Storage of Layout Materials and Utilization of Layout Goods

When the layout materials such as stones and driftwood are not to be used for a long period of time despite their feature of being repeatedly usable, they should be kept in an appropriate manner. Stones should be left outside so that it will be exposed to rain, allowing the stone surface to be kept clean and ready for subsequent reuse for another layout. Driftwood,  on the other hand, should basically be kept dry to prevent damage caused by propagation of fungi as a result of being placed directly on the ground or in moist conditions. Before storing driftwood, the aquatic plants and algae on the wood’s surface should be removed by brushing. Note that the driftwood that has once been used in a layout may float in the water again if the wood has been dried to a certain extent. This symptom is often observed on Branch Wood which is light in weight.

To reuse the driftwood which is likely to float, it should be pre-soaked in a big tub filled with water; or some stones in adequate size should be placed on the arranged wood in the layout. In either case, the wood will stop floating in about one to three weeks time.

Lava Rock stone having a suitable size are useful as a weight /support for driftwood and it is handy to keep a stock of these stones. For joining two pieces of driftwood and securing the joined driftwood, the use of Cable Tie, is useful. Cable Tie, which is a black wire having a similar color to driftwood, will securely fix the driftwood without being noticeable. The layout will not look unnatural if the joint of the driftwood is covered by epiphytic plants to conceal the Wood Tight used. If several pieces of driftwood are skillfully joined in good balance and the joints are very obvious, it is also a good idea to use less-noticeable cable twist tie. This item will be barely visible if epiphytic plants are attached on top of it. More sophisticated driftwood layout will be made possible by making good use of stones in suitable sizes and various layout goods