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	Wood!?
coop Enthusiast Posts: 168 Kudos: 60 Votes: 2 Registered: 25-Jan-2006	I found a really old fallen over tree in the bush today, it had a great looking root sysem on it. I took the saw down and cut a nice piece of the root system. Is it possible to put this in my tank after treating it?
Posted 10-Jun-2006 06:00
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Unless its eucalyptus it can be done. However it'll take extensive prep before it'll be ready for the tank. You'll need to make sure there was nothing growing on or in the wood, then get it soaking to sink. I'd suggest boiling it for 20 minutes or so then letting it soak for a few weeks changing the water daily. Weight down the wood if it's floating too much at the begining. I've used a few pices of wild caught deadwood but it does carry an additional risk over buying a piece. ^_^
Posted 10-Jun-2006 07:37
coop Enthusiast Posts: 168 Kudos: 60 Votes: 2 Registered: 25-Jan-2006	well i think it might be eucolyptus coz that is the dominant tree around here, although it might not be but im not going to take the chance thanx
Posted 10-Jun-2006 09:31
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	Your own answer is correct it is not worth all the trouble it can/will cause if you have made a mistake. I have collected several pieces over the years but all have come from North Tropical Quensland which have been in the sea and sun bleached for many years and I have never had a problem. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos 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 18-Jun-2006 05:56
coop Enthusiast Posts: 168 Kudos: 60 Votes: 2 Registered: 25-Jan-2006	yeah wel i found a peice of driftwood at the beach theother day, it came in with the king tide we had a month or so ago. i live on the southcoast of N.S.W. cold water!!! it is bleached heaps and it looks as if its been in the ocean for ages. it is around 3 and a half feet long(going in a 4ft tank) i was wondering what would be the best way to cure driftwood this size? i dont like the idea of using bleach solution.
Posted 18-Jun-2006 09:09
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Let me get some clarification here, is this driftwood from a saltwater beach or a freashwater river or pond? If it's saltwater you'll never get all the salt out of the wood and it can not be put in the tank safely. If it's freshwater you need to kill any living organisms in it, bleach is often the easiest way for large pieces. Since bleach breaks down under UV if done properly using bleach can be okay. ^_^
Posted 18-Jun-2006 10:43
Cicolid Small Fry Posts: 2 Kudos: 0 Votes: 0 Registered: 18-Jun-2006	G'day Coop.. I have used Eucalyptus wood in my tank, including Jarrah, Tuart & Red Gum.... I live on a bush block in SW of WA & have heaps of old fallen trees around.. I boil all the wood first in an old crab-pot for at least 30 mins, then soak it in a wheelie-bin until the tannin has stopped leaching,this can take several weeks... If the tannin does not bother you OK..If it does you can buy filter inserts from your LFS to eliminate this.. BTW..The catfish & pleco's love it.. Hope this helps Cheers Col
Posted 19-Jun-2006 02:42
Posted 19-Jun-2006 02:42	This post has been deleted
coop Enthusiast Posts: 168 Kudos: 60 Votes: 2 Registered: 25-Jan-2006	it is salt water hence me saying it has been in the ocean. i have 2 small bits of driftwood from that beach in with my rams...they dont seem to mind. most bits of driftwood that we get in our LFS come from the ocean anyway. Brand: ocean free the label says cured free of any salt. i was asking how wood i cure a bit that big?
Posted 19-Jun-2006 09:58
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	Buy a large plastic garbage bin (Bunnings) and soak one end at a time. I good hosing would also help. The pieces I have used have always been sun bleached and the locations I go to they could have been there for many years. I have always found then above the tide line, meaning they get there when the high king tides and monsoonal seasons push them up very high up there beach and into the sandunes. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos 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 20-Jun-2006 03:57
coop Enthusiast Posts: 168 Kudos: 60 Votes: 2 Registered: 25-Jan-2006	ok, will do thanx
Posted 20-Jun-2006 09:34


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