Making tree like branches/driftwood question

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arowfan

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 12, 2008
883
9
48
North Jersey
www.stickam.com
Hey all,
So my question is this, how does one go about attaching driftwood to a piece of slate to weigh it down, so that it will give the appearance of a tree in the tank-basically I want the piece of wood to stand upright and not move anywhere-
Should I use fish safe silicone inbetween the slate and wood?
Thanks for any advice!
And also, if I cut a branch fresh off the tree-should I pour hot water all over it to kill any bacteria on it?

Thanks all!
John
 
I hate to say it but there is a good chance that wood might make a big mess depending on what it is.
 
once they obsorbe water wouldnt they stay down anyways?
 
I have 6 pieces of wood in my tank that have been there for a year. one sank when I got them, two sink now. so yes they will, it's just a question of how long you have to wait.
only four more to go! :headbang2
 
Gill Blue said:
I have 6 pieces of wood in my tank that have been there for a year. one sank when I got them, two sink now. so yes they will, it's just a question of how long you have to wait.
only four more to go! :headbang2
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Have you had any issues with them deteriorating? I used to have a few pieces in one of my tanks. They looked good for a while but then started falling apart quickly.
 
yes, the wood will deteriorate. like a wise man once said-
Gill Blue said:
it's just a question of how long you have to wait.
Click to expand...

if your looking for longevity, the trick is to get hardwood. the harder the wood, the longer it will last. I have pieces of malaysian wood that have been in my tank for a decade with no noticeable change.oak driftwood would probably be the same. they pull up sunken oak logs from the bottom of the great lakes and connecting rivers that were forced to the bottom when they ran them down the rivers from logging camps. that wood sells for a premium because even at 150+ years spent in the water it's still good wood.
these would not be good woods for animals that need wood in their diet like some species of plecos. for them you want the wood to break down.
 
I have some trees in my parents backyard. I was planning on chopping some good sized branches...and then mounting them to the slate...am I correct in thinking that I shouldn't be concerned about parasites since it was never in water?
 
arowfan said:
I have some trees in my parents backyard. I was planning on chopping some good sized branches...and then mounting them to the slate...am I correct in thinking that I shouldn't be concerned about parasites since it was never in water?
Click to expand...

Yes you are correct. Use high pressure water, sandblast or boil them. I have even pissed off my wife by running driftwood through the dishwasher. You want hardwood and no bark left on it. If you're trying to make it look like a tree, drill the slate with a mason bit and run a 1/4-20 bolt into the wood, but make sure the bolt is stainless.


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