if you get like rocks and such just make sure you boil them i have sticks in my viv from a tree out side i figured that since it was 20degrees out not to many insects would be on them i got them inside and i warmed them up using the hotest water my bath could put out and soaked them really good in the water. just be careful i dont think its all the bad. Its really neat to see your ball in the branch too I like it when he is on it.