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clay pots, [link=click to view]http://community.webshots.com/photo/119716850/214977014UJFGQg" style="COLOR: #00FFFF[/link] . this is how my tank looked liek not logn ago.

I used some 8" retaining wall bricks from lowes. Then I hollowed them out. The down side is that they took about a day per to hollow out, but they look cool
All in all I only hollowed out 2 of em

Go to this link as they list numerous DIY projects which includes how to construct several types of caves.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_list.php

/:'

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

I would love to add some caves or somthing similar to my tank but I am afraid of the "dead water" that will form inside the cave...how do you keep from the water becoming stagnant/keep the water flowing...

I presume by 'clay pots' you mean the fired terracotta ones? They definitely won't crack from boiling.

If they're dirty from dirt, scrub them then boil them. If they're dirty from anything that might have contaminated them with chemicals, don't use them in your tank! New ones are cheap enough, and it's not worth risking the health of your fish.

Sorry possum, I thought I'd bookmarked a page on how to prepare a coconut for your tank, but now I can't find it. :%) Can anyone else help?

ive got some small pots(3 inch high)and they're pretty dirty, can i just boil them or will they crack?

Last edited by fishowner at 24-Feb-2005 22:29

I belive that site you came across I also have seen

if so here it is

http://www.petfish.net/PVC_cave_tower_instuctions.htm

I as well thought these did look good.
I am wodering about the play sand that is used for the outside in one option.
Would that be a smart idea to put play sand ???

Angel Eel

I saw on a diy site somewhere that aquarium silicone was used to glue substrate (gravel) to the outside of a pvc pipe. sounded kinda hokey but looked kinda neat when it was all done. just today I did this with a plastic flower pot and looks real nice, I'll be puttin it in the tank inna few days

nice pots, eventually when i put my tank together i plan on getting some pots as well

the pic doesn't work for me , comes up with a blank square with a small red cross in the top left corner.

i'm going to get a coconut today , do i cut it in half & boil it ( for how long?????) or is it done a different way

thanks

i am wanting to get some caves as i'm going to get some terrtorial fish , what substances should i use. or what could leech in to the tank causing the fish to die? is a plastic plant pot ok or does it need to be something else?

thanks

and this too, i just learned they are called air bricks or isolation bricks.

Falstaf attached this image:

and this

Falstaf attached this image:

I don't know why, but while sitting and looking to my book shelf this came to mind

TERRACOTA BRICKS!!!!!

I think it's a great idea, and a cheap too. same treatment as pots, but you can build a cave system as a background. anubias and any moss will attach perfectlly toit and you'll have a wonderful planted background and lots of caves.

They come in all shapes and sizes!


Falstaf attached this image:

I also use Terracotta Pots, they are very usefull. You must leave them a day in water & then rinse them well. Very easy to use & cut.



http://www.deathbydyeing.org/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

does anyone have a photo of the coconut one , as i'm interested in seeing how it looks

thanks

possum

If you want the natural look use rocks and driftwood combined. As previously stated there are other products but in my opinion just dont have that natural enviormental appeal.

Keith

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Coconut shells are also a good natural looking option, you can find them in jardening stores as they are used as pots, just boil them before placeing them into your tank. These are also wonderful for plants like anubias or java fern to attach.

PVC pipes are also a good option, if you silicone cover them and then pass them through fine gravel you get a nice finish, and you can get any diameter they have.

I've heard some people having great success with jars, and fish loving them. i one used a hamster trail tube, an elbow in one of my tanks, and i have to tell you fish where actually taking turns to use it i placed an amazon sword in the center and soon enough the leaves of the amazon covered the plastic, they come in many colors shapes and sizes.

I use terra-cotta pots in my tank. I like to break them in half. It gives a natural look to the tank. Just remember to clean them. Just soak them in running water. Make sure that you get them from someplace that wouldn't use pesticides (like a department store). Because that can be absorbed in the terra-cotta.

If you break them in half, file down the edges so that the fishies won't get hurt.

-pamela