What kinds of wood is reef safe?

[Alpha_and_Gec]

Thinking of whittling some wooden hats and decorations for my urchin. However, I am not sure what kind of wood will be the safest and tolerate water the best. Anyone used wooden deco before?

 

[CoralB]

Floating of your wood hats might be a issue !

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

Floating of your wood hats might be a issue !

I've got old sinkwood that had been in my ray tank back when I kept them. Thinking of doing those, but I have no idea if they're dense enough to carve or clean enough to be safe. I'd prefer to use structural wood, since I can always stuff a coin in there to make it sink.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

The issues are pH drop. We use wood in fresh water to help with low pH fish, black water tank as an example use wood and dead plant material to keep low pH.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

The issues are pH drop. We use wood in fresh water to help with low pH fish, black water tank as an example use wood and dead plant material to keep low pH.

Is that a problem with wood in general or just specific wood types? My pH holds just fine, so I guess I'll find another material if wood doesn't work out.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Is that a problem with wood in general or just specific wood types? My pH holds just fine, so I guess I'll find another material if wood doesn't work out.

From what I understand, all dead plant material has tannins, part of the break down process which is acidic. These acids cause the pH drop.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

From what I understand, all dead plant material has tannins, part of the break down process which is acidic. These acids cause the pH drop.

oh wait this is a tannins problem?
dang, guess imma go with 3d - printed cool hats then.

 

[seanarino]

The tannins are usually only a temporary issue + with the size of urchin hats shouldn't be a problem at all if you have a tank that big (that can handle urchins) + with your filtration.

 

[Stomatopods17]

Don’t drop a coin in the tank especially with inverts.

My personal concern would be the integrity of the wood in saltwater, I see what a little bit of salt creep does to wooden canopies over time.

 

[jda]

Any wood that is pet or cutting board safe is probably fine in a larger tank. I would avoid stuff that is known to have issues or carcinogens like Sasafrass.

Maple, walnut, American cherry, teak might be good choices.

 

[WheatToast]

oh wait this is a tannins problem?
dang, guess imma go with 3d - printed cool hats then.

Alternatively, you could coat the hats with aquarium resin.