Aquarium decor [cross-posted]

"hlessi" wrote in message
ups.com...
Some of you may know that I've got a shoal of assorted tiger barbs with
a fiddler crab in my aquarium. Right now, the crab tends to hang out
either in his little cave/hiding place or perched atop on my plants on
the surface. I had an idea though, to make (by hand) a replica of a
dock/pier to stick in the aquarium (something for the crab to climb up
to get out of the water from time to time.)

But it occurred to me... it might not be a good idea just to use any
old scraps of wood. (I had never really considered what the discussion
on driftwood was all about since I only have plastic decorations, etc.)

I assume that the reason driftwood is better for decoration is because
1. it's not treated by chemicals and 2. any natural toxins have
probably been bled out. Am I right? So, if I were to do any whittling,
I should probably work with driftwood as opposed to just any scraps of
whatever?


In the small confines of an aquarium, noxious substances (like wood sap)
can build up to more lethal levels. Some saps such as Cedar (Eastern)
are really not good for fish. Ironically, most aquarium driftwood is
Western Cedar, but any wood once it has dehydrated, should be fine for an
aquarium.

To answer your question, just whittle away using very dry wood. I find
mine in the woods, usually broken trees, and I look for pieces which are
not in contact with the ground. hth
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