DIY Caves

[Mooo]

G'day Everyone
I would like to share with you a proven DIY Cave, I found one in a forum, Kudos goes to http://www.plecofanatics.com/articles/showentry.php?e=88&catid=2 & Mathew Beaugard(sp) from the www.fishcave.com.au

OK This is what I did...
I used a clay/terracotta pot from my local nursery(70cents), 6cms x 6cms, hack-sawed it in two halves, with a half rounded basturd file (I know it is spelt wrong but it wouldn't let me write it cos it was swearing lol),
I made the opening of the cave & smoothed off the edges with the file..
Using Selleys aquarium silicone, I stuck the two halves into the cave shape. Then dismantled a cheap picture frame, and stuck the pot/cave onto the glass, Leave 4>6 days to cure..
Viola.. The perfect & proven BN breeding cave ...:yes:

The happy home owner

Then I got even more creative lol & made another one into a camo cave
This time I got smarter & used a Dremel to cut it...

:woohoo:

 

[Catfishrok]

did u just use the silicone to glue the rocks to it, I think i might give it a go with sand and dirt do u think that will work the same as rocks.
Thanx and nice job
Aaron

 

[Mooo]

Hi Aaron, yes I used Selleys silicone for aquariums to attach the rocks, I it would looks good with sand..Give it a go..its inexpensive..:yes:

 

[Brengun]

Pretty sure I have seen those pots already cut in half at garden centres for mounting on a wall or such. Didn't think of the cheap glass from a picture frame tho. Good tip Mooo.

 

[Mooo]

Pretty sure I have seen those pots already cut in half at garden centres for mounting on a wall or such. Didn't think of the cheap glass from a picture frame tho. Good tip Mooo.

Yeah you can prolly get the pots already cut in craft shops too, but I have heaps from the rams, so I am using the dremel now to halve them lol. sounds like a dentist drill :cry:
Oh and I had a spare broke lid , & while the glass man was fixing the window when Bonnie broke it, I got him to cut the lid up into cave sized rectangles, So I got a heap of them now, ready to glue caves on to :lol::clap:

 

[Doodles]

I love those spy caves, such a great idea to put glass on the bottom. Like the camo cave lol


it would be a miracle if you can get the PF link to work

 

[Mooo]

Oh pffft PF :lol: ..yeah I forgot about that lol oops.
Thanks for that Doodles...I didn't twig to that, prolly never would have either :clap:.....Lucky someone is on da ball :yes:

 

[C8lyn]

I'm gonna get right into making some of these caves after ive finished tafe. What rocks did you use on the camo cave?

 

[Mooo]

The gravel I used for the camo cave is just small gravel from one of my tanks..I also think sand would work well...easier to stick on too...

 

[C8lyn]

Ive got some little pots. Just gotta find me some bits of glass
Then decide how I'm gonna decorate them. I don't have any sand in my tank so i don't know if that would fit in. I'll make up my mind sooner or later :lol:

 

[bigbird]

wow what a good idea. Now I have something to do over the weekend.
cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[Mooo]

Do you live near a beach ?mm no 2 hours away ummm Ok or a river bed ? if not , you can buy sand from the local nursery or landscaping supply depot...Just give any thing your going to stick on the cave a very good wash...rinse & rinse & rinse, Let it dry then stick to cave

 

[smart]

you can try the sand, but might be more difficult than you think, i tried it a few years back on some tubes, i covered them in silicone and rolled it through some sand but it didn't stick so tried letting it cure abit and just covering them in sand and tipped off the excess once it was dry, got in a bit of a mess but had a couple of good tubes out of it.

 

[C8lyn]

Just started one of these caves tonight :clap:
All need now is some silicone and a piece of glass.

 

[pleco_]

do you guy think pleco could breed in them.

thank you

 

[Mooo]

I don't know what will bread in them other than bns, Cos I've only ever bred the bns, I think the smaller L numbers like a tight fit...you could try making a smaller one and a larger one to see which they prefer, then write a topic about them...That'd be great...

 

[littlebristlenose]

The pots come in different sizes my local shop stocks ones suitable from shrimp size to 24 inch super sized ones so making caves from each size is worth it as you can upgrade the caves as the fish grow and they will take even the largest pleco.
Use a file on entrance to cave is a must to smooth edge down or you can get some injuries.
File can be used on roof of cave to rough up to attach moss,,gravel, sand or Anubias.
Some one on another forum ( i think from Japan ) used driftwood for base to breed 204's,i have with 168 and BN's and soon i hope with a peppermint that is very full.( if not will be moving all peppermints to smaller tank as they are hunting down tetras at night )

 

[C8lyn]

All done. I'm sure my bns will love it
Just gotta wait a while for the silicone to cure. The tube says to wait seven days, but is that just for a good seal? I've read a lot of people saying that 48 - 72 hours is fine?

 

[Mooo]

Awesome, I am sure they will love it..Good job...

 

[plecoman]

Nice caves! I too am going to get to work on making some.