[lartist]

Yesterday, I went fishing and brought back beautiful pieces of drifwood that I would like to use in my new aquascape. My question is: What should I do to sterelise those drifwoods before put them in my tank? I was thinking to put them in a bucket full of boiling water for a while. It's enought or the use of peroxide will be more effective?

 

[frozenbarb]

Just boil it. If it was brought from a LFS it shouldn't be that harmful.

 

[lartist]

Thank you for your answer... Those drifwoods come from a lake near my town.

 

[jmontee]

Definitely boil it if it fits into a big pot. You should boil it for at least 2 hours to make sure you get rid of any hitchhikers. Also I would change the water half way through and this will also get rid of any tanins that might stain your water and decrease your pH.

 

[Bert H]

Also use a stiff wire brush to remove any soft and/or decaying wood.

 

[lartist]

I will boil them more than less. But, it is surprising how those driftwood are clean. The action of the waves and almost 6 months of winter does a great job

 

[jmontee]

Bert, muchas gracias for filling in my lack of info!!

lartist, what did you catch (other than the driftwood)? LOL I am also a fisherman down here in sunny Miami, FL. :fish2:

 

[lartist]

oufff! more mosquitos bites than fishes... I would like to tell the name of the fishes we caught but I don't know it in english:noidea: In french, we call it "perchaude".

 

[jmontee]

Probably perch. It's a little yellow fish with black bars and some red on it right? See how good my french translation is. :heh:

 

[lartist]

Your french is very good!

 

[The old man]

I put my driftwood thru the dishwasher without soap and then just rinse it good and have had no problems. I also just let it air dry after the hot wash and rinse.

 

[lartist]

Great idea The Old Man!! I will try that... when my wife will go out for shopping#-o

 

[The old man]

I wait till wife does a load then sneak it in at night after emptying it for her. She hasn't caught on yet.