Aquarium Decor

[trumpteezer]

I've been searching for some different types of hiding places/caves for my new 55 gal that I'm setting up. I have found very little made for aquariums that I like. However, I did find some reptile caves that I think I could work with by adding a little java moss.

My question is has anyone used items made for reptiles in their tanks? I believe they're made of resin, which seems to be what most of the aquarium decor is made out of.

One of my other alternatives would be doing the coconuts, and this one I think I can work with. Price is right- lol.

Thanks,

Trumpy

 

[fishing4exotics]

Hi trumpteezer, watch out for decor made of wood like material such as coconut shells. They can leach out tannic acid and drop your pH too low.

If you can find reptile decor made of plastic I would try it. The hollow wood and uncured driftwood tends to grow fungus. Also, they leach out tannins.

For cave structures I use bowl or lace rock. The are rocks roughly shaped like bowls. I also use slate, flagstone, etc...

 

[anvil63]

If you do decide to do the coconuts there is a good thread in DIY about it. Someone reported that the were able to eliminate the leaching of tannins by boiling the shells for a good bit.

Carl

 

[Torrean]

You could take some tupperwear, cut it up, smooth the edges, silicone gravel all over it, and try it out. My sister siliconed a bunch of different crystals together to make a cave and it looks pretty good. you could also buy a lot of rock and just stack it in different ways to make different size caves and hidey holes. A lot of plants (real or fake) make good hiding places. I just don't like the whole fake rock mystic castle ruins look you get with your basic wallmart decor, but if it's safe for the fish then go for it.