goldy wrote:
have you ever used normal drift wood that is collected from the beach in Ireland. I have collected a bit from Bray and as yet havent used it in the tank. I have washed it down and left it in the back garden to the elements for a few months. My next step is to boil it and then I will try out a small bit. I am a bit nervous of it but thought you might have had some experiene with it. thanks

Nessa I have a shed full of the stuff, never had any problems using stuff from the beach, I usually just clean it off with a wire brush and store it for a while inside. I only use stuff thats totally dry. The only usual problem is that it generally floats for a couple of weeks if not weighted down in the tank, after a while it stays down by itself. Just make sure its clean looking no bark etc and dry, thats the main thing really.

Have used a lot of it with no problems to tank or fish.

thanks for that peter. I have a back garden full of it and the kids keep running away with it so I think a good scrub is on the cards and then let it dry. Not an easy thing to do in this country so indoors with it. The next problem is where to stash it.....anyway thanks for that it has put my mind at ease about using it in my tank.