hwhite Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 I am setting up a new tank and want to collect my own driftwood. What type of wood would be the best? I am thinking native would be good because it is hard it this correct? Any help would be appreciated as I do not want to spend heaps in the stores and most are awfull shapes. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Natives are good, hard and sink fast. The darker woods are normally harder. I would avoid pine as it is too soft and will rot quicker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 As long as its woody and been drifting then it should be fine. Anything that rots too quick will probably be gone long before you could find it on a beach. And even a relatively fast rotting wood should be fine for a year or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Rata and rimu both look great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted March 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 How about some native that was chopped down and has been sitting in a paddock for a few years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgustipated Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 just make sure it's woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted March 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Sorry can you please explain what woody is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Sorry can you please explain what woody is? Here, this may help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted March 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Excellent thanks for that, I thought it might have been a technical term. So all I do is look for a tree :slfg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 By woody, he means solid wood, no rotting bits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted March 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Thanks for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 You are in the absolute best part of the country to get driftwood. Any hardwood washed up on the east cape beaches is a good shape and you can do so much with it. :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 The South Island's west coast has a lot of native timber washing out to the beaches too. A good place for a holiday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted March 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 I might try the beach, I got some from a paddock and it has been dead for years but I have boiled it 4 times now for about 2 hours at a time and it still looks like tea. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 I might try the beach, I got some from a paddock and it has been dead for years but I have boiled it 4 times now for about 2 hours at a time and it still looks like tea. Any ideas? Boil it 4 more times. If it still looks like tea throw it in the tank anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Boil it 4 more times. If it still looks like tea throw it in the tank anyway. or just stick it the tank as is. Boiling will release more tannin then just sitting in the tank will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted March 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Thanks, I will try boiling it a few more days and stick it in the tank and hope for the best. :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 When it is in the tank add charcoal to the filter and the tannins will eventually be removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 Many thanks, hope it all works ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 You are in the absolute best part of the country to get driftwood. Any hardwood washed up on the east cape beaches is a good shape and you can do so much with it. :thup: +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Thanks for the advise. Went to the beach and got some Really good bits. Soaking them now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TenyTinyKaz Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Yep I just rock on down to The Heads at WHK find me some good looking pieces of wood washed up, take them home, boil them for a bit, soak them for a while, then arrange in tank as desired Lots of good wood around here :lar: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aer0 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 not sure if this is a valid method or not but I prep all my collected driftwood this way... we have an old bath in the back yard, i throw the wood in there tied to a brick or similar to ensure its fully submerged. Once a week the water is changed till its clear for a week... then a boil if i can fit it in a pot... otherwise in the tank she goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwhite Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Excellent thanks :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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