Making caves...

kamanut · 07-29-2007, 05:38 PM

Besides the little flower pots (I have some that I broke in 1/2 and some that I left whole...), what else could I use to make caves for my cichlids (Blue Rams and Flag Cichlids) and bottom feeders (Cories) in my 3 foot, 58 gallon?

Also, how big should they be? I have the 4" flower pots in there now...will they work or do I need something bigger? My pet store suggested I have at least 15 caves, so I'm working on that...but I don't want to run out of room...lol.

Any other ideas for decorations? My other fish will be Pearl Gouramis, Cherry Barbs, and Flame Tetras.

fishbguy · 07-29-2007, 06:31 PM

i use flower pots, lace rock, regular rocks, aquarium caves bought from the lfs, ec. i pretty much use anything i can find that is fish safe

MaelStrom · 07-29-2007, 06:34 PM

15 caves?! How many fish are in there?

kamanut · 07-29-2007, 06:37 PM

Well it'll be 3 Pearl Gouramis, 8 Cherry Barbs, 6 Corys, 8 Flame Tetras, 2 Blue Rams, and 2 Flag Cichlids. The pet store guy was mainly concerned about the cories getting beat up or the cichlids quarreling amongst themselves. I might just stick to what I have and buy a bigger (like 6") pot in case they need bigger caves. Do you think my caves are too small?

**Ichthius** · 07-29-2007, 07:23 PM

I use slate/shale for my caves. My cories seem to enjoy them. You may be able to find some in a stream. Be sure to sterilize them first, if that's what you choose to do.

kamanut · 07-29-2007, 07:39 PM

I'm thinking of getting some PVC pipe to help out the cave situation and possibly decorating it with rocks and silicon sealant(aquarium safe, of course...)...will that work? Is it safe for the fish? Are there any other ways to decorate?

Also, would a minimal amount of sand look cool in my tank or is it just a big bother? I've heard it's hard to clean.

redpaulhus · 07-29-2007, 08:38 PM

my favorite caves are half-coconut shells.
I usually use the ones sold as lizard caves in the reptile dept - they have a perfect sized opening ("door") for dwarf cichlids or busynose plecos.
And at about $4 each they are relatively cheap.
I've also made my own, a local store sells the half coconut shells for twenty cents each, but I had to boil the shells and then drill them by hand - it took forever...

Lastly - I also use pre-made cichlid caves (sold at www.kensfish.com ) - I breed cichlids and ancistris plecos in them.

kamanut · 07-29-2007, 09:02 PM

Thanks--I love those caves on kensfish!!

Chaos553 · 07-29-2007, 09:12 PM

i use slate and my cories and cichlids love them.

i had a PVC pipe in it for a while, then realized how out of place it looked so i took it out. decorating it seems like it would be a good idea, but really i think if you can find some decent sized rocks around your area and wash them really well, you can use those to make caves.

Cefari · 07-29-2007, 09:24 PM

i just get a plastic cup and surround it with .5-2" rocks. Make sure you rinse the gravel before hand though.

Picture:

Obsidian · 07-29-2007, 09:51 PM

I have a PVC cave in each of my tanks. Well one is a cave and the other is more like a bridge. The fish seem to like them. I decorated via silicone and aquarium gravel.

kamanut · 07-29-2007, 10:12 PM

So can you give me a pretty detailed idea of how to decorate the pvc pipe with the silicon and gravel? Thanks!

Chaos553 · 07-29-2007, 10:34 PM

hmm cefari, thats a pretty sweet idea!

Obsidian · 07-29-2007, 10:41 PM

Use 100% pure silicone with no additives or anti anything agents.

Take that and your choice of decoration outside with the pipe.

Cover PVC generously if using regular gravel substrate, a full even coat if using something the size of sand grains. I would recommend the sand sized grains if possible, the gravel sized was hard to work with.

Roll cave in substrate until covered. You can also pour it over it, the pebbles will stick to the silicone. Make sure you clean the PVC and dry it thoroughly before adding the silicone. Its really easy.

http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...y061507105.jpg
http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...t=100_0693.jpg

kamanut · 07-30-2007, 11:37 AM

Awesome--thanks! It sounds like a fun project!

swordtailbreedr · 07-30-2007, 03:09 PM

jaust stack slate in the bottom and covr the whole bottom with it and there will be alot of places to hide but i think thats bad for the corries maybe
and gravel vacing

cbfishman · 08-10-2007, 04:15 PM

I have 1 cave in my 10 gal, i just made it out of 3medium sized rocks that i bought at the localfish store. one way to save spacein the caves, is to dig out the gravel from the bottom of your tank and then put the cave over the top of the shallow gravel.I hope this works for you... good luck

