diy cave for fish

[cocoa_pleco]

One way to make a good cave for a fish is just scrape out a coconut and boil it until the water is clean. My aulonocara and chinese algae eater love it. Snails and plecos like to eat the hair off the coconut too.

[Lady Hobbs]

I posted a few months ago about making caves from PVC pipe. You put aquarium silicone on it, roll it in aquarium gravel and it blends nicely into your landscape. Anything we can think up to save money is a GOOD thing.

[Nautilus291]

Those are both really good ideas. I think i would like the look of the coconut. The pvc idea is good for making something not that great/ cheap looking into something that fits well with your tank.

[jeffs99dime]

what about covering pvc with coconut shells!?

[Lady Hobbs]

Coco......I can't believe this. I have never heard of coconut's being used in aquariums until your post today. Tonight I was looking at plants on line and they had java ferns growing on coconuts. Kool!

[crackatinny]

I recenly built one by simply laying out shale in a horsesoe shape and building it up using silicon to hold it together

[sergo]

i know this is old, but would the coconut shell rot in the tank?

[bettaboy691]

not sure about the coconut shell rotting, but i made one of those PVC caves a while back and my corys love it. good idea

[Glasstapper]

It does release some tannins in the water, and over years they eventually do rot a little, but you would just replace it every couple of years.

I'm doing this same idea with clay pots for my mbuna tank. I'm so glad I had heard of this because I really don't like the look of the pots, but this way it will serve its purpose and be nice to look at! :)

[cocoa_pleco]

you just boil it and put it in a bowl with cool water and repeat 8 times or until the water is clear.
No, they dont rot. Ive had one in my tank since november and it hasnt rotted yet or leeched any toxins. since its just the shell, theres nothin really that can rot.

Also, plecos like to eat the hair off the coconut shell.

[sergo]

i'm assuming then that you have to scrape out the inside until you get to the shell?

[cocoa_pleco]

yeah. Theres the white stuff, then a thin layer of hard, then the thick layer of hard. Pry a butterknife between the thick and thin layer and pry the inside crap out.

[sergo]

got cha'. thanks for the info i think that actually may look pretty neat in the tank. do you have any pix?

[cocoa_pleco]

http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/new/87.asp

good link 2 the same thing i did.

My cameras at my summerhome.

[sergo]

that's neat. thanks!

[cocoa_pleco]

no prob:1: :1: :1: :1:

[kimmers318]

Must be nice to have a "summer home"thumbs2:

[sergo]

Must be nice to have a "summer home"thumbs2:i have a home for all seasons. it just happens to be the same one :hmm3grin2orange:

[cocoa_pleco]

Its fun to have my dirtbikes and quad out there. I just ride up to the river and theres TONS of sweet driftwood, plants, and fish.

And some freshwater water snake tried to bite me once

[Lauren B.]

The gravel-encrusted PVC for a cave is an awesome idea. I got a little giddy when I read that post because I immediately knew it was something I was going to try! :1luvu:

Is aquarium silicone the adhesive you use to repair cracks and leaks in a glass tank? Do they sell it at the aquarium store?

[Chrona]

The gravel-encrusted PVC for a cave is an awesome idea. I got a little giddy when I read that post because I immediately knew it was something I was going to try! :1luvu:

Is aquarium silicone the adhesive you use to repair cracks and leaks in a glass tank? Do they sell it at the aquarium store?

Yes, but it's usually cheaper at Home Depot or a local hardware store.

[Drumachine09]

Yes, but it's usually cheaper at Home Depot or a local hardware store.

Hardware store silicon is not always aquarium safe. some have special additives to to speed up the cureing process. Those additives could change your water parameters.

[Chrona]

Hardware store silicon is not always aquarium safe. some have special additives to to speed up the cureing process. Those additives could change your water parameters.

He/she said aquarium silicone though. Both my local hardware store and Home Depot carries this silicone by DAP specially made for aquariums. Comes in a blue hangcard and has fishies on the front :)

[cocoa_pleco]

i got silicone for 5$ at my lfs, its all-glass, or you can get marina for the same price about

[muffin]

Awesome idea. even better is that I have all kinds of PVC pipe in the garage that I am renting... also a variety of sizes.. I may have to go spend the $5 and get some silicon and see what I can make.. ;)

[Incredulous_Ed]

Does anyone else make caves out of rocks? I never really used pvc or coconut

[cocoa_pleco]

ive siliconed slate together to make caves too, but the coconuts my fave out of anything

[Willyleigh]

How about pineapples?

[cocoa_pleco]

pineapple would rot.

Are you spongebob? lol

[*Sarah*]

WOw, these are great ideas! I'll def have to try them :)