How long to sink driftwood?

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marvinbaker

marvinbaker

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
May 1, 2006
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Got 2 big pieces of driftwood (about 20kg!) and want to get them sinking! got them in the bath at the moment with hot water and was wondering how long it might take. tried weighing them down but haven't got anything heavy enough to keep it on the bottom! can anyone help?
 
This depends primarily on size/density of driftwood. I currently have a large piece (not sure of the weight but its 18x24x28" approximately) thats been siting in the water for 4 months and shows no signs of sinking. I am however forbidden from sinking it in the bathtub, so its actually floating in a tank ;)
 
both my pieces are about 2'x2'x2'. was hoping it wouldn't take that long, haven't got a bucket big enough and can't get away with leaving them in the bath for too long! looks like i'll have to find something to weight them down.
 
marvinbaker;705467; said:
both my pieces are about 2'x2'x2'. was hoping it wouldn't take that long, haven't got a bucket big enough and can't get away with leaving them in the bath for too long! looks like i'll have to find something to weight them down.
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There is another option: You can attach it to a central brace of your tank using plastic tighs. Yes, it will still look like its floating and some find it tacky but if you wedge it under the brace, it will be submerged when the tank is full, and eventually it will sink. May be easier than looking for large anough rocks -- with a piece this big you will need a tremendous ammount of weight to keep it under
 
ive heard it can take days to years to waterlog driwftwood.
i have 1 piece soaking that is about 21" x 18" and still not waterlogged after 6 months. I have the time and space to sit it out, but if you dont ide reccomend attaching a long thick piece of slate to the bottom of it.
 
I've been soaking a few medium sized pieces for about 2 months now. One of them seems to be comming along but still gots a way to go. I thinking of probably using fishing line to tie them down to some rocks or what not. Things that might speed up the process are soaking in hot water, using a deeper vessel with more water, or using baking soda (I wouldn't try this method though). Anyways, patience is a virtue...not.
 
The last driftwood piece I waterlogged was done with a pressure washer. Time: about 15 min. Yeah, I'm lazy. No way I'm waiting months on end.
 
Decide which side you want displayed, and then drill holes in the back and in the bottom. The holes will allow air to exit and water to diffuse deeper into the wood. Get a piece of slate or flagstone and a diamond tipped drill bit. Drill through the slate or stone and bolt it to the bottom of the wood. Use stainless screws or bolts.
 
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