Coconut Caves

[ICEEGRL]

I have 3 coconuts. I need to know what the process is in making the caves for fish tanks. Could someone tell me the process beginning with how to crack the darn coconut. Please don't assume that I will know certain parts. I don't. I need details, and it needs to be easy steps so I don't get lost. I was told it was very easy. It looked like it would be until I tried to crack one. It was too hard.
Thanks for helping. My fish will love you!

 

[cleekdaFish]

cut it in half , and use 1 half and lay it on the bottom

 

[ICEEGRL]

Do you leave the insides in?
No special cleaning or prep required?
Just cut and place?
Really?

 

[connorsbala]

Coconuts are real hard to cut! You need a clamp or someone who can hold it whilst you saw it. First drill a hole in at the top and let alll the juice come out,then saw it in half,scoop out the insides then boil it in hot water!
Done

 

[Davey Jones]

Do you leave the insides in?
No special cleaning or prep required?
Just cut and place?
Really?

You will need to take the flesh of the coconut out, otherwise it will foul your water.
Cut the shell in half with a hacksaw then scrape the flesh out. Then put the shells into a large pot and boil in water for 20 mins or so or soak it over night in hot water this will help release the tannins, otherwise you may end up with brown water. You may need to soak it or boil it more than once to get all the tannins out. But don't worry to much if you don't it will not hurt your fish.... Depending on your fish you may want to cut a hole for a door, some fish will dig under to get in and out...Good luck

 

[~T~]

Do you leave the insides in?
No special cleaning or prep required?
Just cut and place?
Really?

You will need to take the flesh of the coconut out, otherwise it will foul your water.
Cut the shell in half with a hacksaw then scrape the flesh out. Then put the shells into a large pot and boil in water for 20 mins or so or soak it over night in hot water this will help release the tannins, otherwise you may end up with brown water. You may need to soak it or boil it more than once to get all the tannins out. But don't worry to much if you don't it will not hurt your fish.... Depending on your fish you may want to cut a hole for a door, some fish will dig under to get in and out...Good luck

Perfect explanation there, I wonder would having some carbon in the bucket for a few days help remove the tannins?I made one last night as a home for the land hermit crab im getting.

 

[Davey Jones]

Perfect explanation there, I wonder would having some carbon in the bucket for a few days help remove the tannins?I made one last night as a home for the land hermit crab im getting.
[/quote]


I'm not so sure carbon will do anything, but you never know. If you do try let us know if it works or not

 

[Rooster]

carbon will do nothing... just boil a couple of times for as long as the water is in the pan (1 hour simmer or so) until the majority of brown comes out of the shells, so long as you are seeing thinner than tea you are fine ! lol
I then use a pair or pliers to form an opening, and sanded off the hairy parts ( oo err missis etc) also sand off any rough edges - which can be quite sharp.

 

[gangeox]

Just a thought, if youre going to put it in open end down maybe drill a small hole in the end to let trapped air out?

 

[Rooster]

Just a thought, if youre going to put it in open end down maybe drill a small hole in the end to let trapped air out?

...Or turn it over as you put it in !

 

[Davey Jones]

Just a thought, if youre going to put it in open end down maybe drill a small hole in the end to let trapped air out?

...Or turn it over as you put it in !

Dito

 

[ICEEGRL]

Thanks. I am going to try to get them done today. I am planning to put some java fern on top of a couple of them. Is there a better way to atatch it than wrapping with string? That is verry messy on bottom with open bottom stuff. I am afraid the fish might get caught in it or something.
Later I plan to get some moss to put on the others.
I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks!

 

[Davey Jones]

Thanks. I am going to try to get them done today. I am planning to put some java fern on top of a couple of them. Is there a better way to atatch it than wrapping with string? That is verry messy on bottom with open bottom stuff. I am afraid the fish might get caught in it or something.
Later I plan to get some moss to put on the others.
I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks!

I've heard a hairnet works well,,,never tried it though

 

[juwelfan]

Thanks. I am going to try to get them done today. I am planning to put some java fern on top of a couple of them. Is there a better way to atatch it than wrapping with string? That is verry messy on bottom with open bottom stuff. I am afraid the fish might get caught in it or something.
Later I plan to get some moss to put on the others.
I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks!

I've heard a hairnet works well,,,never tried it though

I would try and avoid man made fibres, cos they will take an age to break down if any gets stuck round the fish. I used a piece of old pantyhose / tights to attach some java fern to a rock, i found one of my Otto stuck to it, it took me 15 mins to free him as it was caught all round his mouth and i didnt want to pull too hard. He's ok now, but it made me replace all the bindings with black cotton thread.

 

[fishboy619]

http/www.aquariumlife.net/projects/new/87.asp