What do you think of this wood? Any prep suggestions?

[Aquatic Aggression]

I'm going to get a few more pieces this weekend. The roots were easy to get out with a little work as they were in sand. I'm planning on getting the biggest rubbermaid tote I can find and soaking the wood in that over the winter changing the water out completely maybe once a week. Think this would look cool with some kind of live plant on the part where they cut the tree? Would my plecos like this type of wood?

 

[cyberhog05]

Nice looking piece. Is all of it solid? Meaning on the wet spots does it feel soft? I use a wire brush to scrub the crap out of it while rinsing it. If there is any soft spots wire brush them off. Most times its the first 1/4" or so and if you scrub enough over the coarse of soaking it you can get it all off easily. Now this is assuming there is soft areas. If not soak that chunk do something to disinfect it like bake it, pour boiling water over it etc

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

Very nice, plants growing on the stump would look pretty darn cool

 

[Aquatic Aggression]

The only soft spots are where the different sections of roots meet the main piece. I figured soaking them all winter with waterchanges of 100% fresh clean water about once a week will get a lot of the crap out. Then when spring comes around I would let it bake in the sun for a week or so then 1 final power wash before going into a tank.
I'm sure I will find better pieces than that when I go back this weekend. I spotted many large roots.

 

[mustang93svt]

It would look good with the flat cut part attached the the glass top with the roots coming down.

 

[Aquatic Aggression]

Very nice, plants growing on the stump would look pretty darn cool

That's what I was thinking. The top of the stump is weathered and cracked from sun exposure etc I think it would be perfect for a plant to take root on. Any suggestions for a suitable plant?

 

[Aquatic Aggression]

It would look good with the flat cut part attached the the glass top with the roots coming down.

That would look great. Hoping to find a piece with a deeper root structure more vertical growth to look like a flooded tree without seeing the cut part on top.

 

[smitty03281964]

The only thing I do to wood that I collect is rinse it off. That is definitely a piece I would want.

 

[Aquatic Aggression]

Cool so maybe I will just hit it with a stiff brush, power wash, and soak for maybe a week. I should have some way better pieces this weekend.