Cutting Wood.

[KateT]

So, I ordered a 'large' piece of mopani wood to go in my tank. It's arrived today, with a tag on it saying it is XXL. I've checked my e-mail and I did only pay for the large piece.

It's a lovely shape, but is too tall by about 5 inches - is there a way I can cut it down to size?

Also, how to I prepare it to go in the tank? I've read that you have to boil it, but there's no way I can boil this, it's massive!

EDIT: Picture here, had to link to Flickr as PB is down.

 

[Ashley1991]

get a saw and chop the bits off you dont want does not hurt to sand down the cut edges as they can rip fish fins

also you dont have to boil it boiling helps to release the tannins though so you water wont go as brown but it wont sink until it has been floated in water for a while so you can either stick it in your tank and put up with it floating about or weigh it down somehow or find a huge pot or box and stick it in there for a while

ash

 

[KateT]

get a saw and chop the bits off you dont want does not hurt to sand down the cut edges as they can rip fish fins

also you dont have to boil it boiling helps to release the tannins though so you water wont go as brown but it wont sink until it has been floated in water for a while so you can either stick it in your tank and put up with it floating about or weigh it down somehow or find a huge pot or box and stick it in there for a while

ash

So I don't HAVE to boil it? Is it worth soaking it in hot water (in the bath) at least?

 

[Ashley1991]

no you dont have to boil it some people will argue you need to do it to kill nasties or even put it in the oven........but i personally never have

putting it in hot water in the bath will help release tannins and also get it to sink so yeah you could do that but every now and again let the water out and put new in (when it goes all horrible and brown)

 

[KittyKat]

No, you do not have to boil the wood. I never have. Only people who are not happy with it releasing tannings boil it. I would say it is not worth pre-soaking it. Just give it a good scrub and rinse, then pop it into the tank.

 

[KateT]

I'm reading now (perhaps I should have done this before) that it will turn the water in my tank brown, or 'tea' coloured - will it always do this or will it stop releasing the tannins eventually?

 

[Ashley1991]

the brown bit is the tannins releasing

it will stop ,well to the point you cant see it, but it can take a while especially with a big piece of wood

 

[KateT]

It's bloody massive! I mean, I obviously got my moneys worth - but it's not what I asked for! I was only expecting a diddler then this huge box arrived today. Have you seen the pic?

 

[Aqua Tom]

So, I ordered a 'large' piece of mopani wood to go in my tank. It's arrived today, with a tag on it saying it is XXL. I've checked my e-mail and I did only pay for the large piece.

It's a lovely shape, but is too tall by about 5 inches - is there a way I can cut it down to size?

Also, how to I prepare it to go in the tank? I've read that you have to boil it, but there's no way I can boil this, it's massive!

EDIT: Picture here, had to link to Flickr as PB is down.

If it is not too thick you can use a bit of brute force to snap it. This will give a much more natural look than saw cuting it.


Tom

 

[Ashley1991]

just looked at the picture migth be big but its dam nice!lol

 

[KateT]

I know it's a lovely bit of wood! I'm going to saw a few inches off the bottom right hand bit - it will be under substrate then. We'll see how I go with this - I might need to go and find a man.

 

[KateT]

Okay I managed it (just, I managed to saw my hand a little bit too, but luckily I'm brave ).

This is it now (and PB is working now!):

Is that okay? Do you think it's still too big? That top sticky out bit is only an inch or so from the light - is that a problem?

 

[Mark Z.]

I know it's a lovely bit of wood! I'm going to saw a few inches off the bottom right hand bit - it will be under substrate then. We'll see how I go with this - I might need to go and find a man.

I was going to suggest just that! Sawing a few inches from the bottom right so it will be hidden by the substrate, not finding a man!

I have been soaking a piece of wood in a bucket for WEEKS now and the water still turns dark brown. I change the water every few days. The wood is too big to fit in a pot to boil. I may not use it. I have a piece of wood in my tank now that I never boiled or soaked and it never turned the water dark.

A good handsaw should work well and not take too long or too much effort.

Good luck.

 

[Ashley1991]

ashley likes

it only been inch from the light should not cause any problems but if your worried shave a bit more off

but yeah i like it the main thing is do you?

 

[KateT]

Yes I like it - I think I might lower the amount of fish I end up putting in there though - I bet it's taken away a good volume of space.

I'm mostly just worried about the brown water thing (but only because I'm COMPLETELY anal about these things) - but if it is likely to sort itself out in time then I'm sure I can live with it. Good thing to is that my Eheim 2215 arrived today as well, so I can officially start cycling tomorrow