Bamboo in an Aquarium

[lkunz]

I'm am going to be starting an Asian tank. I decided to use hollowed bamboo (2"-3" diameter) for tunnels and hidding places. I carved the pieces, hollowed them out, and sanded any sharp edges. Then, I set them in a bucket of dechlorinated water to waterlog them ensuring they would stay submerged.

My plan was to give them a good scrubbing and boil each piece before adding it to the tank.

Today, when the bucket water was changed, a rancid smell came from the bamboo pieces.

Has anyone every put bamboo in an aquarium? Will the smell remain? Is there anything else I need to do to make the pieces toxin free?

Thank you.

 

[TKOS]

I think if you do a search in the forum you will find that this topic came up awhile back and I think it was decided that bamboo didn't work well.

Where did you get this bamboo? Was it from a comercial source? If so then perhaps the bamboo was treated to prevent rot, with either an oil or varnish or some other chemical that could be causing the smell.

 

[yashinfan]

Yea, I think it will rot like any other piece of wood that is not treated. You know the bamboo pieces that have glazed coating? Those are the only one's that wouldn't rot, but I don't know if they would be harmful to your aquarium.

 

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

if its smells now it will later so unless you like the smell i wouldnt do it IMO pvc pipe covered in silicon and rolled in sand does a good job also