Sluggo Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 I have just bought a great big bit of driftwood for a new tank. Trouble is that it is a floater, not a sinker! I have it soaking, but I don't think that it will do the trick. Can I safely attach a galvanised plate to the bottom to weigh it down? Would gal be safe for the fish? Cheers. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colfish Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 hi Pete a huge piece of driftwood will need a lot of weight to hold it down. i would not use a gal plate for the job. i would have concerns about the amount of zinc that would leach out and dissolve into the water, zinc poisioning would be a problem. i've used flat rocks. drill a hole through it and attach it to the wood with a s/steel screw. if this is not the way for you, try tying it to rocks using fishing line, or place rocks on it at various places untill it is completely soaked and will stay down. though this will take some time, depending on what the wood is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevguy Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 As Col said Gal would leech zinc and would be worse than plain blue/black steel,which i wouldn't use either. If you must go with a plate,the only one that would be safe imo is 316 s/s. Cols idea of rocks is a lot better though,perhaps even try a flat piece of slate and drill and screw(using s/s screws of course) that to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted February 10, 2008 Author Share Posted February 10, 2008 Many thanks, Colfish & Chevguy for your great feedback. I think I'll go with the rock attached with s/s screws, that will also position it nicely at the top level of the substrate or a little higher. Cheers, Peter I have just bought a great big bit of driftwood for a new tank. Trouble is that it is a floater, not a sinker! I have it soaking, but I don't think that it will do the trick. Can I safely attach a galvanised plate to the bottom to weigh it down? Would gal be safe for the fish? Cheers. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I wouldn't go using SS screws either. Give it a week or so and it will sink. It needs to become water logged to do this. If you cant wait then tie rocks on with fishing line until it sinks the remove the line later on Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colfish Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Give it a week or so and it will sink. hi Josh i think it really depends on what sort of wood it is. i had a piece of wood in a drum for 5 months, only just bouyant but still wouldn't stay down. a couple of flat rocks done the trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Miller Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Hi Col, .......only just bouyant but still wouldn't stay down. Weren't you saying something similar about your recent experiences with Viagra? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Don't rely on it to sink over time. I've had a piece floating for over 3 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colfish Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hi Col, .......only just bouyant but still wouldn't stay down. Weren't you saying something similar about your recent experiences with Viagra? hi Lee i've been meaning to have a chat to you about that , i'm sure you could give me some usefull info on the ups & downs. gotta be better than a couple of flat rocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imbie Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I have just bought a great big bit of driftwood for a new tank. Trouble is that it is a floater, not a sinker! I have it soaking, but I don't think that it will do the trick. Can I safely attach a galvanised plate to the bottom to weigh it down? Would gal be safe for the fish? Cheers. Peter Hi Sluggo Some woods stay permanent on top. So howabout cutting a teracotta pot 1/2 and let it sit on top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViS Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 The most effective weights are lead dive weights, available from any dive shop. You can get them wrapped in plastic if you are worried about the lead in the tank, but I've had weights in my tanks for years without a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAZ Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 There ya go Colfish.............1 x lead weighted dive belt + your regular dose of Viagra and Mrs Colfish will be smiling like Jim Carey for a week mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colfish Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 There ya go Colfish.............1 x lead weighted dive belt + your regular dose of Viagra and Mrs Colfish will be smiling like Jim Carey for a week mate. hey waz you guys are a mine of information , i had no idea you knew so much , must have a chat! just need some input from the 3rd member of the pack and i sure we'll arrive at a consensus thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Thanks all for a great response! I re-shaped part of the piece yesterday to suit my demanding aesthetic taste. When the sinking project is complete, and the tank up and running I'll post some pics. Cheers, Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobaltcraig Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 third one of the pack appears Ok Col heres my spin on things You being a driver and all you should already know about loads As for the ups and downs Those little blue tablets should fix all up or as I have been told by Lee and Wazza they really do work But hey if you take to many of those tablets at once thats were I can see the lead weighted belts coming in for good use or at worse senario you should be able to tie your load down I hope that helps you Col And sorry Paulachromis it probally wont help you mate and sorry for stealing your post But when dealing with the elderly its hard to stay on topic Cheers Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colfish Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Craig, you and Waz seem to have a difference of opinion on the use of lead weights. now i'm totally confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobaltcraig Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Craig, you and Waz seem to have a difference of opinion on the use of lead weights. now i'm totally confused No worries Col I think they have pills for that as well Maybe Lee and Waz can reply Only if they can remember where they put them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colfish Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Craig, you and Waz seem to have a difference of opinion on the use of lead weights. now i'm totally confused No worries Col I think they have pills for that as well Maybe Lee and Waz can reply Only if they can remember where they put them bahh, pills for this and pills for that! . what about the lead weights! i don't take pills for anything , [now where did i leave that____] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 Well, after soaking the piece of driftwood, shaping it to suit and attaching a weight ( I decided to use slate, siliconed on ) I still couldn't get it to sink so I did the right thing and chucked it! I got a great piece from Hi Tek Aquariums, a hollow log for the bottom and got some height perspective with branchy bits. Tank looks a treat, when I work out how to do it I'll post some pics. Thanks for all the replies, Cheers, Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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