natural wood for FW tank

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G

gatekeeper

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 16, 2010
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Hi guys,
I was just wondering where I can buy tree stumps, roots and such for my tank? Petco only sells little (tiny) chunks of wood. I have seen many people here with beautiful tree stumps in thier large tanks and I was wondering where I can get pieces like that.

thanks
 
manzanita.com. you can order branches any size and they have pics of the stumps for sale. can't order online. call and ask for Rich. they are in California.
 
3dees;4761938; said:
manzanita.com. you can order branches any size and they have pics of the stumps for sale. can't order online. call and ask for Rich. they are in California.
Click to expand...

I have heard good things about this company, but have no personal experience with them.

I bought some DW recently from a small personal vendor...he just collects it and cleans it I think.

I like searching for my own, but I also have spent lots of time collecting mediocre wood.

That being said, the more sites you look at, its like the more people you have scanning the beach with you, you are more likely to find something you like, that works with your setup.

GL
 
Maybe you have a forest or at least some woods nearby your place. That's where I find my driftwood. Then you can look for color, grain, etc, on the wood you want. Birch has a nice grain and color. Can't beat cheaper than free!!!
 
Thanks for all the info guys, My dad has about 10 acres of woods I could look at. he is always clearing out trees for firewood. Never thought of looking on my own. How lonk would I need to soak a small stump in water before all the (what ever it's called) is leached out? How would I tell when it was ready? can I use a small pool to soak it in?
Thanks
 
You're going to want to be able to sterilize the driftwood. Just make sure you stabilize the water again after treating with a dechlorinator. Scrub the wood free of debris, sand down any rough spots, boil it for a couple hours, then float in the tank or weigh it down with a sinker or slate until it becomes waterlogged. That's the tough part --- waiting long enough for it to become waterlogged.
I've got a couple new pieces of birch floating in my tank right now. They've been floating for a few weeks now.

Keep in mind depending on age of the wood and type of wood you may have tannins leached into the tank over time. May never actually go away but won't harm the fish or water chemistry.

Keep away from sappy trees like pine or cedar. They're going to mess your water up something fierce and possibly harm the fish. If the wood is a natural deterrent for insects and such, keep away (hence the cedar reference).

Enjoy doing this though! It's so fulfilling and rewarding knowing that you did it yourself, saving money in the process, and get exactly what you want!

Good luck!
 
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