Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a very interesting piece of wood, from a "butterfly bush" that died and dried out very well. It looks like a small tree with mangrove-like roots that would serve very well (when the whole piece is trimmed properly) in my dendrobate encloser. Would this wood get too moldy and break down very quickly or would it last. It has been outside for possibly almost a year, exposed to a NJ winter and plenty of rain. It seems to be fine. If it's ok to use, what would be the best way of making sure its clean...hand washing? I am positive it is without pesticides. Thanks,
-Sean

I really have no idea how long that branch would last in a tank. I would say go for it and take it out when it goes bad. Half the fun is creating tanks anyways!

To disinfect, most people using a 10% bleach solution. Just make sure you rinse the bleach off really good.

Others don't disinfect. If you disinfect you kill all life on the limb (which could include some nice treats for your frogs), but if you don't disinfect, you could be adding some bad stuff (like coccidia (sp?)).

I like to play it safe and disinfect, but to each his own.
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Josh Willard
www.joshsfrogs.com

The butterfly bush I know as a shrub, probably won't last long in a tropical tank, but it will become a part of the substrate, if it doesn't.

I'm a non-sterilizer, because I like the different things that crop up from introduced, simply washed off, wood. I don't think you have a concern with any intestinal parasites such as coccidia, that would be a problem with darts from collected wood of any source. That's just not the way these parasites are transmitted. Darts may come with their own coccidia parasite load. Unless they are stressed or immunocompromised in some way, they are in balance with this. Some people do regular parasite checks and even treat prophylactically on a regular basis, but that's another topic and a different argument. Josh is more careful with sanitizing. We each do what works for us and what we feel comfortable with.

On the other hand, the butterfly bush will break down fast in a humid vivarium, so essentially will be like putting in leaf mold in the long run. No harm either way.

For something more permanent, you could try Osage orange, Manzanita, cypress root (swamp cypress), Mountain mahogany, depending upon where you live and can collect. Never use pine or resinous branches from any of the conifers. They contain turpentines, but you can try any of the hardwoods. Cork bark, which you will have to purchase, is great.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus

Thanks a ton for all your very helpful responces. I'll look into getting these different woods; cork bark I have available. The butterfly bush has dried very very hard, been through a full summer , hard winter, and spring. I'll try it, because of the specific shape of it (basically like a small tree; mangrove-like roots that I will trim accordingly and large base), it should not collapse and cause harm. Thanks very much,
-Sean