Pictures of your setup

[taureandragon76]

As said the water is lower for the archer. If I kept it right up to the top I probably would not have an archer anymore as he does at times like to jump for his food, and I have no top for the tank. I also feed him by sticking the crickets and jumbo mysis on the glass for him to spit down. This tank is in my bedroom and yes the waterfall from the AC110 is loud but I doubt I could sleep without it.

Oh and it is a 60g diamond tank.

[PolishPuff]

[Iliveinazoo]

Aksamit nice tank.
What is that structure on the right hand side? I love it.

Is your cerataphlum demersum planted in the substrate? It may die off as it is naturally a floating plant, it will survive nicely if tied to a branch or rock though.

[PolishPuff]

I've learned to prepare driftwood my self and that what it is, its in the middle so puffs can swim a round it . I got rid of that plant cuz it was a meas.

[Flutter]

Aksamit, how did you prepare your own wood? How is the bark holding up?

[PolishPuff]

Its a long process, about two weeks but I can pick what I want in my tank and not what they got for me in the stores. I you like I can post how its done

[Flutter]

I would love to hear it.

I've got some branches but I'm not 100% sure of how to prepare them. I was thinking of baking them then varnishing them as the bark is red and I want it to keep that colouring. I don't know how well that'll work though...

[CarmenH]

If you could post to here, that would be awesome! I don't have any current plans but i'm curious and one never knows!

[PolishPuff]

Sorry it took me so long, but I had leave ( eat some turkey )

1st method. The bark should be taken off, rotten particles should be
cleaned out. After this the future decor is boiled in an enamel bowel at least for 1 hr (depending on the size of the branch) in a saturated solution of salt. Bactericidal agents are not needed, since the wood after boiling procedure is sterile. Then the driftwood is put in fresh water and boiled for 3 to 4 hrs.

2nd method. With this method any sort of wood, dead or live, except for conifer wood, caters for. The best are roots and branches of pu$$y-willow or other kind of willow.

The dirt must be rinsed off, and the bark - taken off. Then with a saw and knife the desired shape is put to the driftwood. The billet is placed in to an electric or a gas stove and is annealed for 2-3 hrs at a temperature 392-482 ?F. Higher temperature is not recommended because the branches and protruding parts of driftwood may get charred.

During these 2-3 hrs the wood will lose the whole water, and (this is very important) the inner layers of wood will undergo a complete sterilization. The surface of the driftwood will acquire a fine red color.

The further procedures repeat the traditional (1st) method: the wood is placed in a saturated solution of salt and is boiled and then is boiled in fresh water. Adding potassium permanganate (one tablespoon per 10 liters of water) provides even the better result: the substance is bactericidal and gives a more intensive coloring to the wood.

Before placing the prepared driftwood into the tank some more procedures should be done: cooling, rinsing and soaking in a bucket (1-2 days) to avoid an infusorial splash. The ready driftwood is good to be a decor.

To prevent drifting, the wood is fastened by resting its top end on the horizontal framework of the tank or by tying it with a fishing line to a Plexiglas plate, which is positioned at the tank bottom and is hold by pebbles and sand.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Neat info. I'll have to try that with my next tank.

I love your tank. It's absolutely gorgeous.

[PolishPuff]

Thx you guys

[Pufferpunk]

Looks very... mysterious.

[PolishPuff]

I'm glad you like it PP

[Iliveinazoo]

Cheers Aksamit, good info!

[Lil' Swimz$]

Wow. What a beautiful tank! And thanks for the great info.