Plastic Pipes - Caves Size ?

[Nick Sw]

Someone had suggested to me using plastic tubing/piping to create more caves in an Mbuna aquarium, I thought I would look into it and I wondered if anyone else has used anything like this and what size tubing to use. I`ve looked at some plastic piping that had a diameter of 40mm would this be big enough for the fish?

BTW I`ve seen the C.F. DIY caves.

 

[denis coghlan]

Afternoon Nick,

Are you referring to the post from bobf on your build page? I have never seen it done but I could only imagine, that no matter how ever hard to try and hide the tubing, some of it is going to be visible. I would have thought that with the large rock size you are using that ample hiding spaces and passageways have been created within the rockwork.

What is the major objective that you want to achieve from adding tubing?
Is it to reduce weight or create additional habitats

 

[Nick Sw]

Yes Hi Tanks , I am, I thought I may as well look into it it seemed like a good idea to create hiding places but like you say I might not being able to hide it altogether and that won`t look exactly natural.

After washing the Playsand today I`m not sure if I would of liked a lighter coloured sand like Silica/Pool Filter sand although I`ve read this can wash the colours of your fish out.

 

[denis coghlan]

After washing the Playsand today I`m not sure if I would of liked a lighter coloured sand like Silica/Pool Filter sand although I`ve read this can wash the colours of your fish out.

Sure you can always change the substrate in time. I dont know about the sand washing the colour out of fish but then again I have never used sand and I havent researched it. Something I must do when I have a minute to spare!!

IMPO I dont think I would like tubing in my tank. The only pipeing I will put up with is the in and out lines for my external and even they look unsightly.

But then again, If you are good at aquascaping you could do a very effective job using tubing and I'm sure some people out there have.

 

[Nick Sw]

Yes I think your right I`ll leave the tubing for now.
I`d rather get the choice of sand right than be looking at it and wishing I`d gone for something different I`m just going to look into it to make sure.
I could do with getting the tank cycling though it`s driving me mad!

 

[mamafish68]

I've seen some amazing pvc pipe covered in silicone then rolled in gravel to where it's COMPLETELY covered, even 2-4 inches inside and then worked into a rock pile, it was pretty cool and functional, the fish LOVED it.

I cant stand the white pipe look either or a bunch of clay pots and ive seen the pots covered too. all kinds of things can come from a few tubes of silicone

If you end up doing it take somep ics for us please.

 

[denis coghlan]

Are you talking about clay pots like this mammafish?


clay potty

 

[gaz guildford]

ive actually gone for plastic drain pipe like 12 quid for six meters its 3" inside its anthing but natural but hey it looks like a modern look not meant to be but everyone says its cool i expect i will go for ocean rock tufa or lava rock after ive moved house (light weight moving excellent) but until then a few hardy plants aka nylon lol and 32 6" long bits of drain pipe for some ultra modern cichlids!

heres a link to what it looks like
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=143430

 

[bobf]

Hi folks - well what have I started here then?

My suggestion about the pipes was only as a way to add additional hidy holes behind the rockwork, not on show, without the extra weight additional rockwork would add. I don't mean that the little fishes would be living in a maze of plumbing fittings in some kinda submerged radiator complex!

I made the comment cos it looked like you were/are planning to use big round rocks which by definition means there will only be a few 'defendable' voids for the fish to occupy. Out of sight towards the back it would be possible to break up those voids a bit by adding a few more hidy holes. (this would be much easier if I could do a picture, but you probably get what I mean).

From most angles you would still just be looking at rocks but we would all know that when the fish dissapear into the gaps between there's more than one place to go!

In other words, stick a few bits of plastic pipe in there (short lengths 40mm ish) and cover over with the rocks - a bit like Gaz has done but much lower and then cover it over with rocks

Geddit?













I'll get my coat - taxi!

 

[Amerce]

I use the brown plastic tubing and put some of the tank gravel on it, it helps the tube to stay on the bottom of the tank and also makes it look more natural. In the cory tank I have slate sitting on it as well so double the number of hidey holes for them and the fish.

I've even made my fishy version of a small tower block for the betta's cause they like to sit in there watching the fish world swim by

 

[Nick Sw]

Gaz - I bet the Fish love that set up and it`s providing a lot of holes/caves for them , I`ve tried to go for a more natural look so I don`t want plastic pipes on show but it`s each to his own.

BobF - Yes I thought thats what you meant just a couple of pieces maybe with an angle covered with smaller rocks at the back , I`ve not really seen it done that well yet, I might experiment when I have some time.

 

[mamafish68]

tanks, that link led me to the most god aweful algae covered nasty tank... blechhhh

but yea, pots like that! lolol covered in silicone then rolled in gravel, dug down in the substrate....my mind is wandering hahahaa

 

[bobf]

BobF - Yes I thought thats what you meant just a couple of pieces maybe with an angle covered with smaller rocks at the back , I`ve not really seen it done that well yet, I might experiment when I have some time.

Goddit

 

[gaz guildford]

Gaz - I bet the Fish love that set up and it`s providing a lot of holes/caves for them , I`ve tried to go for a more natural look so I don`t want plastic pipes on show but it`s each to his own.

yeah they love theyre hiding holes but its not natural for them so it only until i have moved house and can buy masses of ocean rock