diy caves

[Meredith]

I have been thinking of adding some caves to the tank, but I really want to try and make them myself. I keep seeing these bags of polished rocks at the craft store and in the craft section of walmart, and I was wondering if those would be safe to use. here is an example http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1756902
thanks!

[Meredith]

[acronym:6011ea492b="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:6011ea492b] I guess I should have read the description on the rocks!! HAAA It says aquarium use right on it. OH well

[aquazen]

Those rocks are a bit difficult to 'sculpt' since they are round as such. Your best bet to making your own cave would be to use pieces of slate. You may be able to find some at your [acronym:a8a9b8f448="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:a8a9b8f448].

[TomK2]

Check out this thread from the [acronym:00adc25458="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:00adc25458] forum. Using [acronym:00adc25458="Plastic pipe"]PVC[/acronym:00adc25458] and gravel from your own tank, you can have a cave that looks fantastic! I think this is the way to go.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=20028

[chrism]

I Agree. I'm not a big fan of shop bought decorations, homemade is the way to go! and slate make good caves, esp as you can decorate the top too and create interesting shapes etc


plus its a natural product

[ChileRelleno]

I made my own cave, just like in the [acronym:9e421fd412="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:9e421fd412] forum...
It turned out GREAT!
And it blends very very well with the tank substrate.
Our betta's love it.
It does however require enough silicon to cover atleast half of the [acronym:9e421fd412="Plastic pipe"]PVC[/acronym:9e421fd412] pipe and depending on size that can be alot.

[ChileRelleno]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewto...163&highlight=

[aquazen]

Just made a cave from plastic canvas, some string, and java moss. Will take pics when it grows out.

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

You can usually go to a stone yard (flagstone, concrete, etc.) and ask them if you can grab some small pieces of slate (I think it's typically called flagstone) they usually won't charge for it since it's just scrap pieces. Then wash them all down, and bake in an oven for 15 mins at 350F, let cool and rinse again. If you want to be sure it won't alter your [acronym:4d4d09805e="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:4d4d09805e], soak in HOT water over night, take a reading of your tap water before you put the slate in, and again the next morning. if it doesn't change then it is perfect.

I have about 20 - 30 lbs of slate upstairs, I was trying to get some to stick together, but I couldn't find a good way of joining them, can safely rule out glue guns. perhaps silicone..

Stone yards are a great source for free/low cost rocks, just make sure you clean them all first.