wood/root in aquarium safe?

[Lee]

I was wondering. A friend pulled out a bush from his yard and the roots look great to decorate a tank. Can i dry the and go through all the motions as you would any wood for a tank and use it?
It looks like a gnarled driftwood....wood look WONDERFUL in my tank....
is it safe for the fish???

 

[CoNMaN]

yes, as long, as you cure it. Let it dry out completely. then Boil it I would even scrub it with bleech to make sure. and then boil it again. and let it soak for a few days and have at it.

 

[Lee]

thank you...
it is soooo cool looking i can wait!!!

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Be sure to post pics when it is done!!!!!

 

[moricollins]

what type of root is it? some types of trees contain olis which would be harmful for fish...

 

[Lee]

i dont know what type. It was a hedge. The type you trim boxy as a property divider. I think it gets red type berries in the fall.
I hope it is safe

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Hmmmm is it Holly?

LOL....lets play.....Name That Shrub!

 

[moricollins]

just to be safe, i would say not to use it, if you don't know what type it is.

 

[Lee]

i will find out tomorrow what type. I hope i can use it. It is so creepy looking...i love it!

 

[CoNMaN]

Dont you think if it gets boiled to hell and back that will eliminate the oils. Maybe let it dry out for some time. then resoak it.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Yeah con.......sounds good to me.

Maybe keep soaking it changing the water it is soaking in everyday or so so none of the oils will stay in the water and get back into the wood.

 

[Flex26]

You could always test the wood. Take your prize fish out of the tank. Put in some zebra danios and see what happens. If the danios die, then you know not to use the wood. But danios can survive a nuclear holocaust. So you could try something less hardier....like neon tetras or something. Of course, this may not be practical....

btw....What size tank do you have?