Cutting PVC for caves

[kimmisc]

.... why buy pipe and have to deal with cutting...??? why not look around at a local hardware, hd, lowes, etc... for pvc fittings... sch 40 drainage fittings are cheap - like $.34 for a coupling, using couplings , 90s or tees, etc could make some interesting caves. just a thought..

That's what I got! I should have been more worried about finding the silicone, because Lowe's nor Home Depot had aquarium safe silicone. All their's were GE Silicone I and Silicone II. The guy in the paint dept called GE and inquired, and they said they don't carry one that would be aquarium safe. I ended up paying $7ea. for 2 little tubes of aquarium silicone at Pet Lovers. And here I thought this DIY project was going to be cheap. Just alot more cavey instead.

Now for the fun part. I am going to *try* to make little fish condos.

 

[amhodge]

Okay I'm going to just look for the pipes and stuff. I'm just kinda scared about trying to saw pvc, especially lengthwise to take the bottom 25-30% off. Keep your fingers crossed that I still have fingers to cross tonight.

I may be completely wrong about what you're trying to accomplish, but why cut the bottom off at all? Can you just fill the bottom 25-30% of the tube(s) with gravel (even silicone it in there) and get the same shape and effect?

 

[kimmisc]

I'm not going to cut any of them. I got those little T sections and such instead of the plain long pipes.

I just went to Big Al's Online, and they have the kind of silicone I bought. It's $2.99 there for the same 3oz tubes I paid $7 each for. They have 10oz bottles online. I should have waited!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Save yourself a lot of time and headaches and visit http://www.rosenthalpottery.com/cavecatalog.html They are w/o doubt the best terra cotta caves you can find and the prices aint bad.

 

[MikenDanielle]

because Lowe's nor Home Depot had aquarium safe silicone. All their's were GE Silicone I and Silicone II.

From what I know GE Silicone I is aquarium safe. GE just doesn't tell people this because it is so cheap. I too called them and asked their opinion and they tried to tell me about some $24.99 a tube special aquarium stuff. As long as it says 100% silicone you will be ok. Its when they start adding mildew resitant stuff into the mix, like they do with GE Silicone II, that your in trouble. I actually just finished some PVC caves on the weekend using GE Silicone 1 and they have now been in my tank for almost 3 days... fish are still thriving!

Here's the thread of the progress on it if you are interested. Good luck!
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110559

 

[PDX-PLT]

The "up and down" motion saw that you maybe refering to is called a Reciprocating saw...another name that is used is a Jig-Saw...

FYI, in the U.S., a reciprocating saw is something different. It's a heavy-duty tool with a horizontal blade, used commonly for demolition. The archetype is the Milwaukee Sawzall.

 

[kimmisc]

because Lowe's nor Home Depot had aquarium safe silicone. All their's were GE Silicone I and Silicone II.

From what I know GE Silicone I is aquarium safe. GE just doesn't tell people this because it is so cheap. I too called them and asked their opinion and they tried to tell me about some $24.99 a tube special aquarium stuff. As long as it says 100% silicone you will be ok. Its when they start adding mildew resitant stuff into the mix, like they do with GE Silicone II, that your in trouble. I actually just finished some PVC caves on the weekend using GE Silicone 1 and they have now been in my tank for almost 3 days... fish are still thriving!

Here's the thread of the progress on it if you are interested. Good luck!
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110559

They both said 100% silicone, even the GE Silicone II, despite having bio-whatever in it to resist mildew. Both also said on the back "Do not use in aquariums." I didn't want to chance it. Why is GE giving up the sales of their safe silicone I when they're not even the makers of the aquarium silicone? They told the guy at Lowe's that they don't make any silicone safe for aquarium use.. to quote them, "Even after it cures, it will alter your pH."

Apparently, when they say "100% silicone," they're referring to the material being silicone, with no latex or other materials, and this doesn't take into account chemical additives.

 

[MikenDanielle]

They both said 100% silicone, even the GE Silicone II, despite having bio-whatever in it to resist mildew. Both also said on the back "Do not use in aquariums." I didn't want to chance it. Why is GE giving up the sales of their safe silicone I when they're not even the makers of the aquarium silicone? They told the guy at Lowe's that they don't make any silicone safe for aquarium use.. to quote them, "Even after it cures, it will alter your pH."

