Why Slate for Pleco Caves

[bigbird]

Hi All,

I love reading up on the issues of home made attempts, bamboo, clay, PVC etc, however see in most photos slate being used and being squared. All in all this is a personal view, but these caves look too artificial than say a sandstone cave. Why do you use slate, is it easier to work with ? do the plecos rusp on them ? Is it a cheaper alternative ? or higher breeding success rate ? Would be interesting in your thoughts ? cheers jk :yes:

 

[FF MkII]

For me its cheap, easy to cut, inert so wont affect your PH and although the squareness does look artificial the actual slate is natural looking.

 

[scatz]

i think purely because its the easiest and cheapest way to make safe caves to the exact size that you want.
pvc and bamboo etc come as they are but with slate we can make them to any dimension that we choose

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
I suspect FF MkII and Scatz are right it was because slate was inert, reasonably easy to cut, and obtainable in flat tiles. Now Pleco caves are slate and square, it is a bit like the qwerty keyboard, it isn't the best, but it works, and it is the standard.

If you have a look at some of Haarvard Stoeres' threads on PC, he shows some stone caves he has made, which look much more natural. <http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=26493>

A while ago I gave MrG some holey wood to have a go with, but I don't know what he did with it?

cheers Darrel

 

[Big-B]

I still use coconuts :woohoo:

 

[RobHarrison]

Hi all,
I suspect FF MkII and Scatz are right it was because slate was inert, reasonably easy to cut, and obtainable in flat tiles. Now Pleco caves are slate and square, it is a bit like the qwerty keyboard, it isn't the best, but it works, and it is the standard.

If you have a look at some of Haarvard Stoeres' threads on PC, he shows some stone caves he has made, which look much more natural. <http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=26493>

A while ago I gave MrG some holey wood to have a go with, but I don't know what he did with it?

cheers Darrel

OMG that guys tank is absolutly amazing!!!