Bamboo used for driftwood?

[Sciroccoman]

I was wondering if anybody had any experience with bamboo....

I am thinking of fastening a piece to some rocks to sink it and use as a tunnel/cave. Piece to be used in Mbuna tank..

Any thoughts? ...

...By the way, I have a 2 GROWING Plecos, thinking of parting with one if any body is interested in a trade or something?!?!... PM Please!

 

[gazelle]

leaves cannot be submerged

 

[iloveoscars702]

leaves cannot be submerged

he is talking about a dried piece of large bamboo. imo i wouldnt, i think if it soaks up water it will disintegrate. just cut a large piece of pvc in half, cover the top with silicone and put gravel on top. you can even silicone some fake plants to it to make it look more "natural. "

 

[Thalan]

Or go all the way and dremel the pvc to look like bamboo!
For the real thing Id be worried about splinters. Bamboo can be vicious.

 

[Sciroccoman]

Thank you all for the helpful advice.

I am fortunate enough to have neighbors with a 55g set-up with a few bamboo pieces in it. I shall keep an eye on it. The guy actually "toasted" it in the fire, sanded, then boiled... glued to rock, and sank it.

Seems to be OK after a month... we'll see.

I plan on keeping the natural green look of the bamboo. However, still making it sink somehow. If and only if, the neighbors piece ends up working out..

 

[cmoazz]

I thought bamboo used to be soaked back in the day and would become limber enough for a whipping device... so I'm guessing it would be soft submerged in the tank.

 

[cypherljk]

I have seen some tanks with live bamboo in there and they look nice. The owners claim they have never had any issues although it would seem otherwise.

 

[Toby_H]

I've used 'Lucky Bamboo" in aquariums for many years. Fry love swimming in and picking at the root balls and they do eat nitrates to at least some degree...

But that's not what you are asking about...


As mentioned, Bamboo is very porous and will quickly saturate, become soft and discinigrate.

Without taking steps such as your neighbor did to harden / preserve it, it will quickly fall apart and become a nuisance.

 

[Sciroccoman]

Ok, it's been awhile since I've asked about Bamboo and since my neighbors submerged their piece. I've been able to closely monitor the happenings of said piece.

Over time the piece lost it's color(leached char marks from fire decorating techniques) and it I noticed more splintering as it softened....

So, to remedy such goings-on, I went to the local HD and purchased Super Glaze two part epoxy. Coated my pieces with glaze inside and out. I then Gorilla glued two rocks at both ends to keep it submersible.

Pix will be coming shortly.....