Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I don't know if this has been discussed or not, but the prouct name didn't turn up in a search, so...
Having read some concerns about using pressure treated wood over GBs and FTs and the chemicals leaching back in, I remembered a This Old House episode where they talked about using "glass filled lumber" in a garden planter because it was non-toxic. Googling turned up a product called Timbersil that fits the description and claims to be all that we could hope for in a bug-free, rot-free, non-toxic building product for hanging grow towers or building trellises. Has anyone had any experience with this stuff?

Rhame

G'day Jimbo, I use LOSP or ACQ treated timber in projects where children or plants are involved. I'm sure there would be an equivalent in the US. This is still pressure treated but does not contain arsenic or heavy metals. Try googling these acronyms..from memory LOSP is 'light organic solvent preservative' not sure about ACQ.

Never heard of glass filled lumber...will search on it.

The C in ACQ stands for copper....may be a no-no in AP. I use it for raised beds in my dirt gardens though.

Dunno about the wood, but nice Kribensis in your avatar pic. I have too many of them in my tropical aquarium, the randy buggers

Hi Richard,
this little beauty was a bachelor (or old maid?) in my 120Gallon tank. Didn't want an aggresive couple during spawning time going after the rest of the community. Unfortunately this is a memorial picture.

Rhame

Yeah they are very aggressive. My first two were a pair named Homer and Marge after you know who, and have long gone but all their descendants live on. I have 3 breeding pairs in the one tank now, and the place is very busy
I need to get the fish trap in there and thin them out again. The nursery around the corner takes them from me.

What type of fish is in your avatar?

I'm building an aquarium AP setup and am just starting to learn about the tons of fish you can keep in them.

Scientific name is pelvicachromis pulcher or pelmatachromis pulcher (depending on who you talk to) but is commonly referred to as a kribensis cichlid. A single one will usually do well in a community tank. He will establish his own turf centered around something in the tank. A breeding pair will get VERY aggressive. About 2" long and beautiful if not kind of a funny shape.

Rhame

Don't think there is such a thing as non-toxic treated wood. I wouldn't trust them near edible fish and veg. IMHO.

This product as it was explained on the show does not use pesticide or creosote or similar chemicals to treat the wood. It...
Rather than me explain it, here from their website:

_________________________________
"TimberSIL®’s revolutionary process combines two ancient materials, wood and glass, to transform real wood with all its benefits, into extraordinary wood without the drawbacks. TimberSIL® offers powerful reasons to switch back to wood today.

Move Up From Unconvincing Imitations to Extraordinary Real Wood
TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products:
better features, matching costs, best value

TimberSIL® Glass Wood brings wood back to its rightful place - the top of the list of desirable product choices – for siding, roofing, structural framing, decking, tongue and groove flooring, windows, shingles, and more. TimberSIL® customers enjoy the elegance and beauty of an extraordinary real wood that provides the best price value, the best health value (non-toxic), the best performance, and the best value for the environment.

TimberSIL® Glass Wood – is REAL WOOD that is:

more stable, safer, stronger,
an effective fire retardant,
long lasting, low maintenance,
beautiful to look at, cool to the touch, and
lower in cost than most wood simulations and look-alikes.
With TimberSIL®, everyone can have what we really want – beautiful, real wood that matches price and out performs imitation products.

TimberSIL® - Locked in For Life™

TimberSIL® is a non-toxic fusion of two natural materials – wood and glass, producing an ideal natural product and a combination of properties never achieved before. More than wood and more than glass, TimberSIL® combines the best of both bringing a transformation to wood.

Wow! Homeowners and builders can really benefit from this marriage of wood and glass! TimberSIL® is many times stronger than composite products; because the glassy portion parallels the grain of wood, greatly increasing strength. The wood fibers are stronger, causing nails, screws, and fasteners to hold more tightly because the glassy portion strengthens the fibers. TimberSIL® products maintain their shape better because the glass in TimberSIL® is resistant to warping. TimberSIL® products are Class A fire retardants because glass’s natural resistance to fire overcomes the combustible properties of wood.

The TimberSIL® Glass Wood fusion forms a barrier of amorphous glass which surrounds and fuses with the fibers in wood, protecting the wood fibers from rot, decay, and common wood problems, while creating a new Super-Wood with superior properties. The TimberSIL® barrier is permanent, non-toxic, and non-corrosive.

And yet in appearance, workability and feel, the familiar properties of wood predominate. TimberSIL® has the great look, and the familiar touch and feel of wood. Wood workers and builders appreciate the way it can be cut, sawn, drilled, hammered, nailed, and shaped. TimberSIL® accepts paints and stains readily and effectively. TimberSIL® provides a stable, inert surface for coatings that ensures an unusually long life and very low maintenance. TimberSIL® is cool to the touch on a hot summer day.
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After wading through all that marketing mumbo-jumbo, it seems to be glass-impregnated wood? Reading some construction forums discussing it, it seemed the only concern would be wearing respirator/masks to protect from silica compouonds in the air while cutting it.
I wondered if anyone here could weigh in on it. Maybe knows more about the "amorphous glass"-does it solidify permanently(bonded to the wood as they say) or might some fibers leech out and harm fish/plants/us down the line?

If its safe, it seems awesome for our purpose.

Hi Jimbo,

I was refering to Chippys use of LOSP and ACQ in AP, but that timber your talking about does sound good for AP Good luck with your search

Thanks Jorgy...and nice truck! I use to have a '72 F100. Never could overload it. Haul whatever I want as long as the electrical gremlin was in a cooperative mood that day.

Rhame