Wood choice for the planted tank - Page 2 - Aquascaping

alta678 · 10-27-2009, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex Gal

What are the trees that grow in the swaps of Louisiana? Aren't those cedar - with the knees?

I believe those are cypress.

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

wicca27 · 11-07-2009, 12:14 AM

Grape vine. One of the lfs sells it and its not cheep

tj9582 · 11-07-2009, 09:09 AM

Could I recommend that you add a "known to be bad" list to the original post? I imagine that would also be quite helpful.

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...