Sterilizing Tree Bark

[Kyle The Toad]

I am planning on building a wall consisting of tree bark cuttings. I will stick the cuttings onto cardboard using silicone and then tape the cardboard to the tank's walls. I have to use tape because I do not have anywhere safe to put my toads while the silicone dries. My question is: Do I sterilize tree bark in the same way that I would with stones and wood; bathe in very hot water and bake for an hour?

[RecycledAgain]

I'm curious if you are asking about cork bark or is this a diy bark? You also mentioned toads, what kind of tank are you building what kind of toads?

I assume we are referring to your fire belly's and the thought of tape and cardboard scares me more than any lack of serialization. I am thinking that the condensation will have that falling down in a hurry..


Dan

[Kyle The Toad]

The bark that I will be using was collected from the woods, and yes, I am referring to my fire-bellies. My tank is a paludarium, half-land and half-water. I understand your concern about the cardboard falling off of the wall, but I was planning on putting the tree-bark-wall only on the land side. It would be partially buried in the soil to anchor it, and then tape would be added to the back to completely secure it in place. Now I wish that I would have built a background long before I added plants, soil, gravel and the toads...

[beckdg]

probably bad ideas:
cardboard
tape
boiling/baking

you could:
make a form... and use liquid nails with the finished product... or velcro/double sided mirror/trim tape for cars (imo 3m is the best)
rinse the bark gently if it's not already brittle
do a co2 treatment... not necessarily dry ice, but that works too [disclaimer: make sure it's ventilated and don't EVER touch dry ice]
seal the wood... famowood works apparently

[viva la viv]

What kind of tree bark are you going to use...I asked about this in another thread that went unanswered! I went the self collecting way as well I used the really thick bark off the bottom of a big ol' bam(poplar) tree, It was the closest to cork that i could find One good piece of advice is peal the inside right down to the bark don't leave any stringys on the back of the bark..This is where all the little grubs and maggots will hide also it is the layer that transports sugars up the tree. Then spray foam the back to seal it, this will also keep it solid..birch bark may be the best if it is going to be in water though they make canoes out of it so should be good for a while really moist. Please tell me how your piece worked out for ya.

[RecycledAgain]

We can come up with something abit more durable than cardboard. What about those needle point screens or even egg crate. I was thinking securing it with a couple of dowels at the top of the tank,, you shouldn't be able to see them with a hood. You could pack a little sphagnum in the stray gaps.

As far as sterilization .. I would think a good soak in a bucket and long slow bake would be the best option that I can think of.
Dan

[Kyle The Toad]

Thanks for the ideas, guys. Viva la Viv, I do not know what kind of tree bark it is. I just went to a random tree that had good looking bark and cut some of it off with a knife. I can't spray the foam, because the toads will have to remain in the tank, I don't have anywhere to put them while it dries (unless you meant spray the bark to the cardboard, and then put it in).

Beckdg and Recycled Again, what exactly is wrong with using cardboard?

Beckdg, why don't you want me to sterilize the bark?

And, Recycled Again, how long is a long, slow bake? One hour? Two?

[Tom Highum]

Cardboard doesn't do so good with water.

[Kyle The Toad]

Tom, it will be on the land side, nowhere near water.

[Tom Highum]

Still it will be exposed to humidity. I would definitely recommend something else.