Driftwood, too big?

[nkim1994]

Driftwood, too big? opinions...pH

Hi!

So I have a question... I found this really nice piece of driftwood for my 20 gallon... It will fit... but do you think it will take up too much surface area in my tank? I can return it but i really like the caves it makes and the swim through holes T.T

I attached some picture attachments, bc i dont know how to put pictures in posts... but please tell me your opinion!

also my ph is 7.4 about cycling still do you think it should be lower... or the driftwood would make it too low?

oh you attach at bottom lol

 

[PNWaquarist]

I'd keep it. Looks nice.

Driftwood leaches tannins slowly, and they're not acidic enough to change your pH abruptly. It'll stain the water (unless you boil it), but it's fine to keep in the tank during cycling.

 

[nkim1994]

do you think it would effect the surface area too much? for the fish Ill be getting...

I mainly want panda cories, harlequin rasboras, maybe some neons....

i was wondering if theyll have enough room to swim, especially since ill add more plants
... though there s a lot of swim throughs...

 

[Outlaw]

If you set it up at an angle, it should work great. I would think they would enjoy swimming around/through it. You could probably get some smaller plants to root onto it, would look great!

 

[PNWaquarist]

It should be fine. Plenty of room for the Harlequins/Neons to swim around/above it and plenty of exposed substrate for the corys. The corys will appreciate the extra hiding places.

 

[nkim1994]

Thank you^^ I was worried its too big and would have to return it...

didnt know if it was too much driftwood for a tank....

If i bought it at a store,,, do i still have to soak it....?

 

[Outlaw]

I would. You don't know where it has been, or how long it has been collecting "stuff." Better safe than sorry (sorry, generic, but it holds).

 

[nkim1994]

okay thanks^^ if it doesnt work hopefully i can just dry it out... and bring it back o.o

 

[Aliray]

Nice looking piece. the fish will love it, you can also use it to tie jave ferns to it and anubias, java moss or whatever.. I would keep it , Alison

 

[PNWaquarist]

okay thanks^^ if it doesnt work hopefully i can just dry it out... and bring it back o.o

Yeah, that's probably what I would do. (Unless you have access to an autoclave.)

I'd dry it in the sun for a few days to kill off colonies of microbial growth, and then soak it before adding it to your tank.

 

[nkim1994]

Sadly looks like I might take back the wood... I feel it is too big... if only it was smaller

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[gilpi]

I like big pieces like that. You can always cut a piece and save the rest in case you get a bigger tank later on. I recently got a couple of pieces not sure what kind of wood but heavy as rock and sinks in the water, no tint and no pH drop.


Sent from my iPad using Aquarium Advice