok it repels bugs in dry form not wet. infact most bugs eat at it when its wet and bore into it. I notice on my cedar pergola that the bumblebees bore into it and reside inside of it when its never been wet before.

I am wishywashy on that whole bug repelancy thing, more so for termites I think but I havnt seen a termite in chicago,ever yet.

I do the soak and sun bake for 60-90 days before putting it in the 55g barrel at the bottom for water absorption(any/all driftwood I collect) if it floats try sinking it to the bottom of atleast a 3' tall container, the water pressure rapidly decreases the soaking time.

[Wahter]

Here's another discussion on using cedar and cypress in the aquarium:

http://www.aquaticplantenthusiasts.com/general-planted-aquarium-discussion/2766-suitable-driftwood.html



Walter