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	Floating Driftwood
amackattack Enthusiast Posts: 299 Kudos: 84 Votes: 0 Registered: 18-Dec-2001	Just purchased a piece of DW from my LFS. Not sure of the type, but it is redish in color and I have seen it in many fish tanks. Anyway, when I put it in my tank, unlike the last piece I bought, it did not sink, it went straight to the surface and floated. I stuck it in a bucket of water where it has been for a week now. I just tried putting it back in the tank today, and no change, although it felt heavier. Any advice to speed this process up or is it just a matter of "hurry up and wait"? Thanks, amackattack
Posted 31-Jan-2010 07:03
Shinigami Ichthyophile Catfish/Oddball Fan Posts: 9962 Kudos: 2915 Registered: 22-Feb-2001	Some people boil the driftwood. This forces the air out and the water in. I've never tried this before, though, and it requires a sizeable pot if the wood isn't a small piece. You could also try putting a rock on it, if possible, to make it sink. -------------------------------------------- The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.
Posted 31-Jan-2010 07:12
amackattack Enthusiast Posts: 299 Kudos: 84 Votes: 0 Registered: 18-Dec-2001	I can not boil it. It is sticking out of a 5 gal bucket right now. I tried a rock for about 30 seconds, then got scared it might fall with unmentionable concequences. Any way you know to stabilize it with a rock on it? Thanks, amackattack
Posted 31-Jan-2010 07:21
lowlight Enthusiast Posts: 166 Kudos: 94 Registered: 03-Apr-2005	Just be patient and it will eventually sink.
Posted 31-Jan-2010 07:56
amackattack Enthusiast Posts: 299 Kudos: 84 Votes: 0 Registered: 18-Dec-2001	I figured that, but was hoping for a magic bullet. Oh well, wait it is. Thanks
Posted 31-Jan-2010 08:19
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	With out seeing the DW in the bucket it is a bit hard to tell you what to do. Can you get a bigger bucket. Tying it down put the brick underneath the DW and pull it down rather than trying to sink it. Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 31-Jan-2010 08:25
Callatya Moderator The girl's got crabs! Posts: 9662 Kudos: 5261 Registered: 16-Sep-2001	Can you strap it to the rock, put the rock on the bottom so it cannot fall? Sometimes I've seen it screwed to pieces of slate, but I expect cable ties and a rock would work just as well. To make sure it is secure though, a floaty bit of wood under pressure could well break your lids if it came free. I usually soak driftwood in the bath, periodically changing the water. It takes longer the harder the wood is. For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett
Posted 31-Jan-2010 14:48
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	I've used other pieces of driftwood in combo with rocks to kinda wedge new pieces below the waterline, then work out the scape once the wood is no longer floating. Sometimes you end up getting a good layout from starting with what sometimes looks like just a jumbled mass! Fishing line can also work to help tie it, just be sure to trim up the ends where you tie so no one gets their eye poked! Since it already feels heavier it sounds promising that you'll get it sunk soon . ^_^
Posted 31-Jan-2010 21:57
amackattack Enthusiast Posts: 299 Kudos: 84 Votes: 0 Registered: 18-Dec-2001	Think I am going to try tying it to a rock (I like the slate idea) to keep it down. Until then, it is still soaking up some more water. thanks, amackattack
Posted 01-Feb-2010 08:41
brandeeno Mega Fish Posts: 929 Kudos: 636 Registered: 13-Sep-2007	if you can find a large enough pot (ask neighbors or check thrift/goodwill stores) i alwasy boil my DW because (A) it kills all the nasties that could be on the wood (even if it was at a LFS you still dont know what dirty hands touched it!)... it also leeches out alot of the tannins and helps it to sink.... on top of that if you have any critters that will be grazing on the wood it gives a nice soft little layer for plecos, shrimp, and etc to pick what they want without having to wait for it to be soft (which can be MONTHS). \\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"
Posted 04-Feb-2010 00:11


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