Aquarium safe driftwood??

**ScottishFish** · 03-01-2013, 12:51 PM

Long story short i will be spending next week in the north of Scotland at a marine centre Doing some volunteer work. I have been there before and nearby there is a beach that harbours loads of driftwood. It sits at an estuary and in every 24hours loads more appears.

I would be able to bring stuff back, however i dont really know what to look for, or even if it is aquarium safe.

All my aquarium wood has so far been shop bought.

Tips, hints, suggestions, advice?

**Honey Badger 1** · 03-01-2013, 12:56 PM

The estuary's in this country are protected and we aren't allowed to take anything from them, so first, be certain you are allowed to take the driftwood. Look for hard wood, if you can get your fingernail in it, it isn't suitable for your aquarium.

**madagascariensis** · 03-01-2013, 12:57 PM

Not experienced with collecting driftwood but if it was in saltwater I think you will be soaking it for a very very long time...

**ScottishFish** · 03-01-2013, 01:07 PM

Driftwood is free game over here mommy. There is actually a big driftwood art type thing here.

I would obviously soak any wood i collect, scrub it, and boil it. Anything else??

**imma24** · 03-01-2013, 01:40 PM

Wow - having unlimited driftwood - how lucky can you get huh? LOL

**ScottishFish** · 03-01-2013, 03:52 PM

Why can you not take driftwood in america??

**mizzoutank** · 03-01-2013, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by ScottishFish

Why can you not take driftwood in america??

It is just the idea that the area is "protected" from anything and everything. so like no hunting,(sometimes no camping), can't take or put things there. keep the area as it's natural habitat and removing things will alter the ecosystem.

but I agree with the simple nail test for hardwood. but also pop into google and search the native tree species, so you know what it could be and if they are classified as hard wood's too. that'll help give guidance on what to choose.

**Dennis Bissett** · 03-03-2013, 07:05 AM

With what we collected from the beach, we first submerged it in boiling water to kill anything living on it, then soaked it for 4 - 5 weeks (until it no longer floated) good point about the fingernail test

**ddavis1979** · 03-03-2013, 10:18 AM

Fingernail test is good, also stay away from wood that is evergreen. Another tip, give the a wood a smell, some woods are fragrant woods and I have been worned against that. Cedar (also evergreen) and some poplar, and maybe black walnut can be fragrant.

I find that most oak works well if not rotted. Beech is good. then your more exotic species, manzanita, mopani, and malaysian drift.

I have been wanting to try out some maple and some crape myrtle, so if anyone has used it, let me know.