Sandblasted Grapevine in a Tank?

[mwood322]

Anyone see any potential problems with this. It would be the branchy pieces, not the pieces screwed together. I was thinking Anubias would look very interesting growing on it.

Also, is grapevine soft enough for gnawing plecs to eat?

--Mia

[Cearbhaill]

I use the grapevines in bromeliad planters kept outdoors and they hold up to the elements very well. I have some that have been rained on for 5+ years without losing their strength. Don't know how well they would hold up completely submerged, but they're pretty tough. Try keeping a piece underwater for a week or so then scraping it to test for softness- if it has softened up even a little then you know time will soften it further.

[wetmanNY]

McDaphnia uses grapevine in aquaria. And sandblasting has removed the bark and sap-containing inner cam,bium layer. So what's left is lignin and cellulose: pretty stable, mia.

BTW, how are the catfish fry?

[mwood322]

I've got one good looking one left. I have another who seems stuck at the size it is now. I think they actually compete among themselves quite a bit like the adults. I did identify my pair and am in the process of seperating it to its own breeding river tank.

--Mia