tree branches in the tank.

12 posts • Page 1 of 2

Discuss all topics related to freshwater and planted tanks.


stingraysrule
 
Posts: 271
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:37 pm

by stingraysrule

....


Okiimiru
 
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:19 pm

by Okiimiru

I get my tree branches from the side of the sidewalk when I'm walking back from class (I'm a college student). Dead branches fall down after windstorms and are quite pretty sometimes. You want to get wood that is thoroughly, completely dead. And don't use wood from every tree species. Some of the trees (walnut trees, some evergreens) have poisons in them. In general, if the tree is one of the species where no part of it is poisonous, then it's safe to use in the fish tank. Just google the tree before you use its branch. If it has no poison warnings, it should be fine.
I wash them with bleach and thoroughly rinse them. You can't really boil the longer branches because they're simply too large to fit in a stovetop pot.

The wood sinks after about a day in water. I prop it in the first day, but after that it will stay submerged on its own. Wood grows mold after about a half a year or a year or so, so you want to keep an eye on it and watch for dots on the surface. Remove it when you see stuff growing on it and get a new branch.

If your water starts to turn yellow after adding wood, put fresh activated carbon in the filter. I buy my activated carbon in bulk and then fill filter bags with it by hand and it costs about a sixth of the price. The fish don't mind the tannins (yellow stuff) that leeches out of the wood, but I like my water crystal clear, so I filter with activated carbon. Actually, some fish (tetras, bettas) are more likely to breed if there are tannins in the water, I should mention.

Good luck with your wood. It's very pretty, I think.

Pictures of my aquarium:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v415/Okiimiru/069.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v415/ ... /058-1.jpg


findingjohn
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:02 pm

by findingjohn

Sounds like a cool idea.


Alasse
 
Posts: 993
Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 5:35 am
Location: QLD Australia

by Alasse

The majority of wood in my tanks is wood i have found. I just ensure it has fully dried out and is hardwood (majority is gum tree). I have 15 tanks and buying wood for them would be far too expensive.

I dont take from rivers at all or from where crops are grown. I take from near livestock paddocks. I have been using it for many years with no ill effects

This was one set up...shows the wood layout...and the other pic shows it planted
44c27-5ft 18th April 09.jpg
c8301-5ft 14th June 09 b.jpg


stingraysrule
 
Posts: 271
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:37 pm

by stingraysrule

I love the tank.


jeffvmd
 
Posts: 0
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:49 am

by jeffvmd

Manzanita branches are commonly used for planted tanks i see. You may want to look into that.

tree branches in the tank.

12 posts • Page 1 of 2

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