Diy Caves

[Corrine]

Hello Everyone

Im currently looking for different ways to make DIY caves/hides for my new fish tank !

Thought maybe people could post pics of what they use to share some inspiration

My first attempt is a coconut cave that I have covered with my black substrate.. think i might need another layer when its dry.. but quite pleased so far I think im going to attempt a slate cave too..

Any ideas and/or pictures GREATLY appreciated

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

Many people use PVC pipes and cover it with gravel. It works great, but I think it looks a little bad.

You could also get a big stone and drill some holes in it, then cut out a big chunk at the center. It looks the best, and it's natural!

 

[LucyB]

They look good! I got a coconut cave with moss on for £1.50 at my LFS and my livebearer fry love it Slate caves can look great, look at this one

Slate cave link

 

[KrazyKuhli]

Coconut cover in Gravel looks great:

Also making a massive cave centre piece for my new scape....heres a sample...

Not finished layering it up yet..

 

[FishBlast]

Coconut cover in Gravel looks great:

Also making a massive cave centre piece for my new scape....heres a sample...

Not finished layering it up yet..

How did you stick the gravel to it? With what solution?

 

[KrazyKuhli]

I'm using aquarium silicone took me ages to get some cheap...LFS wanted nearly £20 a tube!!!

Im liking this drilling into a rock idea....might pop to the Garden centre tomoz

Oh with the coconut start from the bottom and build up in layers(let the silicone dry first)

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

It'll look great! My friend has a salt water tank, and we got a huge rock from the beach. (ábout 30CM in diameter, and 50cm high)
We turned it upside down, and with a hammer and some other tools, we carved out a 15 cm diameter and 20 cm high bit. This is probably the hardest part.

Then, you just take your drill with the right size of end, and drill into the stone, so it connects the cave!


Excuse my poor drawing skills I photoshop alot better!

 

[FishBlast]

I'm using aquarium silicone took me ages to get some cheap...LFS wanted nearly £20 a tube!!!

Im liking this drilling into a rock idea....might pop to the Garden centre tomoz

Oh with the coconut start from the bottom and build up in layers(let the silicone dry first)

Hmm, does it have to be a special silicone?
If any silicone, can I build a tank at home since my dad has a lot of silicone in a tube? All I'd need are some big pieces of glass to make a 1 foot tank. Carrying a 1 foot tank all the way home without a car would be nasty... X_X

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

Yes it has to be 'aquarium safe' . Any other silicone can harm fish, and kill them!

 

[FishBlast]

Yes it has to be 'aquarium safe' . Any other silicone can harm fish, and kill them!

Well, I don't know exactly if it is or not, but it didn't kill some guppy fry I had in an aquarium long ago when dad broke a piece of the tank and stuck it back with silicone.
But I wonder how much they sell that stuff for in our shops. (IF they sell it).

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

You shouldn't use non-aquarium safe silicone anyway. -.- It's toxic.

 

[FishFanatic04]

They look good! I got a coconut cave with moss on for £1.50 at my LFS and my livebearer fry love it Slate caves can look great, look at this one

Slate cave link

O M G I just went nuts. I am calling all of my local garden/landscaping businesses to find slate cheap. Those are too gorgeous! I'm making one. Great link Lucy

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

They look great, but doesn't give alot of hiding space for fishes...

 

[FishFanatic04]

You can build them with hiding spaces. Great inspiration there!

 

[Corrine]

They look good! I got a coconut cave with moss on for £1.50 at my LFS and my livebearer fry love it Slate caves can look great, look at this one

Slate cave link

They look great, hopefully try some of them next

.. i might try a few coconuts with the moss on too ! My tank is going to have loads of hiding places hehe.. hopefully ill actually see my fish (when i eventually get them)