Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2013 22:58:55 GMT -5
When it comes to preparing Cholla Cactus wood for your crabbies, many discover that it can be hard. I live in the Sonoran Desert, and there is TONS of Cholla skeletons around here. I have some in my tank right now, and they love it.
Anyway, when it comes to choosing your cholla, you may wan to take an entire cactus that is dead. When you have arrived at your house, take a saw of any kind, and cut the cholla to your desired lengths.
Once all of the cholla you want is completely cut, take a pen knife or something small and sharp and skin any of the dead skin off. Then use either the saw, your knife, or even sandpaper to straighten the edges.
Once your cholla is looking like you want it to, it's time to power wash. It can be extremely hard, but when done right is rewarded and makes your crabbies happier. What I do is I simply rinse off the outside, then change the mode to "jet" or "power wash", stick the nozzle up to the opening, and blast every last bit of dirt out of the cholla. I hold the hose there until the water coming ut of the end turns clear. I the move on to any smaller branches that are connected and do the same thing. You may not get all of the dirt out, but that is OK.
Then let your cholla sit somewhere for 10-15 minutes. Then place it in a pan that has tin foil inside, and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheating is complete, add your pan with cholla to the oven and set timer for about 20 minutes. When done, let cool, and add to your tank and watch your crabbies go crazy!
The reason why you don't need to worry about any dirt that didn't get out will be sterilized when baked.
They will eat it, so if you see little chisel marks it's OK.
Anyway, when it comes to choosing your cholla, you may wan to take an entire cactus that is dead. When you have arrived at your house, take a saw of any kind, and cut the cholla to your desired lengths.
Once all of the cholla you want is completely cut, take a pen knife or something small and sharp and skin any of the dead skin off. Then use either the saw, your knife, or even sandpaper to straighten the edges.
Once your cholla is looking like you want it to, it's time to power wash. It can be extremely hard, but when done right is rewarded and makes your crabbies happier. What I do is I simply rinse off the outside, then change the mode to "jet" or "power wash", stick the nozzle up to the opening, and blast every last bit of dirt out of the cholla. I hold the hose there until the water coming ut of the end turns clear. I the move on to any smaller branches that are connected and do the same thing. You may not get all of the dirt out, but that is OK.
Then let your cholla sit somewhere for 10-15 minutes. Then place it in a pan that has tin foil inside, and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheating is complete, add your pan with cholla to the oven and set timer for about 20 minutes. When done, let cool, and add to your tank and watch your crabbies go crazy!
The reason why you don't need to worry about any dirt that didn't get out will be sterilized when baked.
They will eat it, so if you see little chisel marks it's OK.