07-29-2007, 05:38 PM	#1
kamanut Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana/North Dakota Age: 21 Posts: 51	Making caves... Besides the little flower pots (I have some that I broke in 1/2 and some that I left whole...), what else could I use to make caves for my cichlids (Blue Rams and Flag Cichlids) and bottom feeders (Cories) in my 3 foot, 58 gallon? Also, how big should they be? I have the 4" flower pots in there now...will they work or do I need something bigger? My pet store suggested I have at least 15 caves, so I'm working on that...but I don't want to run out of room...lol. Any other ideas for decorations? My other fish will be Pearl Gouramis, Cherry Barbs, and Flame Tetras. __________________ 10g: Jewel cichlid 10g: Swordtail and guppy babies 29g: Male betta, 4 white clouds, bloodfin tetra, 3 yo-yo loaches, pleco, 3 harlequin rasboras 20gL: 2 guppies, 4 swordtails, pleco, 3 cories, dwarf gourami, female betta, 15g (divided):Red Zebra Cichlid hybrid 58g (cycling): 3 zebra danios, 2 pristella tetras Other: 2 year old Tiger Salamander named Geico 4 year old Paso Fino horse over 30 cats at my parents' farm

07-29-2007, 06:31 PM	#2
fishbguy I'm watching you Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: michigan Age: 17 Posts: 1,865	i use flower pots, lace rock, regular rocks, aquarium caves bought from the lfs, ec. i pretty much use anything i can find that is fish safe __________________ I think about you in the summertime And all the good times we had, baby It’s been a few years and I can’t deny The thought of you still makes me crazy I think about you in the summertime Summertime - New Kids On The Block

07-29-2007, 06:37 PM	#4
kamanut Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana/North Dakota Age: 21 Posts: 51	Well it'll be 3 Pearl Gouramis, 8 Cherry Barbs, 6 Corys, 8 Flame Tetras, 2 Blue Rams, and 2 Flag Cichlids. The pet store guy was mainly concerned about the cories getting beat up or the cichlids quarreling amongst themselves. I might just stick to what I have and buy a bigger (like 6") pot in case they need bigger caves. Do you think my caves are too small? __________________ 10g: Jewel cichlid 10g: Swordtail and guppy babies 29g: Male betta, 4 white clouds, bloodfin tetra, 3 yo-yo loaches, pleco, 3 harlequin rasboras 20gL: 2 guppies, 4 swordtails, pleco, 3 cories, dwarf gourami, female betta, 15g (divided):Red Zebra Cichlid hybrid 58g (cycling): 3 zebra danios, 2 pristella tetras Other: 2 year old Tiger Salamander named Geico 4 year old Paso Fino horse over 30 cats at my parents' farm

07-29-2007, 07:23 PM	#5
Ichthius Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Carolina Age: 18 Posts: 747	I use slate/shale for my caves. My cories seem to enjoy them. You may be able to find some in a stream. Be sure to sterilize them first, if that's what you choose to do. __________________ - Leah -

07-29-2007, 07:39 PM	#6
kamanut Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana/North Dakota Age: 21 Posts: 51	I'm thinking of getting some PVC pipe to help out the cave situation and possibly decorating it with rocks and silicon sealant(aquarium safe, of course...)...will that work? Is it safe for the fish? Are there any other ways to decorate? Also, would a minimal amount of sand look cool in my tank or is it just a big bother? I've heard it's hard to clean. __________________ 10g: Jewel cichlid 10g: Swordtail and guppy babies 29g: Male betta, 4 white clouds, bloodfin tetra, 3 yo-yo loaches, pleco, 3 harlequin rasboras 20gL: 2 guppies, 4 swordtails, pleco, 3 cories, dwarf gourami, female betta, 15g (divided):Red Zebra Cichlid hybrid 58g (cycling): 3 zebra danios, 2 pristella tetras Other: 2 year old Tiger Salamander named Geico 4 year old Paso Fino horse over 30 cats at my parents' farm

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07-29-2007, 06:34 PM	#3
MaelStrom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 319	15 caves?! How many fish are in there?

07-29-2007, 08:38 PM	#7
redpaulhus fishgeek Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boston Age: 38 Posts: 452	my favorite caves are half-coconut shells. I usually use the ones sold as lizard caves in the reptile dept - they have a perfect sized opening ("door") for dwarf cichlids or busynose plecos. And at about $4 each they are relatively cheap. I've also made my own, a local store sells the half coconut shells for twenty cents each, but I had to boil the shells and then drill them by hand - it took forever... Lastly - I also use pre-made cichlid caves (sold at www.kensfish.com ) - I breed cichlids and ancistris plecos in them.

07-29-2007, 09:02 PM	#8
kamanut Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana/North Dakota Age: 21 Posts: 51	Thanks--I love those caves on kensfish!! __________________ 10g: Jewel cichlid 10g: Swordtail and guppy babies 29g: Male betta, 4 white clouds, bloodfin tetra, 3 yo-yo loaches, pleco, 3 harlequin rasboras 20gL: 2 guppies, 4 swordtails, pleco, 3 cories, dwarf gourami, female betta, 15g (divided):Red Zebra Cichlid hybrid 58g (cycling): 3 zebra danios, 2 pristella tetras Other: 2 year old Tiger Salamander named Geico 4 year old Paso Fino horse over 30 cats at my parents' farm

