75 Update

Judge · 09-26-2008, 11:21 PM

Hi folks I need some input on a piece of wood. I have finally got my lights, filter, heater and have ordered the gravel/Eco which should be here some time next week. I have been searching Ebay for a groovy piece of wood and have been looking for a "stump" looking piece that I think will add to the Amazon River theme. My question (yes there is one) is we have a lake, creepy kinda lake with loads of stumps/drift wood all over. Tomorrow is my BDay so my spouse has agreed to take me over there to hunt for the perfect piece of wood. NOW, I am sure it will be full of all kinds of stuff that I would not want swimming around with my future Discus so what do I need to do in order to prepare this type of wood?? I have seen the exact same thing on Ebay selling for reasonable prices followed by ridiculous shipping prices so I thought hanging out at Lake Columbia might be fun. Any thoughts fellow addicts will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Rono · 10-05-2008, 01:55 PM

I would power wash that piece of wood with clean water. I have a couple pieces in my tank, and they are screwed to a piece of slate, I am sure the screws are stainless steel. Clean it good, it may seep for a while, but make sure you have enough weight underneath the wood to keep it from floating. Monitor your water conditions, perhaps do a few extra water changes than normal at first. I have one piece that I bought which looks like it is decaying, but it looks awesome. My placo, is constantly eating the surface of it. Loves to hang from it. Good luck finding your perfect piece.

Judge · 10-05-2008, 02:43 PM

Thanks Rono. Due to this being the end of the swim season I cut the perfect piece into about four smaller pieces and they are floating in the pool. I thought I would get them good and soaked and then power wash. I may even have them small enough to boil in my canner pot, we'll see.

Judge · 10-11-2008, 08:35 PM

Alrighty then, all I lack is water and some black paper/material to go behind my 3D plant background. I have worked on this all day long and here are some pic's of my progress throughout the day. (Sorry my camera is not as fancy as GM's).

Cooking driftwood.

Gluing plants in place

Judge · 10-11-2008, 08:37 PM

Empty Tank

Almost complete w/driftwood and substrate

Small driftwood piece

Larger driftwood piece

Judge · 10-11-2008, 08:38 PM

Still lack the black covering piece behind the 3d plants on the back of tank and the cover has yet to be made. Water is ready to be added. Whew, worked on it from 0900 to 1730!! Started this in July. Maybe I'll have it cycled by Thanksgiving! LOL

gm333 · 10-11-2008, 08:52 PM

Looks good, I think that is a background I have never seen before. It will be interesting to see what it looks like with water in it.

Mitchell · 10-11-2008, 09:48 PM

That tank looks bad ass =D

Judge · 10-12-2008, 01:07 PM

"As the Tank fills". Sounds like a soap opera doesn't it?? Finally, ammonia goes in this evening but it is all filled up, one of my pieces of wood did not stick to the rock so I have to redo that but all in all I am happy with it.

Mitchell · 10-12-2008, 01:34 PM

I think it's awesome.