How to treat this wood?
I was at the back of my property and scored some massive wood pieces that I would love to use in my aquarium (houses a slider turtle) and my terrarium (houses a leopard gecko)
Ive seen various treating methods and would like to know the best way to treat these to ensure they’re as safe as possible for my boys. Most of what gets dumped back there is eastern red cedar, but it’s hard to tell as this stuff is pretty old and I’m not familiar with most wood types. I know many conifers are not the first choice to use, but these pieces are well-dried and without any sap smell, which is typically what I see recommended when dealing with conifers in aquarium tanks.
Ive seen baking and boiling as common options, but I want to make sure I’m making these as safe as possible. These are also some pretty massive chunks so I will have to get creative with how to soak/boil them (I’m thinking that commandeering the bathtub might be my best option)
Currently what I’m planning to do is power wash, remove any bark and decaying stuff, spray on a vinegar/water mixture to help kill bacteria, and then soak in a hot bathtub off and on until the water runs clear. What else should I do to ensure maximum safety? Am I able to make it safe?