07-29-2007, 09:12 PM	#9
Chaos553 Guilty Gear Anyone? Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 410	i use slate and my cories and cichlids love them. i had a PVC pipe in it for a while, then realized how out of place it looked so i took it out. decorating it seems like it would be a good idea, but really i think if you can find some decent sized rocks around your area and wash them really well, you can use those to make caves. __________________ 10-Gallon Tank Empty 20-Gallon -TONS of Fancy Guppies -3 Albino Corys 38-Gallon -1 Cherry Barb (hoping to get rid of possibly for more schools) -13 Neon Tetra -2 Geophagus Jurupari -1 Red-Eye Tetra -1 Bolivian Ram -1 Green Cory -1 Peppered Cory -2 Juli Cories -(a few more cories should do it)

07-29-2007, 09:24 PM	#10
Cefari Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Age: 16 Posts: 37	i just get a plastic cup and surround it with .5-2" rocks. Make sure you rinse the gravel before hand though. Picture: __________________ FishQuest Forums

07-29-2007, 09:51 PM	#11
Obsidian Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Age: 37 Posts: 998	I have a PVC cave in each of my tanks. Well one is a cave and the other is more like a bridge. The fish seem to like them. I decorated via silicone and aquarium gravel. __________________ Obsidian 20 gallon 1 Dwarf Gourami; 6 Cherry Barbs 4F 2M; 8 Black Neon Tetras; 3 Peppered Cory's; 1 Bristlenose Pleco 10 gallon 5 Zebra Danios 5.5 gallon Betta 100 gallon 8 giant danios; 4 Rosy Barbs, 2 German Blue Rams, 5 Julie Cory cats, 2 Burmese Loaches

07-29-2007, 10:12 PM	#12
kamanut Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana/North Dakota Age: 21 Posts: 51	So can you give me a pretty detailed idea of how to decorate the pvc pipe with the silicon and gravel? Thanks! __________________ 10g: Jewel cichlid 10g: Swordtail and guppy babies 29g: Male betta, 4 white clouds, bloodfin tetra, 3 yo-yo loaches, pleco, 3 harlequin rasboras 20gL: 2 guppies, 4 swordtails, pleco, 3 cories, dwarf gourami, female betta, 15g (divided):Red Zebra Cichlid hybrid 58g (cycling): 3 zebra danios, 2 pristella tetras Other: 2 year old Tiger Salamander named Geico 4 year old Paso Fino horse over 30 cats at my parents' farm

07-29-2007, 10:34 PM	#13
Chaos553 Guilty Gear Anyone? Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 410	hmm cefari, thats a pretty sweet idea! __________________ 10-Gallon Tank Empty 20-Gallon -TONS of Fancy Guppies -3 Albino Corys 38-Gallon -1 Cherry Barb (hoping to get rid of possibly for more schools) -13 Neon Tetra -2 Geophagus Jurupari -1 Red-Eye Tetra -1 Bolivian Ram -1 Green Cory -1 Peppered Cory -2 Juli Cories -(a few more cories should do it)

07-29-2007, 10:41 PM	#14
Obsidian Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Age: 37 Posts: 998	Use 100% pure silicone with no additives or anti anything agents. Take that and your choice of decoration outside with the pipe. Cover PVC generously if using regular gravel substrate, a full even coat if using something the size of sand grains. I would recommend the sand sized grains if possible, the gravel sized was hard to work with. Roll cave in substrate until covered. You can also pour it over it, the pebbles will stick to the silicone. Make sure you clean the PVC and dry it thoroughly before adding the silicone. Its really easy. http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...y061507105.jpg http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...t=100_0693.jpg __________________ Obsidian 20 gallon 1 Dwarf Gourami; 6 Cherry Barbs 4F 2M; 8 Black Neon Tetras; 3 Peppered Cory's; 1 Bristlenose Pleco 10 gallon 5 Zebra Danios 5.5 gallon Betta 100 gallon 8 giant danios; 4 Rosy Barbs, 2 German Blue Rams, 5 Julie Cory cats, 2 Burmese Loaches

07-30-2007, 11:37 AM	#15
kamanut Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montana/North Dakota Age: 21 Posts: 51	Awesome--thanks! It sounds like a fun project! __________________ 10g: Jewel cichlid 10g: Swordtail and guppy babies 29g: Male betta, 4 white clouds, bloodfin tetra, 3 yo-yo loaches, pleco, 3 harlequin rasboras 20gL: 2 guppies, 4 swordtails, pleco, 3 cories, dwarf gourami, female betta, 15g (divided):Red Zebra Cichlid hybrid 58g (cycling): 3 zebra danios, 2 pristella tetras Other: 2 year old Tiger Salamander named Geico 4 year old Paso Fino horse over 30 cats at my parents' farm

07-30-2007, 03:09 PM	#16
swordtailbreedr Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 16 Posts: 400	jaust stack slate in the bottom and covr the whole bottom with it and there will be alot of places to hide but i think thats bad for the corries maybe and gravel vacing

08-10-2007, 04:15 PM	#17
cbfishman Fishy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 13	I have 1 cave in my 10 gal, i just made it out of 3medium sized rocks that i bought at the localfish store. one way to save spacein the caves, is to dig out the gravel from the bottom of your tank and then put the cave over the top of the shallow gravel.I hope this works for you... good luck

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