Orchid bark on hanger back

[Ghost_Council]

Hey all, 

question for anyone who may know

 

I have a hanger back slotted orchid pot resting in the back of my tank. I have my pothos planted in it with orchid bark loosely covering the roots. I looked up orchid bark and it appears to be a high quality fir bark. I was wondering if it’ll have any long term negative effects on my tank? It’s untreated so there aren’t any extra chems that would leech into the tank. Has anyone ever used it before and to what affect?

Edited September 13, 2021 by Ghost_Council

[Zenzo]

On 9/13/2021 at 3:07 PM, Ghost_Council said:

Hey all, 

question for anyone who may know

 

I have a hanger back slotted orchid pot resting in the back of my tank. I have my pothos planted in it with orchid back loosely covering the roots. I looked up orchid bark and it appears to be a high quality fir bark. I was wondering if it’ll have any long term negative effects on my tank? It’s untreated so there aren’t any extra chems that would leech into the tank. Has anyone ever used it before and to what affect?

People use orchid bark in their substrate for terrariums sometimes, so it is probably okay. I would think that a couple of issues that you may have would be a change in water parameters from the decomposing bark (maybe some tannins too), and mold growing on the surface of the bark if it is immersed. 

 

[Ghost_Council]

On 9/13/2021 at 6:29 PM, Zenzo said:

People use orchid bark in their substrate for terrariums sometimes, so it is probably okay. I would think that a couple of issues that you may have would be a change in water parameters from the decomposing bark (maybe some tannins too), and mold growing on the surface of the bark if it is immersed. 

 

Good deal. I’ll probably just keep an eye out for mold over the next day or two. I don’t mind the dark water, and dropping the pH is actually preferable. (Raising tetras). Thanks for lookin. 

[Patrick_G]

I’ve worked with lots of fir in my profession. It think the problem using it it in an aquarium is it’s high resin content and the possibility of adding VOCs to the tank. I’m not sure of this, just an educated guess. 

Edited September 14, 2021 by Patrick_G

[Torrey]

Does the bark still smell like pine/fir?

Is it sticky in any way?

Those are the two ways to check if there is still resin / sap in the bark.

 

I have an entire pine tree log in my 4' tank. Guppies are thriving, as are the snails. I just made sure it had fully dried and the resin was no longer sappy.

 

I have some orchid bark decomposing with my amphopods (as well as the orchid flowers that fell off the orchid plant).

 

Again, everyone in the tank is thriving.

Just remember to test water parameters regularly for the first couple of months, and if you don't want green algae growing on top of the orchid bark, I recommend covering with some moss.

I'm sure your tetras will be thrilled with the tannins!

[Ghost_Council]

On 9/13/2021 at 9:24 PM, Torrey said:

Does the bark still smell like pine/fir?

Is it sticky in any way?

Those are the two ways to check if there is still resin / sap in the bark.

 

I have an entire pine tree log in my 4' tank. Guppies are thriving, as are the snails. I just made sure it had fully dried and the resin was no longer sappy.

 

I have some orchid bark decomposing with my amphopods (as well as the orchid flowers that fell off the orchid plant).

 

Again, everyone in the tank is thriving.

Just remember to test water parameters regularly for the first couple of months, and if you don't want green algae growing on top of the orchid bark, I recommend covering with some moss.

I'm sure your tetras will be thrilled with the tannins!

I’ll go sniff the bark tomorrow. I test parameters weekly, just started dosing the plants in the tank with simple green so I’ll be watching my numbers like a hawk as is, add this new variable to the pile lol. Glad to have someone’s first hand experience to help calm my concerns.  Thanks for lookin. 

[Ghost_Council]

On 9/13/2021 at 8:24 PM, Patrick_G said:

I’ve worked with lots of fir in my profession. It think the problem using it it in an aquarium is it’s high resin content and the possibility of adding VOCs to the tank. I’m not sure of this, just an educated guess. 

Enlighten me, what’s a VOC. I wouldn’t want to poison my aquatic friends. Should I pull my pot and do more research?

[Odd Duck]

On 9/13/2021 at 8:45 PM, Ghost_Council said:

Enlighten me, what’s a VOC. I wouldn’t want to poison my aquatic friends. Should I pull my pot and do more research?

Volatile organic compounds.  The piney smell from fresh cut lumber, for one example.

[Ghost_Council]

On 9/13/2021 at 9:46 PM, Odd Duck said:

Volatile organic compounds.  The piney smell from fresh cut lumber, for one example.

Very good. Thank you for letting me know. I’m gonna pull the pot for tonight and scrutinize it thoroughly tomorrow. 
 

I appreciate the perspective. 

[gardenman]

You should be fine. Most commercial orchid mixes (at least the one's I've used) have been thoroughly dried and cooked in an oven to sterilize them before being bagged. That cooking process would drive off any VOCs or other issues you'd likely have issues with.

[Jungle Fan]

A friend who doesn't have a cat as I do has Pothos as a hanger back in his tank but it is just the bare root held by rubber twist ties also known as gear ties which can be bent any which way you need them, no substrate required. As a matter of fact he first removes all substrate residue from the Pothos, Peace lilies, or Flamigo flowers he uses.