Cave for BN Cat

**gronlaura** · 02-12-2013, 10:21 PM

Need to know if this is something that can be put in an aquarium safely - to use as a cave for my new BN cat: a ceramic toothbrush holder. It's the right size and has a nice big opening in the front. It would be a good size even when the little guy/girl grows up.

Can you put a ceramic item in the tank? It would be the same type of item as a glazed ceramic coffee cup.

Thanks.

**moghedan** · 02-13-2013, 01:05 PM

I suggest reading this. It is not a cut and dried as you might hope...

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/communit...or-fish-tanks/

**gronlaura** · 02-13-2013, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by moghedan

I suggest reading this. It is not a cut and dried as you might hope...

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/communit...or-fish-tanks/

Thanks. I will not take a chance and will look for an "aquarium safe" cave.

**talldutchie** · 02-13-2013, 02:44 PM

Quite a few aquarium keepers with a knack for pottery make them. There was a thread on that on planet cat not too long ago. Ah, here: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/v...hp?f=5&t=37904
That lists a lot of American suppliers.

**Goes to 11!** · 02-13-2013, 02:45 PM

PVC pipe can have substrate silicone onto it and be partially buried to disguise it or even simply slabs of tank safe rocks [I use slate] stacked accordingly can make comfy caves. It's safest IMO To bury stones until they barely protrude above the surface and put a slab of slate on top [Very stable this way] and then hollow out the substrate underneath the slab a bit. My L144 male loves a spot like this... Just an idea.

You can also buy pleco caves.

**gronlaura** · 02-13-2013, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by 850R

PVC pipe can have substrate silicone onto it and be partially buried to disguise it or even simply slabs of tank safe rocks [I use slate] stacked accordingly can make comfy caves. It's safest IMO To bury stones until they barely protrude above the surface and put a slab of slate on top [Very stable this way] and then hollow out the substrate underneath the slab a bit. My L144 male loves a spot like this... Just an idea.

You can also buy pleco caves.

The websites are great. I have a piece of slate and there are rocks already in the tank. Maybe I will try making my own - if not, then I now know where to buy one.

He/she is an active little thing, exploring all over the tank, cleaning all the artificial plants and zooming (and I mean zooming) across the front glass. What a hoot!

Is there algae on the plants and rocks that I can't see? My BN seems to be cleaning everything! And he/she found the Hikari algae wafer again overnight. Checked out the zucchini, but went for the wafer.

**fishmommie** · 02-13-2013, 11:57 PM

I'd do as was suggested and make a cave with the rocks you have. My BNplec is always hanging on the bottom of his cave.
Also - yours will find the zucchini eventually. Some here wedge a veggie wafer or piece of an algae wafer into the zucchini to lure the peco to the zucchini. As soon as it discovers fresh veggies, it will start eating. make sure you replace what's left every day to avoid breakdown of the veggie. Also - do you have driftwood in your tank? it's a must for plecos.
have fun!

**gronlaura** · 02-14-2013, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by fishmommie

I'd do as was suggested and make a cave with the rocks you have. My BNplec is always hanging on the bottom of his cave.
Also - yours will find the zucchini eventually. Some here wedge a veggie wafer or piece of an algae wafer into the zucchini to lure the peco to the zucchini. As soon as it discovers fresh veggies, it will start eating. make sure you replace what's left every day to avoid breakdown of the veggie. Also - do you have driftwood in your tank? it's a must for plecos.
have fun!

I have a nice big piece of driftwood which he loves. will try setting up the cave this weekend. There is a video of him on his driftwood in my journal.