Wood choice for the planted tank - Page 2 - Aquascaping

RestlessCrow · 11-07-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alta678

I believe those are cypress.

(This comes from my former life as a professional plant geek.....)

The cypress... with the knees are Taxodium Distichum, otherwise known as Bald Cypress. I can't see why they wouldn't be safe. I've seen Taxodium Knees in a Koi pond at the local arboretum and the koi could care less...

wi_blue · 11-08-2009, 08:46 PM

Does anyone if would Tamarack work? It grows in marshs in northern WI.

Tex Gal · 11-08-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wi_blue

Does anyone if would Tamarack work? It grows in marshs in northern WI.

I don't know about Tamarack. Maybe someone else can comment.

Added Grapevine to the list.

bratyboy2 · 10-27-2009, 01:15 AM

i have all oak branches and used leaves....no harm in them to this day

TAB · 10-27-2009, 11:39 AM

they are cypress swamps. They are safe.

Tex Gal · 10-27-2009, 01:24 PM

Adding cypress, if it's good enough for the swamps of Louisiana it's good enough for us.

Existing list so far. If you see one that's not safe, please post. Does anyone know about Crepe Myrtle?

1. Manzanita
2. Colophospermum mopane (AKA mopani, mopane drift wood)
3. Chola wood,
4. Rose wood roots,
5. Malaysian drift wood,
6. Ribbon wood
7. Cypress
8. Oak

davemonkey · 10-27-2009, 04:27 PM

I have used Mesquite (very rich dark color - BEAUTIFUL in my opinion) with no problems.

Also, Cedar is a proven winner in at least a couple NASH tanks...and is currently used in one of the Museum of Natural Science Piranha display tanks. As long as it's aged well, it is good-to-go.

Mopani (commonly sold for reptiles and some for aquariums) is also good, but rather thick/bulky for most aquascape situations. IME, it needs good boiling to leach out the "tea".

I'm not sure about Crepe Myrtle, but I would venture a guess that it's okay if it's aged well (like all the others). I know it is a weak wood structurally (breaks easily cmopared to other woods).

-Dave

Tex Gal · 10-27-2009, 05:35 PM

Thanks Dave! The list is now:

1. Manzanita
2. Colophospermum mopane (AKA mopani, mopane drift wood)
3. Chola wood,
4. Rose wood roots,
5. Malaysian drift wood,
6. Ribbon wood
7. Cypress
8. Oak
9. Mesquite
10. Cedar

freshyleif · 10-27-2009, 08:01 PM

I have some redwood roots that came from the creek on my parents property. I was wondering what other people thought.

wicca27 · 10-27-2009, 10:34 PM

I would say as long as it has cured in open air for a good long time and fully dried naturally and not like in the oven most of the oil or what ever would have left. I know i had to put moth balls in my antique cedar chest cause it no longer kept bugs out