Where To Buy Driftwood 'bark'?

[xenomorph]

I don't know if this is in the right forum, I've only posted in Emergencies before now.

I want to make my jumbo plecos a cave out of 6" black corrugated plastic pipe. I want to put smooth-laying driftwood bark on it for two reasons: so it's also kind of edible to them and so it looks 1000x better. I was thinking of gluing it on with aquarium silicone.

But I don't know where to find driftwood bark. I have bunches of old driftwood pieces at home but they are all the lumpy kind and useless...I'm looking for long smooth pieces. Any idea?? Thank you B)

 

[Teelie]

I don't think you'll fine any bark. Most of the time driftwood is intentionally stripped of bark if it has any for various reasons before it's used in aquariums. It rots easier and can foul the water I know. I'm sure you could find some wood that can be shaped and glued on though.

 

[OohFeeshy]

I believe the 'cork bark' available for reptiles,spiders etc, can be used, but you'd have to weigh it down well, boil it, and it will rot eventually.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I would use terracotta caves made for plecos.

 

[xenomorph]

Terracotta caves would take up too much space...besides, I doubt I could find one that will fit my 17" gibbiceps in his entirety. That's, um, a massive terracotta cave

How about this...after my driftwood has been in the water awhile and plecos have been gnawing on it..it sometimes flakes away a bit in long smooth pieces. How can I get this out of wood?

And any other recommendations for what to conceal the plastic with?

 

[Teelie]

One common way is to use the substrate. Sand or gravel dropped onto the pipe after the pipe is coated in sillicone.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Sorry, I must have missed the 17 inch part in your original post

At that size a nice large driftwood log under which it could hide might be a good choice.

 

[xenomorph]

There's already a massive piece of driftwood in the tank...here's a pic:

I like the gravel idea, I could give that a shot....I could lightly coat the plastic then roll it in gravel spread out on an old towel or sheet.