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	Terracotta pots
xxxx Hobbyist Posts: 64 Registered: 04-Sep-2003	Howdy all, I got some terracotta pots cheap recently from my local hardware store and was wanting to put them in my tank. What sort of preperation do I need to do on them before they are ready to go in? Thanks
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	You'll want to make sure they're extra clean. Give them a good scrubbing...depending on where they were in the store they may have some chem or dust that you really don't want in the tank . After that just be sure that the hole isn't small enough for the fish to get stuck in....keep in mind that as the fish grow they may get stuck. ^_^ [link=H2g2]http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/upgrade.html" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] 2005 Don't Leave Home Without it[/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
xxxx Hobbyist Posts: 64 Registered: 04-Sep-2003	Thank you soooooo much babelfish, I wasnt sure what I should do with them. Very appricated
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	metal_blasko That is good advice from Babelfish. I would give them a very good soaking including a total water change several times. You can make the holes bigger by drilling several smaller holes (using the corect drill) around the outside of the smaller hole. Then use a small file to remove the rough and sharp edges. Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
xxxx Hobbyist Posts: 64 Registered: 04-Sep-2003	Thanks for the idea Keithgh, I used a hole saw to put the bottoms out and they are currently soaking. Does it matter if I use hot, warm or cold water? Thank you very much.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Hot water will help disolve whatever faster...not sure what temp terra cotta can handle although I have a feeling it'd be over 110F @least (they survive summers after all)...just be cautious about the change in temp, too fast a change is likely to cause them to crack. ^_^ [link=H2g2]http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/upgrade.html" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] 2005 Don't Leave Home Without it[/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Sin in Style Mega Fish Posts: 1323 Kudos: 1119 Votes: 165 Registered: 03-Dec-2003	make great cave, holes in the side of them or cut in half depending of the size of the fish. dont look to bad either. one bit of info that wasnt mentioned, clay pots will degrade in water over time, this is what i hear anyway. how true this is i dont know, mine seem fine lol.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Sin in Style, interesting observation, I can understand that they would, however I'm fairly sure it'd take quite a bit of time, any plants that are rooted on the pot will help break it up (much like ivy on stone)...I have a feeling however that the aquascape just might change before the pots degrade . ^_^ [link=H2g2]http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/upgrade.html" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] 2005 Don't Leave Home Without it[/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
xxxx Hobbyist Posts: 64 Registered: 04-Sep-2003	After 4 soakings and 3 scrubbings, there is nothing mroe coming off the pots. They were put in the tank, and the fish went silly over them. Thank you all for your words of wisdom.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26


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