Driftwood prep

[PNW_Nick]

Ever since I picked up my 120p, I've been envisioning a huge piece of driftwood that would exit the surface of the water by many feet. As I hunt for just the right piece, I'm wondering how to prep such a large piece of wood and also how concerned I should be if it was sourced from saltwater.


I've started keeping tabs on Belinda's driftwood page thanks to a post on this forum. There's also someone local to me that posts a ton of driftwood and I belive some of their pieces are sourced from saltwater.

So, how do you soak such a behemoth of driftwood and should I ignore anything that's touched saltwater?

 

[Minorhero]

Ever since I picked up my 120p, I've been envisioning a huge piece of driftwood that would exit the surface of the water by many feet. As I hunt for just the right piece, I'm wondering how to prep such a large piece of wood and also how concerned I should be if it was sourced from saltwater.


I've started keeping tabs on Belinda's driftwood page thanks to a post on this forum. There's also someone local to me that posts a ton of driftwood and I belive some of their pieces are sourced from saltwater.

So, how do you soak such a behemoth of driftwood and should I ignore anything that's touched saltwater?

I honestly wouldn't worry about it. If you have a clean trashcan you can soak a piece of wood in advance. Failing that a wheel barrow, storage bin, or any other thing that's big enough to fit it. If nothing else, just squirt it down with a hose and scrub it a bit. Even leaving it out in the rain is better then nothing. Beyond that it won't matter much for our purposes. Yes, I'm sure it will have some salt or whatever, but its such a small amount compared to everything else and within a few water changes it will be gone.

 

[JayP]

I asked google about driftwood from saltwater. Here's the AI response:
Yes, salt from saltwater can penetrate and soak deep into the fibers of driftwood. Because wood is highly absorbent, saltwater wicks into the structure and deposits salt crystals, which can be difficult to remove. While some, as discussed in this Facebook group, suggest long-term soaking in freshwater can make it safe, others, such as this Reddit thread, argue it is unsafe for freshwater tanks due to persistent salt leaching.

Belinda collects her driftwood from Missouri lakes and ponds.

I agree with @Minorhero as far as the soaking. I think a lot of folks on FB and Reddit overthink it and warn people to soak for extended time and boil the wood. I've soaked bigger pieces in the guest bath tub for a week, changing the water every 1 or 2 days to clear some of the tannins, but that's it. I use purigen for awhile in the tank to also help clear tannins and glue the wood to stones if it wants to float, but that's about it.

 

[PNW_Nick]

Thank you both. I think I started falling into the "overthinking" it category. I'll keep an open mind and be on the lookout for the right piece!

 

[BranchScape]

Ever since I picked up my 120p, I've been envisioning a huge piece of driftwood that would exit the surface of the water by many feet. As I hunt for just the right piece, I'm wondering how to prep such a large piece of wood and also how concerned I should be if it was sourced from saltwater.


I've started keeping tabs on Belinda's driftwood page thanks to a post on this forum. There's also someone local to me that posts a ton of driftwood and I belive some of their pieces are sourced from saltwater.

So, how do you soak such a behemoth of driftwood and should I ignore anything that's touched saltwater?

Have you just approached a local store like Aquarium Zen about their large manzanita offerings they can get? Maybe show example images.

It will likely be more money but probably removes 90% of prep as most retail manzanita is pretty clean as sold. Then just glue up and use a rock or temporary media bag full of gravel to weigh it down during the dark start.

 

[PNW_Nick]

Have you just approached a local store like Aquarium Zen about their large manzanita offerings they can get? Maybe show example images.

It will likely be more money but probably removes 90% of prep as most retail manzanita is pretty clean as sold. Then just glue up and use a rock or temporary media bag full of gravel to weigh it down during the dark start.

I haven't been to aquarium zen in a few years. I'm on the Eastside, so it's not very convenient, so I haven't even thought of them. I'll reach out and see what they say about getting me done manzanita.