Coconut shell in the tank?

[Lynz781]

CAn you put a coconut shell in the tank? Anyone that has one, advice on whether you can or cant put one in and how to cut it etc would be good ta.

 

[damia713]

I have half a coconut shell in a 10g for a few months with no ill effects

the fish love it and never come out

 

[Undawada]

Interesting. I have no idea if there'd be any ill effects. I've never thought of using a coconut shell!

I suppose the only problem I can think of is if the coconut shell was treated in any way. Or if it had reminants of coconut oil on it. Is this a coconut shell from a coconut you bought at the grocery store? Or is this one of those coconut shell huts you get for hamsters and gerbils?

 

[Angry_Platy]

I had a coconut shell in my 30gal tank for ages without ill effects (I removd it to fit more plants in)....

To make it I got the BF to saw the coconut in half for me (since I wanted 2 semi-circles).......then put the coconut in the microwave for approx 30 seconds (this cooks the flesh so it is easy to remove).....once the flesh is removed I used sandpaper to remove the rough stringy stuff from the outside. Once this was done I boiled the halves with frequent changes of water until the water was clear (to remove tannins).....I then got the BF to cut a hole in it so the fish could swim in and out (he also got creative and etched weird pictures into it using his weird etching tool).....

All my fish loved it. Was a great place fro fry and catfish to hide in!!

 

[Lynz781]

I have drained a coconut from a supermarket and going to wait for my dad to saw it. I think it would look nice and natural-looking to have a cocnut cave. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Mike Rathnow]

I use coconut shells in all my apisto tanks for breeding. After I clean out the coconut. The only thing I do to them is to place them in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes to remove any insectisides or anything else that might be on the shell. I do this just to be on the safe side. And never had any types of ill effects using them.

Mike

 

[Jo and Gra]

what about the tannin?

 

[Fish Buddy]

I have coconut in 2 of my tanks. To crack the shell, I used the nail remover part on a hammer and whacked it around the middle to crack and break the nut in two pieces. I then ate all the meat. When I just had the shells left I poured hot water over them in a bucket, added vinegar and let soak for a few hours. I then rinced them in hot water to remove the vinegar and added to my tank. I never had a problem with tannins and I left the stringy stuff on the out side because I thought it looked more natural. The fish love it!

 

[william11373]

how much is a coconut . i never ate a coconut in my life

 

[Dorkhedeos]

its easy to open a coconut, just get a hacksaw blade, stick it in the whole, and keep the blade straight while you are sawing. only use the hacksaw blade if you dont want the meat inside, if you want it, use the back of a sturdy butcher knife, dont use the front, or it will chip and fly somewhere

 

[Jo and Gra]

how much is a coconut . i never ate a coconut in my life

mine was 50p from morrisons........

 

[william11373]

what do u mean 50 p from morrison

 

[Teelie]

(this cooks the flesh so it is easy to remove).....once the flesh is removed I used sandpaper to remove the rough stringy stuff from the outside.

Those would be my two concerns. The flesh and the stringly skin on the outside would either rot and foul the tank or clog the filter. Removing those parts would make it safe for the tank. I've considered coconut shell before but I've never actually tried it.

 

[Jo and Gra]

that is how much it cost and the place it was bought from............it called a response to a question.....

 

[william11373]

u mean 50 cents ?