[BryceM]

Has anyone kept a setup going long enough to know how long Manzanita wood will hold up? I recently removed some failry large branches (1" - 1.5" diameter) from a 2-year old tank. Large parts of the wood had become pretty soft and could be broken with almost no effort. Is this true for other woods as well?

 

[Zapins]

I've had Manzanita wood for 4 years or so and its still just about as hard as it was when I got it.

Other less dense wood will decay faster. Pine is awful for this reason.

I've often wondered about sealing wood in a clear plumbing epoxy so it doesn't rot. Any thoughts?

 

[BryceM]

bump.

Anyone else?

 

[davemonkey]

Do water conditions have a big impact on this? I had some Mopani for 2 yrs (in Central Texas) and when I removed it, it was just like the day I bought it.

I've got some here that I've had for 6-7 months (North Central-West Texas) and when I take it out to trim moss the bottom part that is stuck in the gravel smells slightly 'sulfury' and is softer than when I bought it.

-Dave

 

[Zapins]

Acidic water slows down the decay drastically.

 

[davemonkey]

Acidic water slows down the decay drastically.

Well, that makes sense. I'm not sure what the water quality was with my first driftwood (that was the pre-planted-tank-days), but where I'm at now the water is high pH.

 

[krisw]

I've found that the branchier manzanita becomes brittle/flexible within 6-12 months, but the denser pieces will last some time.