wooden Tank decoration

[Pablo]

Can I use thoroughly washed, water blasted, well aged, old rustic Jarra / Ironwood Railway sleepers (Or parts of) in my freshwater tropical community tank without fear of tannins or other nefarious compounds leaching out? is it still necessary to boil such ancient weathered timbers? what about old weathered totara fence posts, does the same apply? Thanks in advance.

[Faran]

Umm... most old railway sleepers I've seen have been tarred for weatherproofing... I'd stick with driftwood but if you give it a go and everything is okay let us know!

[Caryl]

I too would think the sleepers have tar and stuff on them but they are used to line ponds with aren't they? Or is that just on the outside and the sleepers themselves are not in contact with the pond water?

[Caryl]

Just found this..

"The railway sleepers were kept away from the pond. On hot days tar deposits can seep out, and these are potentially harmful to fish and wildlife."

from the website http://www.bestgardening.com/bgc/design ... deck01.htm

[Warren]

I'd also expect a bit of diesel to have seeped into the sleeper if it's been in use for a long time. Sounds too risky to me...

[Pablo]

Thanks Folks, Ill dispense with that idea. picked up some real old gnarly bits of (rata ?) down at the river (Pohangina river, by the Ruahine Ranges) If i sanitise them very best I can, Do you reckon that would be safe ish?

[Caryl]

I get rata and rimu from the beach at Hokitika where it washes down from the river. I give it a good scrub with a nail brush or old toothbrush, for those small, hard to reach places then rinse well and add it to the tank. Never had a problem.