Aquarium Decoration

[mark4785]

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of completing my fishless cycle so you may be wondering why I'd like to discuss aquarium decor so early. The reason is due to the fact that I'd like to install what is called 'bogwood' or 'dry aquarium eco rock'. These are both natural decorative items and I've read that it can take weeks to prepare them for use in aquarium water. So with this in mind, I'd like get my hands on one of these items as early as possible so that when my fishless cycle is complete, the likelihood is that the decor will be suitable enough to put straight into the aquarium.

The questions I have regarding these items are:

1. Does bogwood or dry aquarium eco rock change the water chemistry (mainly PH, GH or KH)?

I intend to place 2 Botia Striata, 1 Ancistrus dolichopterus and 2 austrolebias alexandri fish in my 150 litre tank and they require a constant PH value of 6.5, and GH approximately 10.

2. What would I need to do to prepare each of these items for use in the aquarium?

3. Where can each of these items be purchased? I have tried to find companies who sell such items but they seem to be selling artificial tacky items.

In addition to the above items, I intend to install real aquatic plants within the aquarium (several) but I am unsure as to why I would need a CO2 diffuser to enhance plant growth and I have no idea how they work or how dangerous they are. I would appreciate some advice on this in particular.

Mark.

 

[gbailey141]

Hi Mark,

Bogwood you can buy from most Local Fish Shops. Most people leave them to soak in a bucket for a week or so to allow the tannins to come out of the wood. However as you are in a fish less cycle I can see no reason why you can't place it straight in. It would discolor your water for a while thats all. I am not sure if it affects the water chemistry so someone else might be able to advise you on that.

Good luck.

Gav

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Hi

I agree with above gbailey that you need to get it from a LFS as these are sometimes pre-soaked or a better quality that you will find 'in the wild' lol, i have heard on this forum that bogwood can make your water softer, which may help you. Some bogwood also floats so may also need soaking... I put my bogwood staright in from the shop and it was fine, no discolour and it may have reduced my ph from 7.5 to 7.

 

[PDSimon]

I would advise not to put the bogwood in, not until after your cycle as it is known to lower pH and hardness. It doesn't always but to run the fishless cycle at optimum conditions, its best to put it in afterwards

 

[mark4785]

Thank you for all the advice you have provided.

I have been particularly interested in the Live Eco Rock, listed here. The seller appears to be based in the USA and so I was wondering if anyone knew where these items would be found for sale in the UK. I have not come across them before in any aquatic shops, nor on eBay or Amazon.

Are there any forum users' who have knowledge of c02 diffusers? If so would I need one for a densely populated planted tank? If so how on earth would I know whether the fish are suffocating?

 

[PDSimon]

it says it is "natural calcium carbonate" which I think raises hardness, you will have to check this though

 

[Assaye]

As far as I know, bogwood will slightly lower pH and the eco-rock will raise it, as it is a mineral rock.

Not sure about the rock but the wood needs to be soaked before adding to the tank. Dry wood will float and fresh wood may also release a lot of tannins which while not harmful, may be aesthetically undesirable.

 

[Ryefish]

if you decide to get bogwood, get it now whilst your cycling and sit it to soak in a bucket. the longer it soaks, the better in the long run