Introducing bogwood to your aquarium: a beginner's guide

[darnasuspect]

Hi,

I just picked up a piece of planted bogwood from my local fish store today. It was in one of their tanks so I know it's been well cared for, but I'm a bit concerned about any potential hitchhikers. I usually boil bogwood before adding it to my tank to get rid of any unwanted critters - I learned my lesson the hard way with a pest snail infestation.

Given this one's already planted with java fern, boiling isn't an option. So, what's the best way to ensure the plant stays healthy while getting rid of any potential pests?

[hillsman]

You could try a snail treatment, but in a separate container first. That way, you can target any unwanted hitchhikers without risking the health of your java fern. Just bear in mind that even after treatment, the bogwood will likely still have some residual chemicals on it, which could harm any invertebrates in your main tank.

[boomer]

I'd take a more cautious approach. Place the bogwood in a quarantine tank, just as you would with new fish. This way, you can ensure it's free from any potential fish-related issues, like pathogens or parasites, that might have been present in the store tank.

Adding any chemicals or substances to the water can seep into the wood and potentially cause harm to your aquatic life later on. This includes bacteria and invertebrates, not just fish. I'm a strong believer in avoiding any substances that could contaminate the water and stress your fish.

As for snails, I don't see them as a problem. In fact, I consider them a valuable part of a healthy aquarium ecosystem. They're beneficial and play a crucial role in the biology of your tank.

[darnasuspect]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. I'm always a bit wary of using chemicals, so I'd rather avoid them if possible. I've had a bad experience with pests before, so I'm being extra cautious this time around.

It's not just snails I'm concerned about, there are other types of bugs that could be lurking in the bogwood. I'm thinking things like springtails, or even worse, something like a spider mite infestation. What are the chances of these types of pests being present in bogwood from a local fish store?

[boomer]

I appreciate the advice from both of you, and I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one hesitant to use chemicals. It's not just snails I'm concerned about, but other types of bugs that might be lurking in the bogwood.

To answer your question, I think the main concern is pathogens from fish, if the tank at the LFS had fish in it. These pathogens can cause disease in other organisms, and while quarantining the wood in a fishless tank for several weeks can help, it's impossible to be 100% sure it's free of all pathogens.

I also worry that the wood can absorb anything dissolved in the water, which might not be released for months or even years. However, I believe there's a limit to how cautious we can be. I've had plenty of real wood in my tanks, purchased from fish stores, and while I've had a couple of issues over the years - once with something toxic leaching out of a piece of wood after two years, and another time with a toxic fungus in a branch of grapewood - the benefits of using real wood in my aquascape have outweighed the minimal risks.

[shakinStevens]

I've come across a method where people briefly submerge plants in salt water to eliminate unwanted critters, although I'm unsure of the exact salt-to-gallon ratio. The process involves a saltwater dip, followed by a thorough rinse of the wood and plant, then returning them to a freshwater quarantine tank to remove excess salt and ensure any remaining bugs are eliminated. If necessary, the dip can be repeated. It's essential to frequently cycle the water in the quarantine and monitor the GH or TDS levels. Once these levels are equal to or lower than the water in your main tank and the wood is bug-free, it can be safely transferred.

[darnasuspect]

Thanks again, I've got the wood soaking in some dechlorinated water, I'll leave it overnight and see how it goes, will be keeping an eye on it.

[boomer]

Thanks again, wood is currently soaking in some dechlorinated water which I'll leave overnight and see what's what.

Ironically, you might want to soak the wood in chlorinated water, as chlorine is effective in killing bacteria. However, I'd advise against this if your tap water contains chloramine. Chlorine dissipates quickly, and any residual amounts that might leach from the wood would be harmless to fish. On the other hand, chloramine is a different story.

Personally, I'm fortunate to have only chlorine in my tap water. When I'm doing a 100% water change in a fishless quarantine tank, I don't bother dechlorinating the water. Plants seem to thrive with chlorine, so it's not a concern for them.

[darnasuspect]

I'd take a more cautious approach. Place the bogwood in a quarantine tank, just as you would with new fish. This way, you can ensure it's free from any potential fish-related issues, like pathogens or parasites, that might have been present in the store tank.

Adding any chemicals or substances to the water can seep into the wood and potentially cause harm to your aquatic life later on. This includes bacteria and invertebrates, not just fish. I'm a strong believer in avoiding any substances that could contaminate the water and stress your fish.

As for snails, I don't see them as a problem. In fact, I consider them a valuable part of a healthy aquarium ecosystem. They're beneficial and play a crucial role in the biology of your tank.

Thanks again, wood is currently soaking in some dechlorinated water which I'll leave overnight and see what's what.

Ironically, you might want to soak the wood in chlorinated water. Chlorine does kill bacteria, which is why it's added to drinking water. Though if your water authority uses chloramine, I wouldn't do this. Chlorine readily dissipates out of water, and even if some did leach out of the wood, it would have no effect on the fish. Chloramine is different, though.

I'm lucky I only have chlorine in my tap water, and if fish aren't present in a tank, I do 100% water changes without dechlorinating the water. Plants are fine, as they need chlorine.

I checked my water supplier information, and there's no mention of chloramine.

After soaking it for a few hours, I found a passenger - some sort of shrimp. It was just a baby, and unfortunately, I squished it while trying to remove it (RIP Shrimpy).

My tank is newly cycled, and I'm not risking any fish by putting the wood in yet. I'll add it later during a big water change, so I can arrange my tank with minimal water. I'll snack dose the tank every few days until I decide on my first group of fish. I won't be fully stocking at once, as I want Neon Tetras later on when the tank has matured.

[littleking]

I completely agree with boomer's approach to preparing wood for the main tank. In my experience, boiling wood is unnecessary and only accelerates its breakdown. Instead, I've found that pouring hot water directly over the wood helps eliminate any potential issues. I then submerge the wood in a plastic tub filled with untreated water, adding an airstone or small powerhead to create gentle circulation.

I leave the wood to soak for 2-3 weeks, changing the water if it becomes discolored with tannins. After this period, I repeat the hot water treatment and rinse the wood under the tap before adding it to the tank. This process serves multiple purposes: ensuring the wood is safe, reducing tannins, and allowing it to become fully waterlogged. Many new pieces of wood from LFS tend to float due to inadequate waterlogging, so this method helps resolve that issue.

If I were to purchase a piece of wood with plants, I would follow the same procedure, but with a few adjustments. I'd avoid using hot water to prevent damaging the plant and might add a small amount of fertilizer to the water to promote healthy growth. Overall, this approach has worked well for me, and I believe it's a reliable way to prepare wood for the main tank.