Driftwood collecting?

If this appears twice, forgive me.  I meant to post it yesterday.

I'm thinking of trying DIY driftwood ornamentation for a couple new (to me) tanks I'm setting up.

I'm new to Central Illinois.  Can anyone recommend a location on a local lake or stream where I might be able to collect driftwood?

TIA

I've had pretty good luck going to one of the lakes North of town (Lake Bloomington and Lake Evergreen), probably more so Lake Bloomington.

They are pretty easy to get to, just head North on I-39 and follow the signs. They are not far as they are where Bloomington get their water from.

Anyone interested in having a driftwood collection party? I'll go as I could use some pieces for the plecos.

DavidZ

It looks like the weather might be suitable for such an expedition this weekend. I'd be game for either Saturday or Sunday. If we go Saturday, my wife might come along.

I can't do it this Saturday, but can Sunday. I can do it next Saturday.

Let me know what you prefer and I can send out an email to everyone.

DZ

This Sunday would be good. Or the following weekend.

I just filled a newly acquired 40 breeder and a 150 monster with water. I think I've been seasoning tanks in an expensive way: Put fish in them till they stop dying. I'm going try to be more patient this time and not add fish for a month. So: There's no hurry.

I'll send out an email for Saturday the 9th.

DZ

Hey, Kenneth... not to change the subject, but have you tried the pure ammonia method of cycling tanks yet? I actually tried it, after being skeptical about the safety of such a thing, and it does work. I just put a few teaspoons of ammonia in my 75 gallon every day or two for about 3 weeks or so, with no fish, and monitored the water parameters. I was pleasantly surprised, and it was easy. Just wondering if anyone else had tried it also...

I've heard that you can do that, just never tried it.

DZ

I thought about that, and even bought a jug of ammonia at Menards. Then I was at Premium Pet Supply and saw "DrTim's Aquatics One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria for Cycling Aquaria". It's kinda pricey, but I decided to try it.

Then, after putting the stuff in my tanks, I realized that I need to feed the bacteria, too. So, the 150 has four yellow labs in it. They seem fine. So far, so good.

Come to think of it, when you mentioned the need to feed the bacteria... I remembered I also added a small amount of fish food in addition to the ammonia each day. No fish were eating it, obviously; but I think the idea was that it broke down similar to fish waste to contribute to creating and maintaining the biological cycle.

Note to anyone else not familiar with the method... just make sure you use pure ammonia with no added detergents or surfactants, which is sometimes surprisingly difficult to find. I think I ended up finding a generic brand somewhere that was 100% with no additives.