|
 Overview
The old
style (CCA) treated lumber is slowly being phased out, but will probably be
available until 2010. The new style lumber treated with copper sulfate is not
much better as far as fish compatibility goes, as even small amounts of Copper
leaching out of the treated wood, can
kill fish!
The reason
for not wanting pressure treated CCA wood over a pond is the Arsenic and/or Copper in the pressure
treated wood, can build up in the water by the leaching effects of rain or even
heavy dew and kill the fish and probably the
bacteria in the filter. In addition, some of the chemicals from the pressure
treated wood may stabilize ammonia so it cannot be converted by the
bacteria, or the bacteria may die off so fast that no biological treatment may
be possible with the chemicals from pressure treated lumber present.
Safety
First
To be safe, neither the CCA or the Copper Sulfate treated wood should
be used over a pond and certainly never
in submerged applications.
Both kinds should be painted with a
sealant, if there is any chance the water will come in contact with the
wood, this however will weather off yearly and must be redone..
Other
construction materials to consider:
Man
made resin composites
Redwood
Cedar
Cypress
More
Information
Copper and heavy metals in Ponds
Activated Carbon has been shown to adsorb
Arsenic
Conclusion
Stay away from pressure treated lumber around, over and in
your pond, there are plenty of alternatives available.
|
