Readying saltwater driftwood for FW tank use with inverts

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demonte1997

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May 19, 2011
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I just picked up a lot of driftwood at the local beach. It has aged nicely. Thinking about the best way to cleanse it of whatever impurities it has after sitting in the ocean. Or is my idea of using this driftwood even feasible? I'd hate to kill off a tank of prawn.

I have a brook in my backyard that I was thinking about putting the driftwood in and weighing it down under some cinder blocks. Thinking that after two weeks it should be good for the tank?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Rick
 

tolawdjk

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Sep 8, 2010
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Well, if it is of a size to do it, I would do a good fresh water boil. Probably a couple.

Not sure of your prawn sensitivity to salt, but after a good boil, and then a couple week soak, test the water it has been soaking in. If the density is the same, you should be fine, as far as salt content. If you have a copper test kit, test the water that has been soaking in that as well.

Honestly can't think of too much that you would run into with beach aged wood that wouldn't be handled by a good boil. But then, I'm no prawn expert other than they are delicious! :)
 

TL1000RSquid

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Apr 6, 2011
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^^ what he said. I wouldn't put it in a brook never know what type of bacteria or parasites might decide to take up residence. If you can't boil it soak it in a bucket for a couple weeks changing out the water a every couple days and dose it with prime for the last few days soaking.
 

demonte1997

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May 19, 2011
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Thanks for the replies. :)

These pieces are a little too large for boiling so I will try to set up a vat or bucket outside and change out the FW they are in every couple of days.
 

Ballyhoo

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Jun 27, 2010
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Thanks for the replies. :)

These pieces are a little too large for boiling so I will try to set up a vat or bucket outside and change out the FW they are in every couple of days.
When I had a piece too big for boiling I set 4 large pots to boil and when they were boiling filled the tub up with water as hot as it would go and kept adding boiling pots of water to the tub for a few hours. Be warned that it makes your tub super dirty
 
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