driftwood/rocks

Boiling water and a tooth brush should clean a piece of driftwood up fine to put into your tank. I think you can do a acid or somting test on rocks to see if there suitable for aquarium use. I think it involves pouring vinigar on them and if it bubbles its bad ?

Vinegar may or may not bubble or foam on alkaline rocks. Better is a stronger acid, like Muratic acid, which can be found at almost any hardware store. If the rock is limestone though, and you know it for sure, no need to test, it will dissolve in water over time and raise the pH. Better is something like slate or granite which are both inert, chemically inactive. The acid test is a good way to know for sure.

We use slate, here's info on DW,, http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99665

I just picked up some random rocks in my backyard and put them into my tank after I hosed em off. They work good, look nice enough for what I'm trying to accomplish. I never really thought about any kind of rocks harming my fish, I just checked em to see if anything was weird on them before I put them in

But then again I don't do a single thing right or recommended (usually do it before I learn the right way), but my tank is still doing awesome.

I used rocks from my yard... that have worked out for me... I got some really nice driftwood from Pacific Aquarium on delancy street in nyc... they also have a good selection of rocks, many types...

I just got back from the city, and had been looking for manzanita branches for the paludarium I am building... found a great source for them, as well as some other assorted wood, beautiful selection... it was on 28th street between 6th and 7th avenue. her prices were really low compared to the fish store prices as well... I took a pic for you. it's blurry, but should help you ID the store front. It was called Dry & Silk

I'd definately figure out what woods you're ok with for your tank before going, I asked her a few questions, but once I mentioned fish tanks, she didn't know anything. I am sure what I got is fine, but saw a few NICE burls that were probably not ok for the tank...

I got 2 large branches like the ones on the left, but not sandblasted, for 18 bucks...