Drift Wood Prep

[Greg31]

Hey, i am currently on vacation in Outer Banks, NC and there is a shop with TONS of drift wood. It doesnt seem to be completely smoothed out, as if it was cut to be made look good.

Anyway, my question is, to prep a piece of drift wood that probably came from the ocean, what steps should i take to get it ready to an axolotl tank.

For instance, i will probably soak it in a bucket or something, how long should i do that for? Any chemicals or sanding? Any tips would be great.

 

[forrestcook]

prior to using driftwood in my aquariums, I soak it in a CLEANED bathtub for a week or two. The hotter the water the quicker it waterlogs and sinks. The tannins will also leak out faster in hotter water. Not sure if you want it sinking or not, but that's what I do. Oh yeah - change the water every few days.

 

[Greg31]

Thanks alot for advice. I do want it to sink and plan on having some plants grow on it. It will be for my juvie's aquarium when he grows up.

 

[ianclick]

Hi Greg,

First step is a long soaking in fresh water which will need to be changed until the water is free fromm tanins and leachates. The water will stay clear when changed when it is ready, it could take any amount of time depending on the wood also it needs to become water logged so it will not float.

 

[Jennewt]

See
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/wood.shtml

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Oceanic driftwood is not a safe choice for freshwater aquaria.

 

[Nathan]

I agree, at least for amphibian setups. You will probably never get the thing salt free. Freshwater fish are generally fine with a little salt, but it could be hard on your 'manders.

By the way, if you haven't yet, head down to Ocracoke, it's one of the best parts of the whole region.

 

[Greg31]

I am actually home now and my drift wood is being prepped. My guess is it came from brackish water area, but i am not 100% sure. So if it is salt water you dont think it will ever be good?

 

[SludgeMunkey]

I am actually home now and my drift wood is being prepped. My guess is it came from brackish water area, but i am not 100% sure. So if it is salt water you dont think it will ever be good?

Correct.
No amount of soaking or boiling will rid it of all the salts it is saturated with. These will wreak havoc in an aquarium.

Also, given my experiences with the quality of the ocean water in that area of the world, the risk of chemical contamination is extremely high. I strongly recommend not using it.

 

[Greg31]

Is there anyway to test the wood? The person who sold it to me said they found it in swamps so it may not be bad but i dont know. Anyway to test?

 

[Jennewt]

This may be absurd, but you could let it sit outdoors for a year. Rain and weather (cycles of wet and dry) would eventually get out most of the salt, and any chemical contamination would have a chance to break down or wash away. Then a good long boil before using it.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Is there anyway to test the wood? The person who sold it to me said they found it in swamps so it may not be bad but i dont know. Anyway to test?

Ah Ha! Swamp wood is a good sign! Boiling as in the article on Caudata Culture will do the trick! I misunderstood earlier, thinking it was "washed up on the Atlantic Seaboard beach" type drift wood. Forgive me for causing you any unnecessary worry, I should have inquired in detail as to the source.

This may be absurd, but you could let it sit outdoors for a year. Rain and weather (cycles of wet and dry) would eventually get out most of the salt, and any chemical contamination would have a chance to break down or wash away. Then a good long boil before using it.

Very valid point Jen. Good old fashioned dry weathering would probably do the trick for sure! (If you can wait a year or so)