View Full Version : diy caves
does anyone know any good links to a good diy cave for african cichlids. Thanks
SayersWeb
12-18-2003, 12:29 AM
Broken flower pots are the easy and cheap solution.
How about some caves made of large rocks?
My Africans used to breed well with either of the above suggestions. I built some involved multi-layered caves a few times, but at gravel cleaning time they were a pain to take down and put back up.
From your question it sounds like you have something more involved in mind. Have you seen something you are interested in?
Actually I do have something in mind. click here (http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiygrotto/bndiygrotto.htm)
SayersWeb
12-18-2003, 12:49 AM
I knew it!!!! LOL!
What a cool idea! I worry a bit about the lava rock. It is very porous and I'd be afraid it would become a bacterial/parasitic breeding ground. Back in the old days we used lava rock in our DIY wet/dry filters but found it could create problems after a while.
If you could find smooth rock instead (from a local stone yard) it should still be inexpensive and less troublesome.
But smooth rocks are usually lighter in color, I don't think it would have the same affect. The pics sure look cool.
ps. I read my first post over and over, how did you know I had something in mind ??????????
SayersWeb
12-18-2003, 1:01 AM
Because I've seen many of your other posts and the level of knowledge you have shared.... I would have been a bit shocked if you couldn't figure out the flower pot and stone stacking on your own!! :scratch: LOL!
To be honest I have very little experience, but I read alot online. I dont think any of my posts took much knowledge. But about the diy caves do you think you would have to remove them for cleanings? Wouldn't fish poop just say in each cave?
SayersWeb
12-18-2003, 1:21 AM
Originally posted by Dean
But about the diy caves do you think you would have to remove them for cleanings? Wouldn't fish poop just say in each cave? It looks like the fish waste would be trapped in each cave by the glass. I'd worry about this over time. I think it may have the same effect as not cleaning the gravel for an extended period of time.
Looks easy enough to pull out of the tank. It's just hanging from the top. Although I'm not sure if i would drill a tank to install it. Maybe some nice hooks over the back edge of a glass tank could do the trick. Should come out just like a HOB filter would.
chefkeith
12-18-2003, 12:44 PM
I posted a diy cement/foam cave project that I did a few months back.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16256&highlight=cement+cave
The cement might drive up the ph for awhile, but for africans that might not matter.
I still haven't used my caves yet, they're still sitting in a tub of water. They will be in my aquarium soon though.
Aquarius0015
12-19-2003, 12:59 AM
I would have been a bit shocked if you couldn't figure out the flower pot
Well, I can't figure out this method on my own. How do you break terra cotta evenly? I don't want jagged pieces but I don't have access to a selection of power tools.
i cut terra cotta up with a carbide blade, for a jig saw i got at home depot, held in place on a wood dowel with a hose clamp. it works good and only cost like 2 bucks. they also sell carbide whole saws that quickly cut holes in clay pots but they are kinda pricey.
http://ourworld.cs.com/kraut491/saw.jpg
125gJoe
12-25-2003, 4:43 AM
Originally posted by BK
i cut terra cotta up with a carbide blade, ...http://ourworld.cs.com/kraut491/saw.jpg
Use a small 'stream' (maybe drops) of water when cutting.. It does work!
prerunnedyota
12-28-2003, 11:26 PM
in one of my tanks i used about a 2 inch wide black pvc pipe and used aquarium silicon then covered it with my substrate i think the look really good u can also put big rocks on em at least my fish like em alot
So lets say you can cut those pots anyway you want, what is the best way to arrange them for rift lake cichlids?
Call me stupid, but I can't imagine any huge stacks caves/holes out of pieces of terra cota pots... :D (Actually, I can imagine one, but it would take a gentle nudge from a small fry to crumble it down so that probably isn't it... :D )