wood for tank

Stan · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 40

"Lior T" wrote in message$wnc0ih$d71$1@lnews.actcom.co.il...
> Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the tank
?

no

> what do i need to check before putting the wood in ?

Dry, hardwoods (close grain) and their roots.

what should
> disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field near my
> home) .

No pine. If it does not look cool. No bark...

Others can probably provide better/more input.

>
> is it true they balance ph ?

Theorectically they do, in practice it makes very little difference.
Its mainly for looks.

I am one of the very few that is no longer worried, concerned, care, and
propagate pH lore. I am not saying its not a factor....but its one I
now believe is no big deal. I replaced my pH lore with osmotic pressure
of water.....or the thin and thickness of water based upon dosolved
stuff in it. Its measured by conductivity/TDS. But thats me. I think
the Marketer shills and the folks they fool keep the legend alive. But
thats me and I have noticed others but not in this forum.

>
> thanks
> Lior

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>misc

Lior T · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the tank ?
what do i need to check before putting the wood in ? what should
disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field near my
home) .

is it true they balance ph ?

thanks
Lior

Marcus Fox · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 41

"Lior T" wrote in message$wnc0ih$d71$1@lnews.actcom.co.il...
> Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the tank ?
> what do i need to check before putting the wood in ? what should
> disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field near my
> home) .
>
> is it true they balance ph ?

Wood may leach substances into the water, changing the pH in a possibly
inappropriate manner. Driftwood often leaches tannins and other humic acids
into the water (much like peat moss), possibly softening it and lowering its
pH. The water may also obtain a yellowish tea-colored tint. The tint is not
harmful and can be removed by filtering the water through activated
charcoal.
If you use wood that you've found yourself (e.g., woods or lake), boil it
first to kill any pathogens. Boiling it (long enough) will also make it
sink.

Marcus

Lior T · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

Thanks.

so this means i can pretty much use ANY kind of wood ?
(sorry if this sounds abit like im repeating myself...)

Lior.

Marcus Fox wrote:

>
> "Lior T" wrote in message
> $wnc0ih$d71$1@lnews.actcom.co.il...
> > Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the
> > tank ? what do i need to check before putting the wood in ? what
> > should disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field
> > near my home) .
> >
> > is it true they balance ph ?
>
> Wood may leach substances into the water, changing the pH in a
> possibly inappropriate manner. Driftwood often leaches tannins and
> other humic acids into the water (much like peat moss), possibly
> softening it and lowering its pH. The water may also obtain a
> yellowish tea-colored tint. The tint is not harmful and can be
> removed by filtering the water through activated charcoal.
> If you use wood that you've found yourself (e.g., woods or lake),
> boil it first to kill any pathogens. Boiling it (long enough) will
> also make it sink.
>
> Marcus

RedForeman ©® · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 339

but you MUST make sure the wood is, 1. cured, dried to an extent that it's
no still 'green' which will release chemicals into the water, I guess that
would be tannins, but others too, 2. it cannot be anywhere near rotting,
that'll create a big PITA....

"Lior T" wrote in message$ofz1ih$1y3$1@lnews.actcom.co.il...
> Thanks.
>
> so this means i can pretty much use ANY kind of wood ?
> (sorry if this sounds abit like im repeating myself...)
>
> Lior.
>
> Marcus Fox wrote:
>
> >
> > "Lior T" wrote in message
> > $wnc0ih$d71$1@lnews.actcom.co.il...
> > > Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the
> > > tank ? what do i need to check before putting the wood in ? what
> > > should disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field
> > > near my home) .
> > >
> > > is it true they balance ph ?
> >
> > Wood may leach substances into the water, changing the pH in a
> > possibly inappropriate manner. Driftwood often leaches tannins and
> > other humic acids into the water (much like peat moss), possibly
> > softening it and lowering its pH. The water may also obtain a
> > yellowish tea-colored tint. The tint is not harmful and can be
> > removed by filtering the water through activated charcoal.
> > If you use wood that you've found yourself (e.g., woods or lake),
> > boil it first to kill any pathogens. Boiling it (long enough) will
> > also make it sink.
> >
> > Marcus
>