My Own Bog Wood

[thegoon84]

Decided to start my fish tank up again, I’m going tropical again and would like a nice big bog wood feature, however the ones I’ve seen are like £50 up…. I point blank refuse to pay that kind of money for old tree wood!

We have a large river near my house which has plenty of fallen tree’s in there, if I took the wood out I want and cut it to fit could I do it that way or would it kill the tank. I’ve not set up the tank yet so thought if I prepare now it will be ok?

Also does this apply with Rock, i.e I take a few stones from the river and clean them in treated water would that also be ok?

 

[nurglespuss]

A search on the forum will give you some good clues

A rough guide for wood wood be:

The stream - is it near any agricultural site? Many farm treatments (like sheep dip) utilise Pyromethrin (sp?) which is lethal to invertebrates and fish.

Does the wood still have: Bark/is it falling apart/is it covered with fungi? etc.
What type of wood is it? (Beech/Oak etc. aregenerally OK)

Its pretty hit and miss, and you would also need to scrub it, soak it in clean water for weeks - observe it for beasties etc. and keep testing water parameters before introduction.

Don't pay shop prices for bogwood! look around on forums etc. for cheaper deals

 

[Shane Ward]

I took stones from a train station, scrubbed them clean, microwaved for one min and then dumped them in the tank, no probs, works like a charm.

As for wood, thats more tricky as it soaks up stuff.

 

[injektion]

I took stones from a train station, scrubbed them clean, microwaved for one min and then dumped them in the tank, no probs, works like a charm.

As for wood, thats more tricky as it soaks up stuff.

err....you microwaved stones? generally not a good idea to super heat stones as it could explode.

 

[Tizer]

lol @ microwaving stones

 

[nurglespuss]

lol @ microwaving stones

or they could contain metal ore.... ;p

 

[PerryClem0842]

Wouldn't have thought that you would have any problems with getting your own bits of wood,
the best bits are the ones you find yourself, they just need a little extra work that's all!