wood from a nearby stream

[summerboy1958]

I plan on visiting a stream near my house this weekend where I saw a few interesting pieces of wood. They are currently submerged.

If they are not rotten, is there a risk in using wood that is saturated with "natural" water? Do I need to let it dry out and then soak in chlorine+water?

All comments welcome!!

Bruce

 

[kiddjam]

try it, if maybe it wont be problematic, this forum is so inactive, I hope more people are knowledgeable to answer you question accurately....

there are so many stuffs that we should test, but the great/best ones cost a fortune which is not likely to be bought by normal hobbyist....

temperature...variable water chemistry.... ion... and all that invisible stuffs in side the water column, wood, substrate, rock.... also, fish disease....

so well, maybe just throw it in, see what happen... I know I sound desperate, but I am working on something big, a whole system.....

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

is there a risk in using wood that is saturated with "natural" water?

No, assuming that the water quality is fairly good in the stream. Just scrape of any soft bits and you are ready to go. I store all the bits of dead wood (that I intend to use fairly soon) in my garden pond, this ensures they are saturated and will sink. I also give them a good sniff for any sulphurous smell when I take them out that might indicate active decay.

cheers Darrel

 

[Mike Wise]

I would try the wood in an aquarium with fish you are willing to sacrifice if the wood carries toxins or pathogens. Truth to be told, I have done this and not had many problems.

 

[sasikan]

same here i often find pieces of wood in nearby streams (i sometimes boil them) i have never had any problems!

 

[regani]

if the stream is healthy and not polluted you shouldn't have any problems with toxins (petsicides, heavy metals and the like).
if the tank is healthy you shouldn't have any problems with pathogens as healthy fish don't tend to get sick that easily.
the only thing is that you can get some unwanted critters hitching a ride on the wood, e.g. hydra, dragonfly larvae, larvae of water beetles etc. some of them may cause problems, but a good scrub should should get rid of most of those