Olga in Vancouver is looking for wood for her new Paludarium. Olga, I have read somewhere that beech wood is ok in an aquarium. It's non-toxic (composted beech leaves are said to make a good substrate for crypts) and does not leach to any great extent. And you should be able to find it in BC. Use the usual precautions w/respect to environmental contaminants before using it. Mike Waterloo, Ontario