How To Clean Large Pieces Of Driftwood

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How to treat huge branches of driftwood?

MissMTS

Aug 6, 2009

I found a person who is selling some huge gorgeous branches of manzanita wood on craigslist for very cheap. I have been looking for some nice branches for my tanks, and am thinking of going and getting a few this weekend.

Now the problem... How the heck do I treat wood that is 3-5 feet long? Is there a way for me to use my spare bathtub for this task (my husband will just LOVE that, lol)? Any ideas would be great!

harpua2002

Aug 6, 2009

That's a tough one!

I actually have never treated driftwood. I think I soaked a piece once. Any tannins that leech out will go away eventually, and aren't harmful at all. If the look of tannins bothers you, carbon and/or water changes will help remove it.

MissMTS

Aug 6, 2009

Thread Starter
#3

Manzanita wood is a hard wood, so I don't think it will leech tannins. If it does they don't bother me. My concern is that they are branches from a tree, and not treated at all for aquarium use. Could I get away with not treating them, or would that be too risky. I was thinking of maybe filling the bathtub with a bleach/water solution and then rinsing like crazy.

Shawnie

Aug 7, 2009

I would at least put it in for a nice hot shower for a few...otherwise, there's no way to really sanitize something that big...now I want some LOL

MissMTS

Aug 7, 2009

Thread Starter
#5

That's a good idea. Thanks Shawnie

Check out the ad:

It seems like he has some pretty cool branches.

Shawnie

Aug 7, 2009

wow!!!! id say so!! wish I was closer!

MissMTS

Aug 7, 2009

Thread Starter
#7

If it didn't cost an arm and a leg to ship I would totally send you some!

Shawnie

Aug 7, 2009

aww ty kate!! and I agree the cost would be like giving up our first born! LOL

Aquarist

Aug 7, 2009

Good morning. I was given a piece of driftwood 6 feet long. Obviously there is no way to sterilize it before it goes into my tank so I decided to use a pressure washer on it. It really removed all of the crud that I don't want going into my new tank. If you have access to a pressure washer I think it will be a great help.
Best of luck and hope you can send some pictures out way soon.
Ken

Beth1965

Aug 7, 2009

Kate: Did you already pick out the piece you want? Did you get it? I don't know this wood. Love to see a pic of what you get (got).
I think the power washer is the best idea.
I saw this post last night and thought about it--couldn't come up with an idea.
Beth

MissMTS

Aug 7, 2009

Thread Starter
#11

Good morning. I was given a piece of driftwood 6 feet long. Obviously there is no way to sterilize it before it goes into my tank so I decided to use a pressure washer on it. It really removed all of the crud that I don't want going into my new tank. If you have access to a pressure washer I think it will be a great help.
Best of luck and hope you can send some pictures out way soon.
Ken

HI Ken,

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a pressure washer? My dad might have something like that, but I'm not sure. What are they used for? It sounds like a great idea though. Did you get your piece yet?

Kate: Did you already pick out the piece you want? Did you get it? I don't know this wood. Love to see a pic of what you get (got).
I think the power washer is the best idea.
I saw this post last night and thought about it--couldn't come up with an idea.
Beth

HI Beth,

No I haven't gotten it yet. I'll be sure to post pics when I do. I'm planning on picking some up either tomorrow or sunday.

TedsTank

Aug 7, 2009

Dont soak it in a bleach nothing!!!!....the wood will absorb the bleach too.....Use bleach solution only as a rinse....the pressure washer should do/...if it is not from a river , lake, or pond...ie: not driftwood or from wet areas, it is probably safe...would have no aquatic thingees!!!

Red1313

Aug 7, 2009

I know that they use a pressure washer with a disinfectant mix to sterilize barns... however that might not be a good thing to put in your tank...

SWilkins

Aug 8, 2009

Good morning. I was given a piece of driftwood 6 feet long. Obviously there is no way to sterilize it before it goes into my tank so I decided to use a pressure washer on it. It really removed all of the crud that I don't want going into my new tank. If you have access to a pressure washer I think it will be a great help.
Best of luck and hope you can send some pictures out way soon.
Ken

Oh what a wonderful idea. I have a couple of large pieces that I could not figure out how to clean. Now I know how Tommy has a pressure washer in the shop...now I gotta figure out how to work it...nah I'll just con him into it. Thanks Ken!!!

Aquarist

Aug 8, 2009

Hello MissMTS. A pressure washer is a water hose connected to an air compressor (gas powered) that forces water out like at a car wash. Many people use them to wash drive ways, houses, boats, cars. I'm sure you've probably seen them and just didn't know the name for them. They are "wonderful" to have for so many different reasons.
Ken (glad to help Swilkins )

ps I don't add any chemicals, just the water itself does the trick as far as cleaning it.

MissMTS

Aug 8, 2009

Thread Starter
#16

Thanks so much everyone These are dry branches from a tree, so they don't have any yucky aquatic germs in them, lol.

Ken, I have totally seen pressure washers before, in fact, I think my dad has one. I just didn't know the name

I'm going to hopefully pick some up tomorrow, so I'll post pics as soon as I can

Tony G.

Aug 8, 2009

what I do, ( just did it this morning) is grab the biggest rubbermaid tub at my house, I grab a hose, and bend it so it forces the water to come out faster, and just rinse it. Then I lay it on the sun to dry for about an hour. Then igrab it again, and with a pocket knife, shave off a layer of the wood. It makes it smooth, and removes all the gunk that can come off in your aquarium. Then I rinse it again, and dry it again. Then I grab a tub and let it soak to leech out some tannis. Then in about a week you can add it to your aquarium if you don't want tannis. Personally I add it right away and just remove the tannis with WC's.
Pressure wash does sound faster though ;D

MissMTS

Aug 8, 2009

Thread Starter
#18

Tony, your method sounds great, I just think that with a 5 foot piece of wood, it might be a little difficult I will keep that in mind for smaller pieces though

Tony G.

Aug 8, 2009

Tony, your method sounds great, I just think that with a 5 foot piece of wood, it might be a little difficult I will keep that in mind for smaller pieces though

lol didnt think of that! my piece is only 2 1/2 feet long lol!

I did this method cuz it didnt fit in the microwave

navyscuba

Aug 8, 2009

I use a kids pool. I'm actually using it right now. My little secret. haha. Pics soon.

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