Wood

[mattyp84]

Hey, not sure if this is the correct section to post in but here goes...........

Im looking at rescaping my tank today and i really want some bigger pieces of wood, however im poor atm and was wondering if i can use branches from trees ? (sounds stupid i know) I live in Devon, England so theres country side abound here.

I want some big branches for my tank with my F8 Puffers.

Same with rocks ? can i grab some of those as long as they are washed properly ?

Any ideas or help would be great !

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'd go to the beach or a lake to find some driftwood (bogwood?) if possible. I would think that fresh branches would leech some sap or something dangerous. Possibly very aged wood would be all right if you poured boiling water on it and scrubbed it well. You'd also have to weight it down until it was saturated.

Same with the rocks: boiling water then scrub well. I've done the same here, from our local gravel pit. I found some wondrous rocks there!

 

[mattbleasby]

I wouldnt put fresh tree branches in my tank, They will rot and most likely hide all sorts of nasties. You could though, Go too your beach and pick up some drift wood. I have done this before. Just make sure too soak it through and scrub it, Too make sure all the salt is gone

 

[nurglespuss]

Problem with driftwood is, it takes an age to sink, and can still contian peosits of salt etc in nooks and crannies. If you can find something big enough to thrououghly boil it in, then go for it.

 

[mattyp84]

why not fresh wood ? if i cleaned it and attached something heavy enough to make it sink ? just out of interest ?

im heading to the woods in a bit then maybe down to a small stream and then the beach for some rocks i think.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Sink some in a tub of water for a week and see what it looks like. I also think it would eventually rot. If you're going to the beach anyway why not look for some driftwood? I think you'll save yourself a lot of headaches.

 

[mattbleasby]

Because of it still being alive in a sense. and fresh, I think it would just break down and rott. Bark would come off and rot and i would imagine cause nightmares for your chemistry in the tank, Driftwood from the beach on the other hand aslong as its cleaned properly will be fine.

as said above why not just save yourself alot of headaches and get the beach wood. :

 

[mattyp84]

mainly because im looking for something "branchy" if you know what i mean, i missed a huge piece of bog wood the other day while i was down on some little secluded beach having a few cheeky drinks, just wish id brought it home, may go back see if its still floating about.

ideal i want some "branchy" or "rooty" looking but well see......

 

[kizno1]

You cant use fresh wood but if you go to a forest and looks for bits that have fallen off and where the bark has fallen/falling of then pull any bark left on it off boil then soak it and it will be fine to use, ive done it plenty of times.

 

[This Old Spouse]

mainly because im looking for something "branchy" if you know what i mean, i missed a huge piece of bog wood the other day while i was down on some little secluded beach having a few cheeky drinks, just wish id brought it home, may go back see if its still floating about.

ideal i want some "branchy" or "rooty" looking but well see......

I do know what you mean. It's just what I'm looking for as well! Hopefully I can find something down by the lake this weekend. Good luck!

 

[mattyp84]

well we dont get much driftwood here, so i headed to the woods, got about 6 decent brancy branches, now to figure out if i need to remove the bark etc etc.

 

[This Old Spouse]

If it still has bark on it, don't use it. Only use the wood that has stripped down to the bare wood. Serously. You're going to give yourself some problems using fresh wood!

 

[mattbleasby]

Sounds like your going too use it regardless of what we say hehe

 

[mattyp84]

no, i just dont have a choice, i dont drive and i dont live anywhere near where we get drifwood, apart from the odd bit u see in the sea but its not the shape i want.......

i did go down and look about but there was nothing suitable size wise etc

its not fresh, it all came from the ground, not a single piece was from a living tree, its all from the ground and fallen tree branches

ive cut into a few pieces and its dry all the way through

 

[mattyp84]

it snaps clean when u bend it etc its definitely DEAD