Monster Decor... Having problems

[CoryWM]

I'm in search of monster decor. Most LFs and chain stores have nothing near the size I would need. The large driftwood online that i've found is far and few between.

What places do you guys use to source your decor? I can get anything I wanted custom made for a saltwater tank, cause of all the commercial displays. But there seems to be a huge void for freshwater.

I saw this in person, looked much better than the pic does. This is on the small end of what I'd put in my 300g.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18494/si3637744/cl0/zillarockdenjumbo

I'm thinking a bunch of those could be nice for some catfish while they grow up.

But besides finding the ultimate piece of driftwood, what else do people use? Isn't there the giant neon pink castle store? Not that I'd buy one, but someone out there has to make something ridiculously big.

[bgcoop8784]

have you ever thought about just making your own stuff.

[CoryWM]

have you ever thought about just making your own stuff.

Yeah I have. It's mostly a time thing. I'm also setting up a fish room worth of tanks for my fish that are already breeding.

If I had some success with making my own I could see myself making some more. I've thought about having clay fired.

[Fishman0]

It is kinda difficult to come accross the size you may be looking for...

you may have to search for your own driftwood tho, possibly a shoreline where you would have to treat the wood prior to putting in your tank

[CoryWM]

Yeah, I did a quick scouting of a river near a buddies house. Was cold and raining at the time. I may end up going that route. Definately cheaper. I'd love to find a giant piece :P

[bgcoop8784]

pretty easy use styro foam as a base to get your overall shape, spray it good with great stuff expanding foam and sand for the finished look, couple coats of concrete brushed on, and if you don't want the concrete messing with your ph, add a couple good coats of resin to seal it. or just soak it and rinse it for a couple weeks if you don't wanna seal it with resin.

[fishbum]

Exactly how big are you looking for?
Try here, http://www.apethouse.com/default.asp
or http://www.cbbeautys.com/
or http://www.manzanita.com/

[suprakid95]

i found a really giant piece of driftwood on a shelf above the aquariums at a lfs there was a tag on it but it was so old that you couldn't make out what it said. I asked a worker there how much it was and he said it had been sitting there since he had been there and gave it to me for 30$:headbang2 it is about two and a half feet long
probably about a foot and a half high.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs137.snc1/5856_1215633075092_1356800121_30618710_4061920_n.j pg

[bgcoop8784]

yeah i have a piece of malaysian drift wood about that size for $60, i've also found driftwood at the local lake and river, sometimes i bleach treatment for big stuff in a trash can, i've also drilled it and added lead weights and coated it with a couple coats of resin when i needed something within a few days and it was too big to boil.

[CoryWM]

Exactly how big are you looking for?
Try here, http://www.apethouse.com/default.asp
or http://www.cbbeautys.com/
or http://www.manzanita.com/

Ideally for the centerpiece something that is like 5 foot long by 3 foot wide, and 18 inches tall.

[Fishman0]

Rivers or lakes may be easier than this idea but you can try and locate a large enough kiln in a local pottery store where they will let you fire a large piece. otherwise go with the foam-concrete-resin design but make sure the concrete wont mess with the pH as previously stated

[fishbum]

You can also look on ebay.Shipping can be OUTRAGEOUS, but some places will offer free shipping from time to time. I got a big piece,XXL, of Malaysian driftwood from APetHouse,for $45.00 off ebay,shipping was free.

[Fishman0]

i agree with fishbum, it may be less of a headache to buy a large piece (if you can locate it) than to find one, boil it, etc... you may be better off in the long run as well since you may not know what type of wood it is you find on the shore... if it is not a hardwood and is mistaken for a pine you may be into some sticky buisiness

[CoryWM]

i agree with fishbum, it may be less of a headache to buy a large piece (if you can locate it) than to find one, boil it, etc... you may be better off in the long run as well since you may not know what type of wood it is you find on the shore... if it is not a hardwood and is mistaken for a pine you may be into some sticky buisiness


I agree. And I'm willing to pay the shipping on the right piece also. Big tanks come big expenses. I just want to find a piece I can't live without, not worth paying $200 on a piece that i'm always looking to upgrade still.

[fishbum]

Get ahold of these guys,http://www.manzanita.com/aqwood.htm
and give them the dimensions you want,and they will find what you need.

[CoryWM]

Get ahold of these guys,http://www.manzanita.com/aqwood.htm
and give them the dimensions you want,and they will find what you need.

Cool, sent the email. DO you know if all the pieces have to weighted down? Was going bare bottom. Would like to avoid a piece of slate to attach it too.

[bgcoop8784]

heavy woods like Malaysian wood sinks immediately, some have to soak to sink, and every once in a while you come across some that can be under water for years and never sink. if it doesn't sink right off, weight it down for a couple weeks and then see how it does.

[Fishman0]

i've also drilled it and added lead weights and coated it with a couple coats of resin when i needed something within a few days and it was too big to boil.


I like this idea as well, the weights will be hidden and then will stay submerged better. even if you use resin coated lead weights and use fishing line to keep it down... eventually it "should" become water logged