Nature And Forest Driftwood

I am sure this has been asked several times but want to make sure I am doing it correctly. I own several acres at my home we have creeks and streams that also run on our property. Several years ago I logged and cut down several trees and they have sat in the weather for I would say about 4 years now so the wood is pretty dry and is weathered and there is no sap and is all bark free.

I brought the wood in or the pieces I am going to use in a 20 gallon long. I plan to boil both sides of the wood for at least one hour should I also maybe bake them on say 350 for at least 30 minutes as well? We have a lot of oak and dog wood on the land. Was to cold today so didn't walk the creeks and streams today where I am you don't wanna be in the woods at night up here.

 

What is your ph? Driftwood lowers the ph no matter what you do with it.

 

What is your ph? Driftwood lowers the ph no matter what you do with it.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

 

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Tank is cycling so figured it couldn't really mess anything up if I went ahead and did it before hand.

 

Driftwood's effect on pH wasn't the question, unless I misread.

I would skip the baking. Heck, I'd skip the boiling too (but I keep acidophiles mostly).

Either way, the wood should be safe as long as pesticides haven't been sprayed on it.

 

That's were I get my pieces of driftwood. I rinse it and put in the tank. Sometimes it tints the water a little but not too much.

 

That's were I get my pieces of driftwood. I rinse it and put in the tank. Sometimes it tints the water a little but not too much.

Well I was burning a lot of wood today and figured might as well use some pieces for a tank. I wouldn't think I will have any problems this wood has been in the weather like 4 years I also made sure that it was not rotted too. Tomorrow when it is day light I will walk my creeks and see if I can find some also, A nice 10 or 12 '' should look good for a center piece.

 

What is your ph? Driftwood lowers the ph no matter what you do with it.

Driftwood doesn't necessarily lower pH either. I have some in my tanks, with a higher kh & pH, and it does next to nothing.

 

How long does it take for wood to finally sink? I have some dried weather madrona that looks neat.

 

Mine sank right when I put it in the tank

 

Mine does, I hope it sinks eventually. Lol

 

How long does it take for wood to finally sink? I have some dried weather madrona that looks neat.

One day, one week, one month, multiple months. Pick one...You'll probably pick the wrong one.

 

Well did the boiling looks like the piece turned out pretty good. Sorry if the lighting isn't very good still waiting on the brown truck with the LED light for the tank and plants. Also made sure to leave some foot print in there to instead of over crowding it for plant and fish room. Measures around 12"L x 7''W 10"H

 

I boiled my driftwood and it still floats to the surface whenever I take the stone off. It had been drying for at least 10 years though in the attic of our disconnected garage. We picked it up when I was a very young kid down at Cape Dissapointment at the mouth of the Columbia. The piece of wood's got it's own story. I wonder where it came from before washing up on that beach. LOL

 

Problem is both sides are cool so have no idea which side I want to see. Also when standing it up it looks cool with the patterns also. So hmm can't make up my mind there. Have a thinner piece about 12'' long also will see what I can do to make it look good I guess.

 

Can't wait to see what you do with this find. I've used oak in my tanks with lots of success. I just soaked them to rule out toxins and mostly bugs.

 

Branchy part facing down would look like plant roots in the water (like you'd find in the wild) and then you could place the other piece across the tank behind it. Just one idea though

I love that piece

 

Can't wait to see what you do with this find. I've used oak in my tanks with lots of success. I just soaked them to rule out toxins and mostly bugs.

Now that you mention it there was a worm in this piece the size of my pinkie end finger and I have big hands. I almost went for the gun, Thought for a minute it was a small snake living in there lol

 

How does this look? Any ideas? We need some style in there.

 

That would look nice draped in moss.

 

I think this way looks cool. But it is mostly in center of tank.

 

I might try putting them upright like the other guy mentioned. If they're to tall as appears will be so I would try to position them so the ends that were saw cut are not showing as good. A natural break looks better than a saw cut piece. More natural.

Oh sorry didn't see you're last post there LOL. I think that would look epic slightly more to one side draped in moss with fish swimming happily around it.

Wow the water looked so clear in that original pic I was wondering why the weight was sitting on it. LOL