Working a tree stump into tank decor?

[NEO_72]

Hi all, my folks have a giant stump at their cottage, pulled out of the ground and inverted, getting blanched by the elements. Been there at least since they got the property a few years back. I didn't notice it, but they tell me it's about as wide as a minivan with lots of roots (they are prone to exaggerate - they are getting older after all :D ).

Got me thinking - in a 180, or if I'm lucky a 7' 210, that stump would go a long way, and would provide the scale necessary to make larger fish appear to be in a natural environment (my other decorations are just a little small).

I was thinking of getting a chainsaw, and hacking off pieces from the outside to custom fit into the aquarium - like maybe huge corner pieces, or even modules all along the back with the corners built out. I could cut the roots square along the bottom to sit flush, cut the tops square to just sit under the hood - saw and file off any dense/unsightly roots to free up passages for the fish - chisel out the inside of the pieces so they'd just be shells, to allow for less water displacement and more room for fishy caves - to me it sounds like a dream! You just can't find legit decorations like what I see in my head for this project.

It's just an idea right now, but I was hoping anyone who's done something similar could steer me clear of doing it the wrong way.

Would I need to get giant trash cans or tubs and soak the individual pcs before using? Should I seal the wood? I would think the final hollowed out pcs would be siliconed against the glass and where they'd join?

Also, as to the lighting - leaving the top of each piece intact would create great shadows, but maybe too dark? I could make voids in the top of each pc to let light trough...dark's probably more dramatic though (yes, I know how pathetic my life is when I obsess so much over a stupid fish tank! :D)

If it turns out as well as I picture it, there could be a market for combining a stump removal service with an aquarium decor company :D

Thanks in advance for your input :ok:

[bmxer_100]

I think it's an awesome idea, i have no tips besides take your clothes off before having a shower.
I think everyone obsesses over fish tanks here at least i do, my problem is i can never make up my mind. :)
Good luck.

[NEO_72]

Originally posted by bmxer_100
...take your clothes off before having a shower.

Unless you're in jail ;)

I'm going to have to figure out how to use a chainsaw without maiming myself...

[Glaive]

Tips for chainsaw.

Make sure the bar oil and gas are full.
Make sure the saw is fairly clean.
When you snug down the chain leave a little slack 1/4-1/2 inch.

Let the saw do the work, work it slowly at angle's along the cut line and do not push.

Be very aware of your own body and the location of the saw, as well as anyone near by it only takes a second and a little fatigue to cut yourself. I have a couple small nicks on my leg to prove it.

[NEO_72]

Thanks for the advice! I'll be printing this off and writing it on my arm before I start it up :D (not to mention reading every chanisaw post on the net!)

[Glaive]

Just go slow and you'll be fine, if it starts to bind slowly back it out and try your cut again.

[NEO_72]

Awesome - thanks!

[chc]

How long has the stump been out of the ground? You may need to soak it for several months.

Regardless, you could make a "cross-section" cut that would allow it to sit flush to the back of the tank.

Stumps are some of the best decorations available!

[Glaive]

Not to mention cutting it will make it easier to soak.

[NEO_72]

Yeah, the stump's been out of the ground for at least a few years.

I plan to cross cut at least two chunks to sit flush along the back - can't wait for spring!!

[crazyfishlady]

Just thought I'd be a PITA and spread the chainsaw love around.
(plus I haven't hijacked one of your threads in a while Neo :D ):saw: :saw: :saw: :saw: :saw: :saw: :saw: :saw:

[NEO_72]

That's the last time, woman!! :D Gonna get you rounded up!

[NEO_72]

...

[jonah]

I love that graphic.

I've got a stump in my 125g. I had to saw part of it off to get into the tank. I soaked it for a month, but it still wants to float after a year in the tank, but that's fine with me. The stump was a piece I found on the banks of Table Rock Lake in MO. My jurapari like to hang out under it.

[NEO_72]

Awesome Jonah - did you chisel any of the stump out? Do you have any pics? (fingers crossed :D)

Did it throw your ph down at all? Leech tanins?

[crazyfishlady]

LOL Neo! That crazyfishlady is perfect!! $50,000 USD? Isn't that like a bazillion Candian? :P :D I'll turn myself in for that.

Post pics when you get your stump all sorted out :).

[NEO_72]

Yeah, that's a long time coming - looking for a condo (or maybe townhouse) for a next winter close. Probably work on the stump this summer. Won't have the tank until I get the condo to put it in.

I've been planning on this stupid tank for a long time now :D I like the 180, as the 210 with the same footprint seems to be too deep to service. But I was thinking a 7x2x2' - that would aslo be a 210 (if I can persuade the g/f!!).

[fish speaker]

My turn to hijack: I agree about liking the 180. Solace and I just picked up a couple of tanks that used to be in a local restaurant. They have the same 6'x2' footprint, but they are 3' tall.:jaw:

I'm currently looking for a winch (or wench :twisted: ) and a wetsuit.

BTW, in cutting your stump, remember that you have to fit it through the opening in the top. I've been frustrated a few times, having things that would look just marvelous in the tank, but which I realized I would have to cut before I could get into the tank because of the cross braces.:oops:

CFL, are those chainsaws the kind of things you MN women use when icefishing? :wink:

[NEO_72]

Yeah, definitely have to consider the available space to insert objects in the tank - I have ideas to make many pieces modular and overlap them to cover both sides and most of the back, but with some a-symmetry....way ahead of myself!

[crazyfishlady]

Originally posted by fish speaker

CFL, are those chainsaws the kind of things you MN women use when icefishing? :wink:


I've used a chainsaw before, but not for ice fishing. - You need a power auger for that. :rolleyes: :D

[Ray]

sounds awesome!!! I would only worry about the weight of the tree stump on the bottom of the tank glass.
but being out of the ground it may have lost a good bit of weight due to rot so it may be perfect for that.... wish I'd thought of it my own self.

[jonah]

Originally posted by NEO_72
Awesome Jonah - did you chisel any of the stump out? Do you have any pics? (fingers crossed :D)

Did it throw your ph down at all? Leech tanins?

I sawed off a piece that was going against the back of the tank. It wouldn't fit into the top of the tank without being modified a little bit. Sorry there aren't any pictures. I'd shoot one now and post it, but I don't know where my firewire is located since I moved my PC. It's leeched some tanins into the water, but I haven't tested my pH since I added the stump. The water has a light tan color to it.

[bmxer_100]

You could cut the stump into peices and silicone them together once inside the tank, it would look like one giant piece.

[NEO_72]

Jonah - thanks.

Thanks for the input everyone.