Anyone Know Someone Who Makes Terra Cotta Caves?

[celaeno]

does anyone know someone who makes terra cotta caves?

i'm looking for two 4" saucers siliconed together, then a rectangular hole cut on the bottom saucer. i reckon it would be a nice hiding place for plecs.

also, it can be a member of another forum, not necessarily tff only.

 

[raptorrex]

might be worth looking at this:
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Hardware...ieces-ive-made/

 

[Darkstar]

i'm looking for two 4" saucers siliconed together, then a rectangular hole cut on the bottom saucer. i reckon it would be a nice hiding place for plecs.

Is it solely for hiding in or breeding also?

 

[st24rsap]

i make them, have several in my 3 tanks and the plecs love them

 

[celaeno]

nice caves you got there, st24rsap. too bad you live in the uk, because i'm in the usa.

 

[st24rsap]

nice caves you got there, st24rsap. too bad you live in the uk, because i'm in the usa.

yeah i noticed you are in the US after i replied.

 

[OohFeeshy]

That would be easy enough to make yourself. Couple of saucers, a pair of pliers, silicone...

 

[st24rsap]

you be suprised how hard they are to make, the terra cotta is extremely hard yet brittle and they are easily broken.

try and break the hole with pliers and the pot will shatter.

it then needs to be smoother off and all sharp edges removed

 

[raptorrex]

nice caves you got there, st24rsap. too bad you live in the uk, because i'm in the usa.

surly you must have the equivalent of a Garden centre's in the US. these a basic "plant pot" stands. you should see them in any gardening shop for a dollar of so. you can do something just the same with the plastic versions too. I've used these before, but it never occurred to me to stick them together for a cave. nice idea st24rsap.

 

[celaeno]

surly you must have the equivalent of a Garden centre's in the US. these a basic "plant pot" stands. you should see them in any gardening shop for a dollar of so.

we have garden centers of course and they sell terra cotta pots and saucers, but a tool that will easily make the hole i want is expensive.

 

[raptorrex]

you be suprised how hard they are to make, the terra cotta is extremely hard yet brittle and they are easily broken.

try and break the hole with pliers and the pot will shatter.

it then needs to be smoother off and all sharp edges removed

i cut terracotta in a bucket full of water, and often use a standard wood saw. the water both cools the blade and cushions the vibration from it. i cut plant pots holding the pots in one hand and the saw in the other, you don't even need anywhere to rest it, indeed if you did it would shatter. but tile blades are cheep, and easy to get, while its better to drip some water on it, they will do the job with little chance of breakage. tile smoothers, cant think of the name, like sand paper for tiles, will deal with the smoothing, with no chance of sharp edges.

 

[st24rsap]

personally i use an angle grinder to cut the basic shape of the entrance. then use a dremel to shape it and smooth off any jagged edges, then a fine grit sanding pad to smooth off all edges

 

[raptorrex]

personally i use an angle grinder to cut the basic shape of the entrance. then use a dremel to shape it and smooth off any jagged edges, then a fine grit sanding pad to smooth off all edges

phew tough terracotta that, still they are quite solid. still for a one off try:
http/www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?...;isSearch=false
for the saw and:
http/www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?...;isSearch=false
to smooth off.