Driftwood questions

[lava]

Hey guys ! So today I was walking the beach, and ran into this nice looking piece of driftwood, that got washed up by the high tides. I was wondering if I could take it home and stick it into my 55 gal? Of course by sticking I dont mean stick it in right away lol, like what are the steps to cleaning the driftwood? its not small enough to go in a pot or anything. Also the driftwood that I found was in the puget sound, located in Gig harbor of WA. So its got some salts in it for sure. Any advise is highly appreciated!!

[Northernguy]

If it to big to boil place it a large plastic tub and pour some boiling water over it until it is covered and let it soak.You do want to get some of the salt content out.
Make sure to clean all the loose debris off of it.I found a chisel and a steel brush to work well.

[mac]

For me I would boil boil and boil and boil boil boil in a bath tub, to get any salt out.

But then again I am not positive it will work.
Wait till some one with more experience in that line answers.

mac

[dancethenparty]

IMO- if it has salts in it i wouldn't use it. but you would go about boiling it for a 30-60 mintues and then soaking it. you could also use bleach solution.

[Northernguy]

If you soak it for a week or so changing the water daily it should be fine.Use hot water.A little bleach won't hurt but not too much.It is only salt and the fresh water will dilute most of the salt content.
If it still floats weigh it down with rocks.

[lava]

Hmmmm, so basicly I just need to boil the crap out of it huh....Doesnt sound hard but seems like lots of work o_o

[mac]

Yes it is a lot of work. But well worth it.

mac

[lobsternoob]

check this thread too, just popped up tonight i think and people are putting in their opinions/ experiences. http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=19188

LOL oops, maybe it didnt just pop up tonight, i just noticed it tonight, hehe either way, check it out.

[Northernguy]

Hmmmm, so basicly I just need to boil the crap out of it huh....Doesnt sound hard but seems like lots of work o_o

The harder you work on it the better it will look.
It doesn't have to be boiled.Just get the water as hot as you can from the tap and pour it on.Don't forget to change the water.

[korith]

Lots of water changes and let it soak in a tub of water for a few weeks. If you do the bleach thing, you might want to rinse it really well and maybe toss some dechlor in too.

[kacourt]

I threw mine in the dishwater for 2 cycles without soap and soaked in dechlor - but that was probably overkill since I am letting it soak in my empty tank for cycling and since chlorine evaporates. I am in Research and understand Chemistry, but I am by no means a driftwood expert.

My water is testing as expected as of now.

Have fun collecting.

[lava]

I threw mine in the dishwater for 2 cycles without soap and soaked in dechlor - but that was probably overkill since I am letting it soak in my empty tank for cycling and since chlorine evaporates. I am in Research and understand Chemistry, but I am by no means a driftwood expert.

My water is testing as expected as of now.

Have fun collecting.
OH MY!! DISHWASHER?!?! how many times should I let it run through the dishwasher? and is it equvilent to the whole week of soaking in hot water like everyone says? CUZ I AM SO GONNA PUT IT IN THERE!! as soon as my parents go out for a walk! imma stick it in their and blast it!! WUAHAHAHA!!! but X_X if my mom finds out she will kill me LOL

[korith]

OH MY!! DISHWASHER?!?! how many times should I let it run through the dishwasher? and is it equvilent to the whole week of soaking in hot water like everyone says? CUZ I AM SO GONNA PUT IT IN THERE!! as soon as my parents go out for a walk! imma stick it in their and blast it!! WUAHAHAHA!!! but X_X if my mom finds out she will kill me LOL

Laugh ya your mom would get very annoyed with you. I would probably run the dishwasher at least once w/o detergent in it, just to get rid of the old residue. Take a brush to it and clean it off best you can before you put it in there if you do end up doing the dishwasher.

Worst case scenario your mom finds out and you end up grounded, you'll have plenty of time to watch your tank.

[lava]

Hahaha yea...I really think she will go nuts, it will probably be something along these lines. "ARE U NUTS!?!?!?! I DO THE DISHES IN THAT THING! HOW COULD U PUT SOMETHING SO DIRTY IN THERE THAT CAME FROM THE OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!"

[kacourt]

LOL! Well, I am a Mom, and I figure it cleans our dishes for us and sterilizes baby bottles, so it should clean stuff for the fish. Then again, I wash the hockey equipment in there, and 1/2 the other hockey parents think I am a fruit loop. Our hockey stuff doesn't stink though, and no one has Staph.

Definitely agree; run once without soap before putting the wood in, and clean off the wood before too. Maybe run a quick cycle after to remove small traces of evidence showing there may have been something that wasn't a food related in there....

thumbs2:

[TazManiac]

If you soak it for a week or so changing the water daily it should be fine.Use hot water.A little bleach won't hurt but not too much.It is only salt and the fresh water will dilute most of the salt content.
If it still floats weigh it down with rocks.

Thisis exactly what I did for my piece of driftwood in my old tank. Worked well to get rid of any salt.

[henryscat]

I took a dremel to the large piece of tree root i found. A wire brush attachment was used and the wood came out perfectly.
After that it was left in a large bin full of water for a month in order to get it sinking.
The final stage was taking the steam cleaner over it and then soaking and scrubbing in a large tub of hot water.

It's well worth the effort and your tank will look unique beyond compare!

[lava]

THanks for all your help and time guys! I will definitely pick up that piece and go hunting for more cool looking wood! Btw what happens if it turns out to be a fir tree? are their any that I should avoid ? the other problem is that I cant tell the difference! when its all wet and old X_X

[Northernguy]

Hardwood is heavy and softwoods are light.
You do not want a piece that is rotting,if you can pull it apart leave it.
Mine came from the bottom of a lake,I snagged it while fishing.lol

[Crispy]

Mine came from the bottom of a lake,I snagged it while fishing.lol

sounds like a keeper!! hahaha... I pulled some wood from the lake, cleaned it up, let it dry for a few weeks, then soaked it in hot water for a few days in the bathtub (refilling a few times a day)... worked out fine for me...

[lava]

Okay thanks guys! cant wait till its Saturday and Friday !! driftwood hunting!:18: