:-[
I was gonna get some, figuring they could be cut to size. do you think the cut edge could be sealed off with silicone, & stuck to rock for a weighted bottom?
Making Bamboo Stalks
- Thread starter JoseCatala
- Start date
I was gonna get some, figuring they could be cut to size. do you think the cut edge could be sealed off with silicone, & stuck to rock for a weighted bottom?
make sure the fish or pets dont eat the leaves ... as the leaves on lucky bamboo are poisonois to pets and small children ... found that in a google search when i was going to use lucky bamboo awhil back
Exactly what I was about to say...I'm about to do this thanks to your post haha..thank you!
As for the floating problem: fixing this will be far easier and more aesthetically pleasing IMO than creating your own or trying to make real bamboo work.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Using dried bamboo is going to be a challenge. Each "knuckle" on the stalk is a seal, essentially. This makes a chamber of air between each knuckle. You will have to drill through it to open it up. But still the stalk will float. You can use an epoxy to seal it such as MAX ACR. However, the outside of bamboo is notorious for not allowing anything to stick to it. I have used Scotchbrite to score the outside to allow some epoxy to penetrate. Even after all that you may have to anchor it down with aquarium sealant. Unsealed or uncoated it will cloud the water because it is starting to rot.
The best part about sealing bamboo is that aquarium sealant will now stick to it very well.
Be careful with any fake bamboo or other decorations from decorating stores because you dont know the type of plastic it is made from and whether it will leach or not. The only metal that should go into an aquarium is a good grade of stainless steel. Cheap stainless will actually rust because of its composition. Generally if it (stainless) attracts a magnet, dont use it.
Excellent idea of using another tank to experiment with. I have found polyurethane is fairly inert after drying but over the long haul seems to break down and have a cloudy appearance. When I did use it I let it sit for several days till there was no more smell of the solvents. Then I would wash the decoration in a very mild soap, rinse well then put it in the tank.
The best part about sealing bamboo is that aquarium sealant will now stick to it very well.
Be careful with any fake bamboo or other decorations from decorating stores because you dont know the type of plastic it is made from and whether it will leach or not. The only metal that should go into an aquarium is a good grade of stainless steel. Cheap stainless will actually rust because of its composition. Generally if it (stainless) attracts a magnet, dont use it.
Excellent idea of using another tank to experiment with. I have found polyurethane is fairly inert after drying but over the long haul seems to break down and have a cloudy appearance. When I did use it I let it sit for several days till there was no more smell of the solvents. Then I would wash the decoration in a very mild soap, rinse well then put it in the tank.
