wood for tank

[Lior T]

Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the tank ?
what do i need to check before putting the wood in ? what should
disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field near my
home) .

is it true they balance ph ?

thanks
Lior

[Stan]

"Lior T" > wrote in message
...
> Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the tank
?

no

> what do i need to check before putting the wood in ?

Dry, hardwoods (close grain) and their roots.

what should
> disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field near my
> home) .

No pine. If it does not look cool. No bark...

Others can probably provide better/more input.

>
> is it true they balance ph ?

Theorectically they do, in practice it makes very little difference.
Its mainly for looks.

I am one of the very few that is no longer worried, concerned, care, and
propagate pH lore. I am not saying its not a factor....but its one I
now believe is no big deal. I replaced my pH lore with osmotic pressure
of water.....or the thin and thickness of water based upon dosolved
stuff in it. Its measured by conductivity/TDS. But thats me. I think
the Marketer shills and the folks they fool keep the legend alive. But
thats me and I have noticed others but not in this forum.

>
> thanks
> Lior

[Lior T]

Thanks.

so this means i can pretty much use ANY kind of wood ?
(sorry if this sounds abit like im repeating myself...)

Lior.

Marcus Fox wrote:

>
> "Lior T" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the
> > tank ? what do i need to check before putting the wood in ? what
> > should disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field
> > near my home) .
> >
> > is it true they balance ph ?
>
> Wood may leach substances into the water, changing the pH in a
> possibly inappropriate manner. Driftwood often leaches tannins and
> other humic acids into the water (much like peat moss), possibly
> softening it and lowering its pH. The water may also obtain a
> yellowish tea-colored tint. The tint is not harmful and can be
> removed by filtering the water through activated charcoal.
> If you use wood that you've found yourself (e.g., woods or lake),
> boil it first to kill any pathogens. Boiling it (long enough) will
> also make it sink.
>
> Marcus

[RedForeman ©®]

but you MUST make sure the wood is, 1. cured, dried to an extent that it's
no still 'green' which will release chemicals into the water, I guess that
would be tannins, but others too, 2. it cannot be anywhere near rotting,
that'll create a big PITA....

"Lior T" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks.
>
> so this means i can pretty much use ANY kind of wood ?
> (sorry if this sounds abit like im repeating myself...)
>
> Lior.
>
> Marcus Fox wrote:
>
> >
> > "Lior T" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Is it possible to use just ANY wood from the field to put in the
> > > tank ? what do i need to check before putting the wood in ? what
> > > should disqualify a wood ? (im gonna go collect one from the field
> > > near my home) .
> > >
> > > is it true they balance ph ?
> >
> > Wood may leach substances into the water, changing the pH in a
> > possibly inappropriate manner. Driftwood often leaches tannins and
> > other humic acids into the water (much like peat moss), possibly
> > softening it and lowering its pH. The water may also obtain a
> > yellowish tea-colored tint. The tint is not harmful and can be
> > removed by filtering the water through activated charcoal.
> > If you use wood that you've found yourself (e.g., woods or lake),
> > boil it first to kill any pathogens. Boiling it (long enough) will
> > also make it sink.
> >
> > Marcus
>