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I've been reading that cichlids like hiding places - such as rock caves, flower pots, pvc pipe - I have a 45g with a beautiful geophagus proximus who loves hanging out in the bottom of the tank between two large pieces of driftwood - constantly picking up pieces of gravel with his mouth and then shooting them out at the corys passing by - thought I might give him/her something new -

do people have experience using flowerpots as caves - what kind exactly - are you breaking the flowerpot in any way - are you keeping the bottom intact - are there concerns about impacting water parameters/leaching - thanks -

Hi there flower pots are great and the fish love them. Take a look at this link [link=http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Photo%20Booth/59135.html?200505060949]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Photo%20Booth/59135.html?200505060949" style="COLOR: #C0FFFF[/link] it is photos of my tank it has 5 flower pots in it all together they are all hidden under the rocks there cleverly disgusted as caves. Put some in I highly recommend it all my fish love then especially the cichlids.

http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

Flower pots are good for hiding places & caves. All you have to do is, clean it under running water & rub it with your hands to clean any dust. Leave it in a bucket of water for a couple of hours & then place it in your tank. I also use pots in my tanks & you can see some in my photo album.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html

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

Wow!!! -- what a beautiful tank - and the fish to die for - so you just put the flower pots in - in one piece - and just a regular flower pot like you would buy from a garden/lawn store? your tank is considerable larger than mine - I'm afraid that putting an entire flower pot in is going to take up too much room - what do you suggest -

Great Idea.

I cut one in half to make 2 hiding places.
My Red Tail Shark and Black Calvus are alway bicker over them.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/leongreenway/e3f0.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/y169/leongreenway/?action=view&current=b0b7.jpg

You can buy small flower pots, there are alot of sizes to choose from. Yes, those are normal, un-painted pots, that i buy from local stores. Just give them a good rub, under running water & leave it to soak a bit & it's ready for your tank.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html

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

I just may try something like that in my tank(s). I love the rustic look of the red clay pots and the wife wants something in there like that anyways

Jason - cool photos - beautiful tanks and fish - I noticed that some of your flowerpots seem to have no bottoms allowing the fish to swim through - how did you manage that - while other pots seem intact - what was the thought process there - just a different look or something else? thanks - you all have such interesting tanks and ideas for enhancing the scenery -

Yes, i have some pots that are bottom less. I just cut around the bottom with a saw.
I use intact pots & put them on their side, to create a cave look, while the others are not intact & i just carefully break small pieces around the top, to make a V shaped look & the fish can swim in the pot, aswell. If, you don't understand me, please tell me & i'll take some photos & e-mail them to you.

p.s. you can also use coconut shells to make caves & it's quite easy aswell.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html

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

And my usual warning if you cut or break the pots make sure to file the edges since they can be quite sharp.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Theresa - thanks - the devil is in the details!!

Any impact of clay flowerpots to water quality - pH, hardness, other?? thanks

Well mine never change the water quality one little bit if that helps.

http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

My terra-cotta pots are artistic way to provide shelter to my cory school and diffuse agression in my tank by establishing a rigid territory. I highly recommend them.

I have the terra-cotta pots in my tanks.

For now I have 1 in my 20 gallon that is being an experimental fry tank, 1 in each section of my betta tank (2) for the betta boys to collapse and rest on. And for the time being I have only 1 in my 125, but also have a coconut shell half in this tank that is also well loved.

I do not advise breaking or cutting the pots as it has been said it will create sharp edges that can cause havoc and injury. I find that my BN love to go into the pot and hide together, and my metae fry love the fact that there is a little hole in the bottom...usually they are swimming in the hole, and you will see the little barbels come through with their little noses and bang they are there.

I never did put them in my 55 with my cichlids, but found plenty of other ways to create caves and hiding holes for them...These are made with various pieces of Limestone (Texas Holey Rock)

There never has been a water chemistry change due to the pots, so go ahead and use them...and enjoy!!! Heidi michelle

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Got to have a piece of me
I'd give the shirt right off my back
If I had the nerve to say
Take this job and shove it
I ain't working here no more
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heidi michelle attached this image:


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