Art of Driftwood Arrangment ?

Star-flog · Post by **Star-flog** » 27 May 2005, 07:46

~ While trying to get more information on the 'art of driftwood arrangment', actually I found quite little of it!

Anyone has got any opinion/source on this subject matter? what I mean is, you arrange the driftwood in such a way that you can see your Pleco easily yet at the same time, providing hiding places for them, and look pretty...of course!

Also, things to look-out for in the driftwood, size, material, preparation and inspiration of layout etc..

There is no article ( I may be wrong !

and if so, I need a pointer ) on this important subject as most of Pleco needs wood one way than the others.

Agree?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 27 May 2005, 09:31

There is this article in Shane's world.

As to what driftwood to use, it's pretty much depending on what's available in the local area. If I said you should use X from Africa or South America, then it's highly likely that you'd be hunting that type down for a year without finding it, whilst Y is readily available in Singapore, because it's a Thai wood and equally good.

If you can, find a few different types of wood and mix it up a bit, then you have less worry about the potential of choosing the "wrong" wood. It can also be made to look BETTER with a few different types of wood, because it gives some variety.

Unless you've got plenty of experience in picking "wild" wood, I'd go to the fish shop and choose something. That way, you know (well, sort of at least) that it's not bad for your fish.

Any driftwood should be cleaned and soaked for 24 hours (at least) before it's put in your tank. Some people recommend boiling it too. If it's material that isn't from the local fish shop I'd definitely make sure it's boiled before it's put in the tank.

--
Mats

Star-flog · Post by **Star-flog** » 27 May 2005, 16:16

I read the article in Shane's world a couple of times and very informative, indeed! Thank You..

In Singapore, I would prefer to buy the woods from LFS. Most of the driftwood are Malaysian wood and has been treated (I think). Some fish farm in Singapore sell those driftwood by weight instead of by pieces (i.e S$10/per kg)

The arrangement of the driftwood is absolutely important because we wouldn't want to have a thick layers of driftwood and let them "disappeared" onto us.

If the layout is not proper, it may trap dirt and Pleco's waste....That is one reason I posted this message asking for opinion.

Post by **Shane** » 27 May 2005, 16:49

This might help

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... hp?t=11428

-Shane

ZebraPleco · Post by **ZebraPleco** » 27 May 2005, 18:51

I think there is a conflict with what you want. Most pleco favour places where they can hid out of sigh without being seen. You'll have to weight what you want more. To be able to see the pleco all the times or for the pleco to be confortable. You can't have both.
As for the wood arrangement. Try to make them look like they have fallen down naturally and then aged for 10 years or so. Try not to lean any wood against the glass, it makes it look like you're trying to fit a piece of wood that is too big to fit in your tank.

mad scientist · Post by **mad scientist** » 31 May 2005, 11:54

ZebraPleco wrote:I think there is a conflict with what you want. Most pl*co favour places where they can hid out of sigh without being seen. You'll have to weight what you want more. To be able to see the pl*co all the times or for the pl*co to be confortable. You can't have both.

I think that is what Star-flog is trying to achieve: arranging the wood in such a fashion, such that the pl*cos would feel comfortable whilst they remain somewhat in sight so that you don't have to come home after a long day to stare into an "empty tank". It is not something which is impossible to attain, just a matter of how it is being done.

I personally feel that it is very much trial & error. Try positioning a few pieces of wood in your tank and make adjustments here and there if neccessary. What's important's that you need to make sure that all your fishes inside feel safe and comfy with the arrangement.

As for wood in Singapore, I was told by several lfs owners that they too import wood from Indonesia. It is not always that wood are sold by weight. If you are familiar with the lfs in Singapore, you would know several popular ones like Blk 328 Clementi Ave 2 (aka C328) where they are sold by the size of the piece ranging from small(S) to XL. For bigger pieces, you might wish to visit Teo Aquatic Plants Supplies in the Lim Chu Kang/Neo Tiew area.

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Alan

Star-flog · Post by **Star-flog** » 31 May 2005, 12:17

mad scientist wrote:
I think that is what Star-flog is trying to achieve: arranging the wood in such a fashion, such that the pl*cos would feel comfortable whilst they remain somewhat in sight so that you don't have to come home after a long day to stare into an "empty tank". It is not something which is impossible to attain, just a matter of how it is being done.

I personally feel that it is very much trial & error. Try positioning a few pieces of wood in your tank and make adjustments here and there if neccessary. What's important's that you need to make sure that all your fishes inside feel safe and comfy with the arrangement.

As for wood in Singapore, I was told by several lfs owners that they too import wood from Indonesia. It is not always that wood are sold by weight. If you are familiar with the lfs in Singapore, you would know several popular ones like Blk 328 Clementi Ave 2 (aka C328) where they are sold by the size of the piece ranging from small(S) to XL. For bigger pieces, you might wish to visit Teo Aquatic Plants Supplies in the Lim Chu Kang/Neo Tiew area.

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Alan

Thanks Alan, that's exactly what I meant! To arrange the driftwood in such a fashion that the owner can see your Pleco all the time and your Pleco feels comfortable..

I was thinking using mirrors, or arrange all the driftwood in the middle of the tank or using not so bulky wood, or a driftwood has a minimial contact points on the substrate so less waste being trapped, or large substrate area (wider tank) and others possibilities..

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 31 May 2005, 12:46

Yes, with some consideration you can certainly achieve a good layout where the fish can hide and still be visible.

However, bear in mind that fish don't always do what you expect of it. For example, I had a pile of rocks that my gold nugget decided to hid within. I decided to change this into a couple of bamboo caved (just a 5 cm/2" diameter bamboo that I cut a section from). But instead of hiding in my special made cave, the fish decided that the corner under the filter was a good place to hide... I have seen one of my hide in there tho'.

Fish will do what they feel OK with, and not necessarily what you want.

--
Mats

Star-flog · Post by **Star-flog** » 01 Jun 2005, 05:59

MatsP wrote:Yes, with some consideration you can certainly achieve a good layout where the fish can hide and still be visible.

However, bear in mind that fish don't always do what you expect of it. For example, I had a pile of rocks that my gold nugget decided to hid within. I decided to change this into a couple of bamboo caved (just a 5 cm/2" diameter bamboo that I cut a section from). But instead of hiding in my special made cave, the fish decided that the corner under the filter was a good place to hide... I have seen one of my
Panaque Maccus
hide in there tho'.

Fish will do what they feel OK with, and not necessarily what you want.

--
Mats

Hi Mats, yes I do agree.
We, the master of their life, would do our utmost best to make them feel comfortable & happy in their 'home'. The least we can do as the pet owner!