alternative tank decor.

[mickey]

Any body got a pic of a coconut shell covered in java moss or info on how to create this aquarium decoration.
I hear it looks really well in the tank.
Your help is much appreciated.
cheers.

[superstein61]

Ahhh, like this:

http://www.speakeasy.org/~jfd61/fish/202hillstream2.jpg

Actually took that as a pic of my hillstream loach behind it - but its exactly what you are looking for.

I juist took the cocunt shell, cut it in half, cleaned out the inside, cut a little opening in front and then placed java moss over the top of the shell and wrapped some of my wife's green sewing thread (actually its my thread now - LOL - in with my fish supplies) around the shell to hold down the java moss til it could attach on its own.

Its grown in a lot as I have had to trim the moss cave/mound a couple times now. Never bothered to remove the thread as the moss fully covers it and you can't see it

[Molino]

That looks VERY nice. I might have to try that for my Apistos if I can make room in the tank. I think they would appreciate a nice cave for themselves.

[mickey]

Your coconut shell looks fab and would make a nice addition to most tanks.
Ps. did you have to boil the shell or give it any special treatment before adding it to your tank.
Cheeers.

[superstein61]

Thanks. I can't recall if I boiled it or not. I may have - I was boiling a lot of things when I was setting up the tank - LOL. Anyway, boiling it won't hurt.

[superstein61]

Originally posted by Molino
That looks VERY nice. I might have to try that for my Apistos if I can make room in the tank. I think they would appreciate a nice cave for themselves.

Thanks - actually I have two of them in my 72 gallon - and my dwarf cichlids love them. however, my yo-yo loach also really enjoys it and since he is bigger than everyone (and psycho as well) he has appropriated one of these caves.

Depending on their mood, I usually see either my Pelvichromis taenitus Nigerian Green in the other one - although a newcomer to my tank - the male from a pair of Nanochromis Transvestitus is trying to stake his claim to one of them

[nvision]

sweet coconut shell. would you happen to keep a pleco with it?

i used to have a shell like that, without the moss, which a pair of kribs have always spawn in. after a good year or two, the thickness of it was reduced to paper-thin, with several emerged holes. that was when i realized that my pleco has been grazing on it from the inside out!

[superstein61]

Originally posted by nvision
sweet coconut shell. would you happen to keep a pleco with it?

i used to have a shell like that, without the moss, which a pair of kribs have always spawn in. after a good year or two, the thickness of it was reduced to paper-thin, with several emerged holes. that was when i realized that my pleco has been grazing on it from the inside out!

I do have a Bristlenose in the tank - but never seem him in it - and I thjink the opening may be too tight for him to squeeze in.

besides, he has plenty of other driftwood he can get to easily for fiber

[Booswalia]

Superstein61,
Your tank is beautiful. A true work of art.

[superstein61]

Originally posted by Booswalia
Superstein61,
Your tank is beautiful. A true work of art.

Thanks much, i appreciate your kind words - and actually its changed from my last photo's I will have to put up some new ones up when I have some time to take new pics - some more plants added - and completely switched over to all live plants