simfish Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 How long would it take on average for a dritwood to sink? Is there any way of speeding up the process? The reason is I have to finish planting 80% of my aquascape tank this weekend in order to get the gosso to thrive, etc and hopefully the riccia and java moss tied to the wood! Please let me know if there is a smart way.... cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 you can weight it down with lead sinkers, bag of sand or pebbiles on it. Soaking it in boiling water can help. if you just weight it down then you can take the weights off once it doesn't need them anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Is it okay to put sinkers in freshwater tanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HummingBird Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Using a combination of baking soda and hot water worked for me. It sucks the air out of it apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Is baking soda harpful to fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jude Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 I wouldn't put it in the tank unless you think they have indigestion but if the wood is given a good rinse afterwards it will do no harm. And you can use lead sinkers in tanks - lots of ppl do that Cheers Jude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 How long do you have to do the baking soda / hot water trick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HummingBird Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 I did it for a few hours, just left it in there for most of the day. Obviously you wouldn't do it in the tank, the fish wouldn't like water being that hot :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simfish Posted November 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 I will try this this weekend, can I just know how many parts baking soda to water..... thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HummingBird Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Hmm, well I had a chilly bin that was about 50 litres ish and I used a little less than a teaspoon I think. Too much probably wouldn't have a harmful affect on the wood, just make sure you wash it off well afterwards or it'll affect your tank's pH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electricfish37 Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 I use lead weights with no problem. I work out which part of the driftwood will be resting on the gravel, than drill a hole in the bottom big enough to bash in a lead sinker. Works well, and it's quick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 For larger pieces of wood I have screwed chunks of lead flashing to the bottom, its the stuff used on corogated iron roofs. Just remember the screws will rust in a few months, it doesn't hurt the fish but the lead will of course come loose. The other trick I have used it a bit of plastic pipe jammed between one of the top braces and the wood, looks ugly for a month or two, but when the wood is water logged it can be removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetom Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 you could always attach the lead flashing with cable ties, no rust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.