Coconut In Aquarium?

[NeonNeptune]

So I ate a coconut and thought I might be able to put it in my aquarium. How do I make it safe for the fish? Does it release tannins?

 

[LucyB]

I have a coconut with java moss on it in my tank - My pleco's house I got it from my LFS though so not sure how you would make it

 

[thereverendturtle]

I would think that getting all the meat out, and as much of the outer fiber off as possible, would make it ok. Although it may need to dry out for some time or maybe be baked in the oven for a while to really make it dry. Just guessing at this though as I've never tried it. Where I'm at a coconut is about the same price as one sold at the pet store, so if I wanted one I would just buy it at the pet store and save the hassles.

 

[Salam]

It's very easy, I got three coconuts in the main tank and one in the fry tank. The fish love them!

Here it is explained step by step: http/www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-decoration/87.asp

Basically, open it, get rid of the 'meat', cut your holes into it as desired, boil, boil, boil. OH has used a dremel in order to open it and cut out the shapes.

These are the three in the main tank, all with different openings:

Now, please don't laugh, I know it is silly, but my son requested to have a funny face in the fry tank.

 

[thereverendturtle]

It's very easy, I got three coconuts in the main tank and one in the fry tank. The fish love them!

Here it is explained step by step: http/www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-decoration/87.asp

Basically, open it, get rid of the 'meat', cut your holes into it as desired, boil, boil, boil. OH has used a dremel in order to open it and cut out the shapes.

These are the three in the main tank, all with different openings:

Now, please don't laugh, I know it is silly, but my son requested to have a funny face in the fry tank.

I like the face. and I've learned something new. Although I do wonder if the tannins would be good for blackwater fish....

 

[Salam]

I don't know much about blackwater fish, but if they are ok with bogwood they should be ok with coconuts.

Yeah, the face looks quite funky in the tank. Fry love swimming in and out of the holes. The others also look great, must get pictures of them in the tank. One platy pair is very often in the coconut in the middle of the first picture and she has given birth there already. It's like their own little home

 

[thereverendturtle]

Well now I'm willing to give it a try, as I could make a much larger cave, than I could purchase.

 

[Salam]

Well now I'm willing to give it a try, as I could make a much larger cave, than I could purchase.

Plus it is much cheaper! UK price for a coconut s 50pence. 30 minutes work and you got your own little cave.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Well now I'm willing to give it a try, as I could make a much larger cave, than I could purchase.

Plus it is much cheaper! UK price for a coconut s 50pence. 30 minutes work and you got your own little cave.

A coconut in California, at least where I am, is anywhere from $2-$4 US. The lfs charges $2.50 for half a shell, so if I can get one large or two small ones for $4 not a bad deal.

 

[Inchworm]

Coconut shell caves are quite popular decorations. A quick search of the Hardware/Do It Yourself section brought up these threads. They should provide some good ideas and inspiration.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?app=core&module=search&section=search&do=search&fromsearch=1

 

[NeonNeptune]

I would think that getting all the meat out, and as much of the outer fiber off as possible, would make it ok. Although it may need to dry out for some time or maybe be baked in the oven for a while to really make it dry. Just guessing at this though as I've never tried it. Where I'm at a coconut is about the same price as one sold at the pet store, so if I wanted one I would just buy it at the pet store and save the hassles.

I didn't buy this coconut for my fish, I just wanted to eat one but kept it for a few months in case I wanted it for something. I saw people putting it theirs and thought I could do that. And if you let the meat dry a little it is a lot easier to take out.

 

[OldMan47]

A coconut is safe for fish as is. A few things we have trouble with is getting it to sink nicely and decorating it so that nobody knows it is a coconut shell but the shell itself starts out safe for us to use.