Driftwood for my convicts

[Convict2161]

Do I really need to buy expensive drift wood that I'm not even sure what I'm getting?

I have a few ponds, lakes and streams in the area. Can't I just go for a nice walk and see if there's anything around? I'll wash it. Sterilize it etc... Seems like it would be a lot cheaper and I can pick put just what I like!

Your thoughts?

 

[garfy]

I don't see any problem with adding wood from a pond or lake as long as its well soaked and cleaned.If there are fish in the lake/pond where you get the wood from it should be safe enough.
I'm no expert though and this is just my opinion.

 

[DragonFish71]

No you don't. You can if you want, but it's not a necessity for convicts.

They are quite happy with plants (fake are fine) and terra cotta flower pots. They don't need a fancy set up, that's for us humans. Now granted, I do prefer DW, live plants etc for my tanks, and when I bred convicts thats how I had them set up, but always with the terra cotta plant pots. Easiest and cheapest caves ever.

I no longer keep cons (thought I am thinking about getting back into them) I now have firemouths, which are darn near the same as a con except for body shape/color. Their tank has DW (which came with the tank) live plants (trimming from my other tanks) and terra cotta pots.

 

[Convict2161]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Mouth-Brooder-Fanatic]

its not necessary but looks natural and is pretty! i got very basic pieces of DW (in truth one, but i wanted loads lol) from a lfs and soaked/ rinsed it for a week for a pleco, and its now in use as a shelter for a RZ juvie. the other has gone missing so i think it finally got eaten.
cons are best with caves and terracotta pots, but DW also if in the right shape can be a good nest x