Wood that is safe in water

[Repguy27]

How do I tell the difference between sealed Mopani wood and Mopani wood that is not sealed?

[Critter Mom]

Originally Posted by WetBeast

Having had all kinds of woods/roots, both in terrariums and in aquariums, I prefer, by far, the fake wood/roots.

These fake woods are certainly expensive (it depends a lot where you buy them),
but after that, they last for decades, and cannot rot. And there's nothing to boil or bake neither, LOL.

Now, we've got plenty of choice concerning the model we'd like to have.
I agree that back to ten-twenty years ago, the fake wood/roots looked really fake,
but the industry improved a lot,
and it's almost impossible to tell the difference between a true root and a fake one.



This is one piece of fake root I've got for two-three years now in an aquarium, it's just great.

I am so jealous!! They have a working volcano light set-up there that looks really unique and fun, and realistic looking trillobite fossil decorations!! You certainly don't see things like that for sale over here for an aquarium/vivarium. I guess it's more fun in Europe sometimes...

[Johnny O. Farnen]

Originally Posted by Repguy27

How do I tell the difference between sealed Mopani wood and Mopani wood that is not sealed?

By the lable. If it is sold for aquarium use and labled as such, it is unsealed and will need the standard soaking/waterchange treatment before use. If it is sold for reptile use, it is sealed. Some sellers do not distinguish between the two on their labels and many pet shops cannot tell the difference.

If you purchase some that is in doubt, a soak test will reveal the answer.

Let it soak in untreated tap water for 72 hours, if it is unsealed, it will discolor the water brownish. Sealed mopani wood will not discolor the water.

[Colleen]

ME TOO, That was wonderful!!! I know some one that bought cypress for her tank... she said only some cypress? Will it lose toxicity?

[Johnny O. Farnen]

Originally Posted by CaveDweller

ME TOO, That was wonderful!!! I know some one that bought cypress for her tank... she said only some cypress? Will it lose toxicity?

As long as it is what we American's call "Bald Cypress" (which in actuality IS NOT a true cypress), it is safe. Any true Cypress are very bad.

The good news is all pet shop cypress mulch products I have been able to find is in fact Bald Cypress.

[Melmo]

There is this wood sold as "Ghost Wood" on Blackjungle...and I have no idea what kind it really is. The whole ghost thing is probably just marketing, because it's all white. It caught my eye because it works great in moist environments and moss grows on it fast. From what heard, it's sandblasted Manzanita. Is that kind of would safe, because on the Caudata Cutlure article, there wasn't anything about it in the good and bad woods section.

Wood For Wet Habitats: Black Jungle Terrarium Supply

[Johnny O. Farnen]

The stuff sold as "ghost wood" was not included in the article as I was unable to positively prove it is always manzanita. I purchased some a few years back that was in fact sandblasted grape wood. Sometimes it is "swamp wood" (unidentified wood harvested from marshes and bogs) Of all the sources on the web at the time the article was researched, everyone was out of stock on it. I did not inquire about it because of this.

It may be a wise idea to give them a call or drop them an email with questions on their product. (I will attempt to get in touch with them and a few other dealers and see what I can find out...may be a while before I can get to that though.)