Rocks,sand,wood?

[gh74]

OK,well i bought 3 pieces of bogwood earlier and wondering what all i need to do to it before it can go into the tank.
Then i bought 2 other pieces of bogwood from a guy who had it soaking in water etc what all would i need to do to it before i can use it,just as it would of came out of the guys tank at some point etc.
 
What all rocks is suitable for a tropical tank,can they be bought in B&Q uk etc or were can you buy them from?
 
And what sand can i use for my tank,i dont really want to be going to the lfs as the sands etc can be a bit expensive etc
 
Thanks

 

[elmo666]

Bogwood bought dry needs to be soaked, to make it sink and clean of any surface debris. Give your mates wood a good wash and scrub. As to what else you do with the wood, well that is decided by what your keeping. It releases tannins that can lower ph and will stain the water. This can have a nice aesthetic appearance if your going for a planted set up and fish preferring slightly acid water. The other option is to soak it for an extended length of time, tho this can be a lengthy process before the wood stops leaching anything of any significance.
I've not used sand for a long time, but alot of posts mention play sand, should be cheap enough I would imagine.

 

[gh74]

Thanks elmo666,I will have to get play sand then just wasnt sure of the types to use for aquariums etc,so i will just scrub the wood and soak it for a while etc does the wood need to be boiled etc

 

[star4]

Dont boil wood it will break down quickly, just use hot water from the tap and give it a good scrub. Play sand is good but you still need to give it a good wash

 

[gh74]

Thanks Star tell me is these stones/rocks ok to use.
 
http/www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-d-cor/decorative-stones-chippings/decorative_slate/Plum-Paddlestones-10797511?skuId=11288217
 
I'll get the sand tomorrow and give the wood a good scrub.

 

[Ch4rlie]

One more little point, don't boil rocks/stones either, pour hot water over them to get rid of any nasties. Also trying the vinegar test to see if safe or not is good to do also. If vinegar reacts to being on surface of rock / stone, don't add to tank.
 
Boiling rocks / stones may result in explosion or shattering of the stones / rocks.

 

[gh74]

LOL charlie i know my luck they would explode on me then the new kitchen would be wrecked and id be kicked out ,look that link and see if them stone would be ok plus what would i use to stick them together?

 

[Ch4rlie]

These stones look ok, but what are you planning on keeping in that tank?
 
Stick them together? what do you mean?

 

[gh74]

i want to build like a rockscape etc what type of glue would you use,just somewhere for the fish to hide etc,was going to attempt a diy polystyrene background.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Usually any type of super glue thats 100% cyanoacrylate is safe.
 
Or any aquarium safe sealant may also work.

 

[gh74]

Thanks,i will ask in the aquatic shop tomorrow coz i would get the wrong stuff and endup killing the fish,well for all i have left

 

[Alasse]

Dont boil wood it will break down quickly, just use hot water from the tap and give it a good scrub. Play sand is good but you still need to give it a good wash

Never heard of this. I boil all wood that will fit into the pot i have. I've has some of this wood for 15yrs+ with no sign of degrading I've boiled some of it numerous times to get it waterlogged quicker
 
Not a fan of play sand (well what we call play sand here), is fine stuff, compacts very easily, and is startling white so shows up absolutely everything, vacuuming it leads to losing some sand regardless how careful or how far away the vacuum is & it is very easily moved or picked up by filtration
 
I use pool filter sand, doesnt get blown around, doesnt stir up easily, doesnt compact, can be vacuumed the same as gravel (dig the vacuum in deep), i wont ever go back to play sand for full tank substrate

 

[gh74]

Thanks Alasse,hmmm now i should look for pool filter sand,probably be hard to find over here in northern ireland,tel me have you ever made your own vaccum for the tank?i am considering trying to do a poly 3d background,do you have any good tips for me before i would start it,what paints can be used to paint it,do you need to use cement etc and whatever other stuff it is to do it,when i read your 5ft build thats was amazing and i thought god i would love to do something like that.
 
So you say it is ok to boil wood etc how long would you boil it for,i have big metal liners that i will be using to melt my wax in for making candles,there brand new so no wax be getting onto the wood.

 

[Alasse]

Some pieces i have boiled for an hour or so.....i just kept boiling until the tannins settled and the wood either sank or at least started to
 
Depends on the desired look with the background. I ony have experience with using render (cement product). cement oxides to 'paint' with, and a sealer to make the background inert

 

[Vin Swords]

You can use normal builders sand or playsand. As long as nothing added in it. My fev is sharp sand from b and q . It's the heaviest sand you can buy. It's always clean and perfact for plants.