Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 106

This wood originates from German peat bogs
where it has been preserved in the ground for cen-
turies. There is no concerns regarding particular
species of tree, as the preservation of the wood
has made them safe. Some are oak others are re-
ported to be conifers, both can have different den-
sities and effect the way the wood finally sinks. If
it’s not possible to collect this wood yourself, many
shops can stock it. This is some of the best looking
wood available as pieces can boast nice root sys-
tems and be available in very large sizes.
If you decide to collect wood from trees, then this
must be done in winter time as we can be sure that
the sap has gone back into the tree and reduces
the chance of sap leaching into the water. Cutting
wood straight from a tree will limit you to branches
most probably float, thus requiring you to weigh
the wood or permanently fixing it with aquarium
sealant. Depending on the source or the thickness
of the wood, the sinking process can take several
months. Thinner branches should sink in weeks.
Q My wood has white things growing on it,
should I be worried?
No, this is perfectly normal and can also appear
with certain types of wood purchased from your
local fish store. These are harmless white fungal
spores developing as a result of the wood sub-
merged in water. This will be more commonly seen
on wood that still has some bark attached to it, but
don’t worry. Although unsightly, the growths will
disappear over a few weeks either naturally or
from your cichlids grazing on the stuff.
rather than thick wood pieces. If you’re lucky, you
can collect wood from a dead fallen tree. This is a
better source if you wish to collect larger thicker
pieces, as the wood will be dead and quite weath-
ered. Make sure the wood isn’t rotten or harbours
any fungal growths.
Q How do I prepare the wood for aquarium use?
When you are happy with your wood, give it a
close inspection making sure there aren’t any fun-
gal spores and rotten areas. If the wood is large,
then cleaning will probably need to be done in a
bath or tub. Fill the bath with very hot water and
let the wood soak for a while. You can add a salt
solution if needed but this is completely optional.
With a hard brush, scrub the wood clean removing
any bark or debris. Once you’re happy, give the
wood a blast with a pressure washer and leave to
dry out in the elements for a couple of weeks. Pri-
or to adding the wood to the aquarium you can
leave the wood to soak in water for a few m