Apparently, when they say "100% silicone," they're referring to the material being silicone, with no latex or other materials, and this doesn't take into account chemical additives.

I don't know what to tell ya as to. But from the research I have done online, probably a good 6 hours, I have found people saying any 100% silicone with no additives, especially the mildew resistant stuff, such as the GE Silicone II, are absolutely safe for aquariums. My DIY PVC Cave has been in the tank nearing a full week now, all 6 fish seem super healthy, I am testing up to 2 times a day to monitor everything. My PH Has stayed steady 7.8 - 8.0 and I am quite happy with it. I would assume GE does not want to advise using it as they just do not want the headaches of people possibly taking them to court if there fish just happen to die after someone uses it in their aquarium. Alos, although the aquarium safe stuff is not marketed under the GE name, does not mea its not marketed under another name that GE may own and or be affiliated with. Just some thoughts. But if you want to research it yourself, try googling "GE Silicon I Aquariums" Brings up 65,900 results, the first 50 or so are people advocating its safety. If you are still hesitant, BigAls online sells 100 silicone, without mildicide, as aquarium safe for $2.99 for 3oz's or $6.19 for 10 oz.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18273/si1378881/cl0/allglasssiliconesealant3ozclear

What ever you decide I wish you the bets of luck!

 

[DarkSoul]

The glue gun Glue sticks that you may have in your country may differ than our in the UK, but i know ours here are not for use in aquaria, well, not the ones that i have seen here. MG gave a good answer for sticking and i agree on the 100% silicon..

The "up and down" motion saw that you maybe refering to is called a Reciprocating saw...another name that is used is a Jig-Saw...

Plastic drain pipe or waste pipe is always a good solution as its easy to cut and manage, you can get lots of shapes and sizes. Of course, with the waste pipe, you can buy the proper cutters so you get a nice clean cut..Many people have used silicon to coat the outsides of pvc pipe and used that to adhere gravel or sand to the outside which will help to disguise what it actually is and blend in with the rest of the aquarium..

Hope that helps a little...

Niko

here in Canada/US those tools are different items.

Jigsaw

Reciprocating saw (Sawzall)

A Sawzall would cut PVC better, but you still need clamps to hold it.... either way, the OP seems to have found a soloution

That's what I got! I should have been more worried about finding the silicone, because Lowe's nor Home Depot had aquarium safe silicone. All their's were GE Silicone I and Silicone II. The guy in the paint dept called GE and inquired, and they said they don't carry one that would be aquarium safe. I ended up paying $7ea. for 2 little tubes of aquarium silicone at Pet Lovers. And here I thought this DIY project was going to be cheap. Just alot more cavey instead.

Now for the fun part. I am going to *try* to make little fish condos.

because Lowe's nor Home Depot had aquarium safe silicone. All their's were GE Silicone I and Silicone II.

From what I know GE Silicone I is aquarium safe. GE just doesn't tell people this because it is so cheap. I too called them and asked their opinion and they tried to tell me about some $24.99 a tube special aquarium stuff. As long as it says 100% silicone you will be ok. Its when they start adding mildew resitant stuff into the mix, like they do with GE Silicone II, that your in trouble. I actually just finished some PVC caves on the weekend using GE Silicone 1 and they have now been in my tank for almost 3 days... fish are still thriving!

Here's the thread of the progress on it if you are interested. Good luck!
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110559

Ive read of many people using GE I without problem, and at least one guy who used GE II. Its the kitchen and bath stuff that has anti mildew agent in it due to the moisture it will encounter. the window and door shouldnt have any.... and I used GE II window & door for my background.... But i wont have fish for quite some time still, so I cant say if it is safe or not...

 

[MikenDanielle]

Ive read of many people using GE I without problem, and at least one guy who used GE II. Its the kitchen and bath stuff that has anti mildew agent in it due to the moisture it will encounter. the window and door shouldnt have any.... and I used GE II window & door for my background.... But i wont have fish for quite some time still, so I cant say if it is safe or not...

Im not totally sure about GE II, all the GE II Produts that are sold around here state on the front they are Mildew Resistant, but as my research showed, anything ht doesn't have these additive is absolutely safe for aquarium use.