Can you put this wood in the aquarium? 10 pts.?

Question

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752734&lmdn=SHOP+FOR&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

I found a large size and bought it because my rainbow shark is becoming a bit territorial and needs to claim some more territories. They put it in a bin of aquarium decor and it was only 5 bucks...then when I got home the tag stapled on it read: Terrarium decor.

Is it safe for the aquarium?
How can you make it sink?

Here's the stuff I bought.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752734&lmdn=SHOP+FOR&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

Answer 1

I checked your link.



That will float and fall apart, but not be toxic to the fish. Particles might clog the filter intake.



Here is a more general answer to the topic of terrarium decor and aquariums.



If itis cactus (cholla) wood or grape wood, it is safe after rinsing. Often wood for terrarium use has bark still attached. This is good for terrarium animals to climb on but tends to come apart in water and make a mess. Some colors used in terrarium decorations are non toxic but not waterproof. If it's been colored, the color will come off, more of a problem you would encounter with fake driftwood or fake rocks. Grape wood is dark, dense, and often has some light streaks in it. Cholla has a pattern of holes, almost like lace.



By the way many people repeat some old advice to boil the wood. This is bad. It breaks down the cell walls of the wood softening it and allowing fungus and mold to penetrate deeply into the wood. Boiling also removes all the oxygen from the wood, creating an anaerobic environment inside it which produces toxic hydrogen sulphide gas that smells like sewage. boiling creates the illusion you are getting rid of a lot of the wood tannins because the water will get very dark, but it is really like fracking oil shale. You are creating openings into the core of the wood so that tannins that would never been released can all come out.

Answer 2

1. Gerbil pee does not odor like ammonia, it is odorless 2. Yes it is possible, all you need is a hamster/gerbil litter field sold in pet outlets 3. Easy the cage as soon as every week and it should not smell 4. Aspen or Carefresh bedding (NO pine or cedar!) 5. Gerbils desire a reasonable amount of human interaction particularly if you need them used to people 6. 20 gallon is excellent for two 7. You don't have to get two of the whole lot if you do not need to, its no longer required 8. A bedroom is ok, you want gerbils round noise so they get used to it although. And as long as its not by a window. 9. Your canine possibly curious of what it is but whatever you do don't let your canine wherever near the gerbil, your dog could want to play and unintentionally kill it. 10. Hamsters odor method worse than gerbils

Answer 3

You can put it in your tank but you need to soak it first.

You need to soak it in a tub of water for about 2 weeks and change the water daily... the wood will slowly release its tannins and any harmful toxins...once the water's clear then its safe to use. If your still worried then you can boil it in a pot of water for a half hour.

It wont sink till the woods released all its air...usually after a week or 2 of soaking it will sink.

Answer 4

It may and it may not. I feel like something that processed has too good of a chance of having harmful chemicals on it, I personally wouldn't put it in my display tank, maybe try it in a QT tank with a guppy or something for a month or 2 and see if there are any side effects?

Answer 5

yea but it might rot wood rots in water and could ruin the tank also they might have weight so it will sink