MrMom

I only use hardwood (was warned off of softwood and never looked back), but make sure you cure the driftwood before putting into a tank. This will help remove fungus, parasites, etc... Depending on the size, theres a few ways to go about it. I've cured 5 different pieces already (3 small so I could boil, 2 a little larger that took a little more work). Always best to presure wash it first then I found that boiling works best - but you need a cauldron/pot large enough to submerge it, and left to boil for 20 minutes (that's the water boiling the whole 20 minutes) For larger pieces it gets more complicated. What I did with my 2 larger pieces is had someone (my wife - big big trust here) pour the boiling water over the driftwood while I scrubbed it with a wire brush, did this about 5 or 6 times over the whole chunk of driftwood. Then they were ready for my tank. Now there's one step I left out at the beginning ... as it really depends on a persons preference, as it concerns TANNIS (what gives water that tea colour in some tanks). I've 3 tanks with driftwood, one has no tannis, one has light tannis and one has heavy tannis. (I was experimenting and learning). The larger the chunk, the more chance of tannis. Soaking the driftwood for some time submerged will help leach the tannis out, if using a tub/basin then you'll have to change the water every 2-3 days. But if you have access, throw it into a pond, lake, river; weighted down as the current will help remove said tannis. But bigger the chunk, the longer it'll take. Sorry if this is info overload, but I hope it helps. I got most of this info off the web from a couple of different sites when I started playing with driftwood.

Simply beautiful ... but the tank is missing something, maybe a chunk of driftwood IMO. Been thinking of setting up another tank for snakeheads, saw some Rainbow Snakeheads at a store here in Calgary. Now seeing yours ... very tempting. Once again .... Beautiful.

Hi Ben, welcome (I'm new myself) ... curious what kind of planted tank are you doing. I just recently started playing with plants, so always looking for any new ideas. Myself so far 55g low tech attempt.

Thanks ... he caught me off guard with that one. Standing up on a stool looking down at the tank, following his directions on where to place things as he handed them too me, I had no idea what was in store. I keep telling him it'd be a great tank for some small cichlids, but he's happy with the Swords and Guppies to begin with. Slowly picking up his own equipment for maintenance ... think he'll probably carry this hobby for a number of years. Now you can see why I'll be utilizing his input on my future scapes ... but his first project is to fix the layout of my 55g .... I'll post pics once thats completed.

Looks good .... I love the touches kids make on their tanks, my nine yr old chose bright rainbow gravel ... but it still turned out superb, just like your sons.

Here's a few pics of some of my notable fish ... First my Synodontis Ocellifer, had him 4 yrs (he came with my first tank ... so no idea on his age) ... Second my Senegal Bichir, had him about 6 months ... he's about 5 1/2" long now. Third and Forth pics are of my Banjo Catfish ... have had them about 4 months. Didn't have the setup for them when I got them, actually took some photos of the changes as I slowly adjusted their set up (began with just the blue gravel to the setup they have today) the forth pic is them eating bloodworms in their new surroundings.

Here's some pics of my 9 yr old sons tank ... 29 Gallon tall with guppies and swords. He did all the planning on aquascaping his tank, I was his labourer as he told me to put what where. I was quite impressed on what he created, and have decided I'll be utilizing his input on all my future tanks. So Glad he's taking an interest in the hobby too.

This is my 30 Gallon Banjo Catfish/Tropical tank .... as well as my first attempt at uploading pictures. Figured I'd edit and include a pic of my 55 Gallon tank ... this pic was before my son took one of my pieces of driftwood, needs to be rescaped now. Mainly just my Senegal Bichir, Synodontis Ocellifer and 3 Panda Garras in there. Looking to complete the tank with at least 2 pairs of African Butterfly Cichlids. (Its also my 1st attempt at a kinda low tech planted aquarium).

Filters come down to preference ... as previously stated. I too like the HOB Aquaclears, currently use Aquaclear 70 on 3 of my tanks, easy maintenance and great for beginners as well, and plenty of space for media. On my 29 and 30 Gallons tanks I have 1 each, and on my 55 Gallon I went with 2 AC70s (only have to buy one supply this way). I like extra filtration on my tanks so I've put a larger model on each tank. As for the motor not restarting, I only have to keep an eye on one tank. Its my oldest filter (was giving to me 4 yrs ago ... so no idea how old it is) and the motor is starting to wear. Hence it needs priming to restart. Have a new motor for it just haven't gotten around to changing it, as it still works great otherwise.

yep it is .... just gotta figure out how to post pics here and I'll be adding some. Hey Pat, yep I'm here now. thanks

Hey everyone ... had my first tank dropped into my lap so to speak, 4 yrs ago. Have come along way since then ... had alot to learn about fish keeping. Forums like this did me a world of good, just should've started looking for one 2 yrs sooner. Learnt about this site the other day, was buying some fish off a guy who showed it to me. And hey I live in Alberta .. why not join. This past year my oldest son has taken a real passion to the hobby as well, he's 9 and has his own tank now. 29 Gallon with swords and guppies. He planned the aquascape himself ... and to be honest did an awesome job. Thinking of letting him scape my next tank. Myself I currently have my 30 Gallon Banjo Catfish / tropical tank, it has 2 Banjo Catfish, 2 African Dwarf Frogs, 3 Black Skirt Tetra, 4 Amano Shrimp, 2 Serpae, 1 Bronze Corydora (the Serpae and Cory came with the tank), 1 Orange Mexican Dwarf Lobster (crayfish), Recently added 1 Peppered Corydora, 1 Palespotted Cory Cat and a Red Tailed Shark (they came with my sons Swords and Guppies off Kijiji - trying to find the Shark a new home now) As well as a 55 Gallon with my Senegal Bichir and Synodontis Ocellifer and 3 Panda Garra. The Syno came with the 30 Gallon originally, so don't know his age but he's at least 5" now. And my Bichir is about 51/2". Just recently added 2 African Butterfly Cichlids to the tank, trying to find a few more still. I've also been attempting a low tech planted tank with my 55G. As well this weekend I should be adding another 29 Gallon. Its a new hobby for me, gave up all my old ones when I became a Dad. So its nice to have one again, plus with my son gaining interest ... more time for bonding too.