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Would elm ("down" and in the sun for a couple of years) be an acceptable choice for an aquarium? If so, what ought I to do to the wood before adding it?

Hopefully the wood hasn't been in a commercial, industrial, or busy residential area, where it might have been treated for bugs, fertilized, or absorbed some polutants from an industrial area.

Otherwise, you can boil the wood and let it sit in water (not in tank with fish) for a few weeks or so, so that tannins or any other chemicals can leach out.

All from a semi-residential, agriculturally zoned area and not treated with pesticides or herbicides for at least the last four years of the tree's life.

I'll admit cost does figure into it (the price for a decent piece of wood at the fish shop --!!) but the other thing on my mind has been that I *know* this wood. I cut this wood, I gather this wood, and I know what a quiet, peaceful, no-preservatives added life these particular elms have.

Fortunately I'll be starting with little fish, so I can use a little branch. Someday I will have to figure out exactly how one boils a sizeable log....

I boiled mine in the huge pan we cook our turkeys in for Thanksgiving! It's large and has a lid. Maybe if you don't have something big enough you could check out a garage sale or thrift store for a big, hefty-sized pan?

I do have a very large canning kettle (and the propane stand and burner -- really large pots don't boil evenly on the average stove) so that will be fine. I was thinking that eventually (it would be major overkill in the beginning when all the fish will be small) of a 3-4 foot length.

I'm sure they won't be deprived with "just" lengths that will fit in a canning kettle, though!

Your fish will love you for all the thought you've put into this. *L*