Aquascaping with Manzanita

[Aquarist14]

Originally Posted by cradleoffilthfan

I would go with #3 as well. I really like that piece. Of course the other option would be to get both? :P

I agree with #3...Your defiantly right. Getting both would be awesome, but the piece is quite expensive because of the shipping so getting two would be far fetched for me.

One question...

Can you attach plants to manzanita? I mean it looks very delicate, although I might just keep it bare.

[Dollface]

Tie attaching moss and rhizome plants like anubias and java fern to it with 100% cotton thread.

[Kathyy]

The all cotton thread I found in my sewing box lasted all of a week in the tank. I was surprised the moss had attached itself in that time. Anubias wouldn't in that length of time.

I used nylon upholstery thread to retie other mossy spots on my wood, that will last much longer. Monofilament fishing line would work but I am bad enough at tying knots in thread let along that stuff.

Or you can glue it on. Super gel glue works great with the wood wet or dry. I have used it to glue moss, java fern, Anubias and Bolbitis to wood.

Or [I got this from watching ADA videos] tie the Anbias or fern to a bit of rock and wedge the rock into place. Working very nicely for me.

Agree about covering the wood. I don't want it completely covered and my bristlenose plecos agree, they love manzanita.

[Aquarist14]

Does manzanita look better bare or plants attached to it?

[cradleoffilthfan]

I would attach moss to it myself, but I think a lot of people have more issues with getting it to sink and not float. I guess after it's been in there a while, it would sink after time.

[amphirion]

Boiling the wood not only sterilizes it but also causes it to sink. Tie the moss on afterwards.

[Aquarist14]

In general does manzanita usually sink at first or must I boil or water log it?

[amphirion]

usually, its heavy enough to sink on his own. smaller pieces like twigs will float though.

[Diana]

It always floats for me. I have used mostly branches up to 2" diameter, some long enough to reach from end to end in the tanks. Even if I wedge it under the rim it is so light it twists around and floats.

Soak it, boil it if you have a container that will fit.

[somewhatshocked]

You can also drill the wood onto a piece of slate with a stainless steel screw to weight it down. Just cover the slate up with some of your substrate.

(Or, if you're without a drill, you can always zip tie it to heavy, long pieces of slate or to larger pieces of lava rock)

[Aquarist14]

On their website they say it sinks no matter what, but it seems hard to believe. I'll try to soak it or boil it, but since the piece is rather large it might be a problem.

If you guys haven't seen the piece yet its this,
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_0606.jpg

[somewhatshocked]

Unless they pre-soak it, it's not going to sink or stay put easily.

Even if you boil it, positioning could require attaching it to slate or something heavy to hold it down.

[apuhl20]

now that you have purchased it can you post or pm me the site you got it from. I like the look of this stuff and need a couple xl pieces.

[plantbrain]

98% of the Manzy will sink, and I often add slate just in case to some pieces mostly to keep them in a certain position because of my clumpy arms knocking stuff around etc.

Pre soaking it 1-2 weeks is a good idea, many do not, they add to the tank, place a stone on it to keep it put and then lightly remove the stone and test to see if it moves. After 2-3 weeks, most wood is going to stay put.

So you can go about it either way.

[Aquarist14]

Thanks guys. Actually he sold the piece I wanted . But I would like to know which looks better out of these three.

# 1 22"x7"x16"
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_0616.jpg

#2 27"x8"x14"
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/x...7/IMG_0417.jpg


#3 21"x11"x18"
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_0627.jpg


Please reply quick. I need to buy this now.