Fish caves, what to use?

sneasle · 07-16-2008, 03:33 PM

Anyone have any favorite things to use?

I've been considering using these links as a starting point to making some of my own, but if I do that I will end up with lots of extra material. Would anyone be interested in the extra's? If I make some myself they will be done with a black/blue sand mix with black gravel to match my tanks.

http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects...oration/99.asp

http://www.petfish.net/articles/Do-I...nstuctions.php

fish fanatic · 07-16-2008, 07:49 PM

I would definitely be interested in extras! I am on a very low budget! and don't have money for decorations and such

fish fanatic · 07-16-2008, 07:51 PM

Really like the 2nd website better!

sneasle · 07-16-2008, 09:03 PM

kk, i'll keep you in mind.

It will depend on how much materials come out to cost me.

COM · 07-17-2008, 07:17 AM

I don't particularly like either one, honestly. I prefer rocks or terra cotta pots.

trashion · 07-17-2008, 08:27 AM

I agree with COM. You can put great caves together with river rocks!

COM · 07-17-2008, 09:39 AM

...Or nice pieces of bluestone pavers from the scrap heap at the garden shop. Smash with hammer and stack or silicone.

mykidsmom · 07-17-2008, 02:26 PM

I thought they were both interesting, but I liked the second site better. I have taken the larger 'wye' and 'cross' joints of pvc and covered them in silicone and rolled in gravel. That way they have 3 or 4 entrances and exits per 'cave' and you can stack them for multiple tiers. Not real pretty, but plenty serviceable.

Terra cotta 'strawberry pots' are pretty cool for cichlids - especially if you can find the larger ones. I have one that I divided the inside into 4 'chambers' with brown plastic canvas (so more fish could 'enjoy' it - if left undivided then the king and queen of the tank would claim it as 'theirs' and wouldn't share)Then I set it in the tank - top side down. The fish seem to like it! You can also 'break' terracotta pots into halves (or other large pieces) and stack the resulting curved pieces.

As far as the stacked stone - maybe he's trying to avoid the extra weight? The pvc would definietly be lighter!

As for those of you who use real stacked stone pieces, do you find that silicone doesn't 'grab' very well after a while? Do any of you use that epoxy putty that comes in a stick? How well does it hold (compared to the silicone)?

COM · 07-17-2008, 02:33 PM

I don't bother with silicone or any other epoxy. I use big, heavy pieces of stone and stack them in a way that makes them very sturdy. I mainly use scrap pavers, as stated above, and since they were cut into rectangular forms they have lots of flat edges.

sneasle · 07-17-2008, 03:00 PM

Well, I do plan on building a nice rock structure (look at the newer pics in my thread in users journals), but I want something more cave like. I have flat rocks, river rocks, broken pots, and driftwood, but it still doesn't give me what I want.

If I had the tools, I would take some acryllic and heat it and morph it into the shapes I want. I kinda want to put something together that will allow access to an under substrate area, if that makes any sense, some more cave ish then just stacked rocks.

07-16-2008, 03:33 PM	#1
sneasle Airplane Nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auburn, AL Age: 21 Posts: 119 User Feedback: (0)	Fish caves, what to use? Anyone have any favorite things to use? I've been considering using these links as a starting point to making some of my own, but if I do that I will end up with lots of extra material. Would anyone be interested in the extra's? If I make some myself they will be done with a black/blue sand mix with black gravel to match my tanks. http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects...oration/99.asp http://www.petfish.net/articles/Do-I...nstuctions.php

07-17-2008, 08:27 AM	#6
trashion girl anachronism Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 932 User Feedback: (0)	I agree with COM. You can put great caves together with river rocks! __________________ current setup: 15 gallon, planted w/ pressurized co2, 55watts PC lighting, EI fert dosing. -5 harlequin rasboras -7 Aspidoras pauciradiatus (sixray or false corydoras) for reference: my name is Julie

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How to build caves?	it4lian	DIY (Do It Yourself)	10	03-18-2008 01:31 AM
Making caves...	kamanut	General Freshwater	16	08-10-2007 04:15 PM
DIY Caves	Christine	DIY (Do It Yourself)	1	10-29-2006 04:07 PM
Pleco caves.. free ship	Worldwide73	Want To Sell	1	03-27-2006 02:15 PM
Coconut Caves for Sale (USA)	wildtiger	Want To Sell	0	10-30-2005 10:10 AM

Members currently in the Chat:0
	Users In Chat Room: There are several users in chat now! Don't Be Shy - click here and come on in!

07-16-2008, 07:49 PM	#2
fish fanatic Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 53 User Feedback: (0)	I would definitely be interested in extras! I am on a very low budget! and don't have money for decorations and such

07-16-2008, 07:51 PM	#3
fish fanatic Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 53 User Feedback: (0)	Really like the 2nd website better!

07-16-2008, 09:03 PM	#4
sneasle Airplane Nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auburn, AL Age: 21 Posts: 119 User Feedback: (0)	kk, i'll keep you in mind. It will depend on how much materials come out to cost me.

07-17-2008, 07:17 AM	#5
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 305 User Feedback: (0)	I don't particularly like either one, honestly. I prefer rocks or terra cotta pots.

07-17-2008, 09:39 AM	#7
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 305 User Feedback: (0)	...Or nice pieces of bluestone pavers from the scrap heap at the garden shop. Smash with hammer and stack or silicone.

07-17-2008, 02:26 PM	#8
mykidsmom First Lady of Fishland Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Greater Gwinnett County, GA Posts: 19 User Feedback: (0)	I thought they were both interesting, but I liked the second site better. I have taken the larger 'wye' and 'cross' joints of pvc and covered them in silicone and rolled in gravel. That way they have 3 or 4 entrances and exits per 'cave' and you can stack them for multiple tiers. Not real pretty, but plenty serviceable. Terra cotta 'strawberry pots' are pretty cool for cichlids - especially if you can find the larger ones. I have one that I divided the inside into 4 'chambers' with brown plastic canvas (so more fish could 'enjoy' it - if left undivided then the king and queen of the tank would claim it as 'theirs' and wouldn't share)Then I set it in the tank - top side down. The fish seem to like it! You can also 'break' terracotta pots into halves (or other large pieces) and stack the resulting curved pieces. As far as the stacked stone - maybe he's trying to avoid the extra weight? The pvc would definietly be lighter! As for those of you who use real stacked stone pieces, do you find that silicone doesn't 'grab' very well after a while? Do any of you use that epoxy putty that comes in a stick? How well does it hold (compared to the silicone)?

07-17-2008, 02:33 PM	#9
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 305 User Feedback: (0)	I don't bother with silicone or any other epoxy. I use big, heavy pieces of stone and stack them in a way that makes them very sturdy. I mainly use scrap pavers, as stated above, and since they were cut into rectangular forms they have lots of flat edges.

07-17-2008, 03:00 PM	#10
sneasle Airplane Nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auburn, AL Age: 21 Posts: 119 User Feedback: (0)	Well, I do plan on building a nice rock structure (look at the newer pics in my thread in users journals), but I want something more cave like. I have flat rocks, river rocks, broken pots, and driftwood, but it still doesn't give me what I want. If I had the tools, I would take some acryllic and heat it and morph it into the shapes I want. I kinda want to put something together that will allow access to an under substrate area, if that makes any sense, some more cave ish then just stacked rocks.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)