[Tex Gal]

Can we assemble a thread that lists acceptable wood choices for the planted tank? If you know it's safe for tank use please add it to the list. Lets assume that it should be clean and not green wood, but seasoned and dead. For definitions of dead, seasoned see post #40. If we can get a good list we can make this a sticky. I'll keep editing this 1st post of the thread as the list gets bigger. For details about each wood see individual posts by contributors.

1. Manzanita
2. Colophospermum mopane (AKA mopani, mopane drift wood)
3. Chola (cholla, choya) wood
4. Rose wood roots
5. Malaysian drift wood
6. Ribbon wood
7. Cypress
8. Oak
9. Mesquite
10. Cedar - some are iffy on this one.
11. Grapevines - reported to rot quickly
12. Ironwood
13. Beefwood
14. Australian Pine
15. Azalea
16. Rhododendron
17. Madrona
18. Crepe Myrtle
19. Western Hemlock Roots
20. Contorted/Corkscrew Willow
21. Osage Orange / Bodark
22. Buttonwood
23. Baldcypress / Taxodium
24. Cherry trees- Maybe OK after aging, I would not risk them fresh.
25. Tulip poplars- Liriodendron tulipifera
26. Linden trees- Tilla sp
27. Maple- Acer sp.
28. Glossy Ligustrum, Ligustrum lucidum
29. Mangrove

 

[TAB]

Colophospermum mopane (AKA mopani, mopane drift wood)

cypress

 

[ghengis]

I don't think cypress would work, actually. It contains a natural turpentine essence, hence it's resitance to termite/white ant/borer attack.

I reckon it would leach into the tank and kill everything in sight...

 

[wicca27]

Chola wood, rose wood roots, malaysian drift wood,ribbon wood. I know some one who uses and sells cypress for tanks it comes from swamps in louisiana

 

[dollface]

I don't think cypress would work, actually. It contains a natural turpentine essence, hence it's resitance to termite/white ant/borer attack.

I reckon it would leach into the tank and kill everything in sight...

Is this a similar reason to why cedar is considered unsuitable for aquariums?

 

[ghengis]

I don't think cypress would work, actually. It contains a natural turpentine essence, hence it's resitance to termite/white ant/borer attack.

I reckon it would leach into the tank and kill everything in sight...

Is this a similar reason to why cedar is considered unsuitable for aquariums?

Correct.

 

[dollface]

Correct.

Do you have any specific data of the effects cypress and/or cedars on planted aquaria flora and/or fauna? I've seen and heard plenty of "It'll kill everything" but no specific reasons why.

 

[Tex Gal]

Bring on some more. So far here is the list. I'll leave cedar off until we have a concensus. What are the trees that grow in the swaps of Louisiana? Aren't those cedar - with the knees? Also somewhere I read crepe myrtle; is that ok?

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

 

[bratyboy2]

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

 

[ghengis]

Do you have any specific data of the effects cypress and/or cedars on planted aquaria flora and/or fauna? I've seen and heard plenty of "It'll kill everything" but no specific reasons why.

I don't I am sorry, hence my using the phrase "I don't think"... All I have is 18yrs dealing with timber of different types and knowing the natural properties of cypress and cedar. It just seems logical to me that anything that can drive away termites or borers (particularly those found here in Australia), would be somewhat less than ideal in an aquarium environment.

Personal opinion...I would love to find out the truth of it, also...

 

[alta678]

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

I believe those are cypress.

 

[TAB]

they are cypress swamps. They are safe.

 

[Tex Gal]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[wicca27]

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]

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

 

[tj9582]

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]

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...