Driftwood from Alabama River

[AmazonTank]

Anyone know what kind of driftwood this is an if my l306 & l397 can safely eat it?
Amazing store on Ebay USA.
Thanks in advance team!

[Jools]

I think there are at least two trees in there maybe three. Unless the seller can confirm where they came from and if they've been treated with anything then it's potluck. Sticking them outside in water for a few months would tell you if they'll be OK.

I can't help thinking you could collect your own. I am fortunate that I live next to a forest, but maybe you have trees even in a park near you?

Cheers,

Jools

[AmazonTank]

Thanks Jools for the intel definitely will soak awhile while getting more feedback.
As of now it's not treated & from a clean River I believe brookwood.
They have been in business and have sold to other aquarium hobbyists

[Jools]

I'm not sure of the blackened interiors in the lower two. The vertical one might be a conifer and I'd avoid it. The other two look OK but I don't think many, if any, could ID these to species beyond saying they are probably deciduous and probably OK.

Jools

[AmazonTank]

Thanks Jools I have them soaking now outside.
What should I look for while there soaking? I was thinking if the water starts smelling bad and rotten.

[Bas Pels]

That would be a good incicator, but I would also look the wood pieces over after a few weeks. For dark, rotten pieces. However, as the wood is intended to be eaten, your fish will love these rotten pieces. After all, they live from the rotting bacteria.

[AmazonTank]

Thanks Bas for your message. Good point from the shop the driftwood is from Brookwood River, Alabama prestine river system untreated!

[AmazonTank]

Well after soaking the wood for a few weeks I added to one of my tanks!
So far it's working great, no smell in the soak bucket either.
Soaking bamboo with that stinky water was a task!

[bekateen]

Lol. Indeed, bamboo stinks as it soaks, but it's so good as a spawning cave or hiding place.

The worst wood I ever tried was an old grape vine ( https://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/vie ... 23#p299723). It developed a horribly smelly thick slime. I was hoping the L397 might eat the slime, but they wouldn't touch it. Ugh!

Cheers, Eric

[Shane]

Yeap. We have all made the grape vine mistake!
-Shane