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humaid
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 Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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Hello everyone...
well, yesterday I collected some heavy pieces of Babul wood(Acacia nilotica). What I was wondering is, is it necessary to remove the bark? cuz it is giving a nice texture to the wood.... I shall remove all the loose pieces... Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Humaid. |
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retro_gk
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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| IIRC, the bark of the babul tree is used in ayurvedic remedies (in the treatment of diarrhoea?). It may be better to remove the bark, and allow the wood to cure thoroughly, before using it in aquaria. |
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Puneri-fishwala
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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Hello Humaid,
from were you have collected babul wood, |
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humaid
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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Thanks man...
will remove the bark n cure it... but the bark did give a lovely texture...  shall proceed with the process of cureing it soon... |
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ArnabPDas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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Concentrations of various tree alkaloids are usually the highest in locations under the bark, and they would tend to pollute water.
Though I have never experimented with that particular wood, I personally feel the bark should be removed and the wood should be cured thoroughly. A good way for curing is to boil the wood twice -- first in saline water and then in pure water, each time left overnight to cool off. |
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humaid
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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@ ArnabPDas
Thanks a lot. will defnitely do that...
@ Puneri-fishwala
I got the wood from an acquaintance's farm near Garade. |
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Hamza
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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I have processed a few pieces of wood for my tank. And yes the bark and all loose layers have to be removed completely, bark texture looks good outside water but, its not a good sight to see it disintegratingand rotting in you tank.
Heres my thread...I wrote the whole procedure for preparing wood for aquariums
http://indianaquariumhobbyist.com/community/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=8819&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
and my tank with all the wood I have made myself(the branches are of babool wood and in the end you'll find some roots of banyan tree)
This is a recently processed piece, I guess a piece of banyan root its about 16" long
I have a few more under preparation, their barks are removed, fully dried, ready to be soaked.
This piece is around 2' long
the new wood compared to my already processed wood
Rest of the pictures can be found here |
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sriki_discus
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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| beautiful shapes, if well cured, and placed appropriately, looks real good.... good luck.... |
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Tirtha C
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| Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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@Humaid, Acacia nilotica A.K.A Babool A.K.A Babla is one of the easily available Hardwood in India. You can use them in Aquarium. But remove the bark. Cause, the wood will not rot under water when it is cured, but the bark will rot away within month. These roten bark will spoil the water as well as will leach lots of alkaloids.
Remove the bark, and cure the wood properly before adding into tank. Make sure the wood is completely dried otherwise you will get a foul smell when it is under water for some days. |
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johnny
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| Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:14 am Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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@Hamza, so much wood on the floor! My parents would throw me out of the house if I have aquarium stuff lying around. 
A general question. assuming we do want to keep the bark, is there any alternative? like may be coat it with some varnish or something so that we can still have the natural look, with the bark that is, but keep the wood from leaching? |
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rohansd
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| Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:31 am Post subject: Re: Babul wood(Acacia nilotica) |
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Yes...
Varnish thing has been tried out before by one of our old time member.
I remember there was a thread about it too.
It does work but it might not suit if you have a pleco in the tank since it has a habit of chewing up on the wood. |
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