DIY Caves

[Crazygar]

As I am getting into the Apistogramma hobby (more like just infected with the bug) I read that MOST Apistos prefer "CAVES" to turn into SPAWNING sites. Looking at pictures, I usually see the "Clay Pot" partially buried to mimic such a cave.

Though it works, it sorta really sticks out when doing an Aquascape. This is where I come in. Thinking myself on which type of "Clay Pot" would blend in, I realized that if;

a) You covered the Clay Pot in silicone (outside only, inside for those more adventurous) and then roll it in the substrate. When it dries, brush off the excess and if you covered it properally, it will look like the substrate. The next trick is to partially bury it so it actually looks like it belongs in there.

b) Glue (Silicone) rocks around it to further more "mask" it. Remember, go with your theme, gluing rocks onto the pot in the middle of nowhere definately makes it stand out. You wish to "blend" into the scenery.

Material Required;

(1) Cheapo paint brush from a craft store. Afterwards, it'll be toast
(1) Tube of Aquarium safe silicone. I usually use the stuff ACTUALLY intended for Aquarium usage at Petsmart. Might as well be safe
(1) Safe area for the "Cave" to dry
(1) Pebbles or Stones (optional) for further blending into the rockscape (as if placing into a "cliff" or embankment
(x) x=? Amount of Clay Pots. I usually use the 3" and 3.5" ones from my local craft store. Dirt cheap

Gary

 

[Mike Wise]

If you want something really inexpensive & natural looking use 4"/10 cm lengths of ¾"/2 cm diameter bamboo burried in the substrate. All natural & very cozy. It deteriorates after 4-5 years, however.

 

[Crazygar]

Clay Pots, other than you bashing them with a hammer will survive much longer. Even with the bamboo, it would stick out. To make the bamboo a more "pernament" fixture cover with a "clear finish" and let it sit for a few days to cure. This make the bamboo last a long time.

I prefer the clay pot method, as you can make it as natural as the substrate in the tank.

Gary

 

[mooman]

I'm experimenting with using film canisters. I cut out a hole in one end just big enough for the female. I drilled very small holes all around for circulation, and siliconed small shale pieces on the front. I can just push them into a mound of gravel and they disappear. They're great for creating a hillside cave network in my apisto cave. I'ts too soon to tell if they'll work though.


I like this thread. Flower pots are certainly functional, but I've been trying to come up with something that is a little more subtle. When your breeding tank is also you're show tank you want it to look nice.

 

[Mike Wise]

Dr. Römer has used 35mm film canisters for many years with good success.

 

[Crazygar]

In this day and age of Digital Photography, all my film canisters have long since been thrown out. But I am sure I could get some again. I just can not imagine a fish so pretty could be so small. Wow!

And yeah, this is an interesting thread. I will work on getting some pictures of my "hidden" clay pots.

Gary

 

[Joelio]

The most natural approach to caves that I have witnessed were coconut shells cut in half, with a little opening at the base. makes a great cave, and it is easy to hide. Just attatch some javamoss and no one will notice it

-Joel

 

[Marc]

Take a look at this ones

Maybe You should risk a look at these caves. Two weeks ago i've got a pair cacatuoides (maybe wildform) from Rolo and the first action of the fish was to enter the cave.

Now she's breeding there. :biggrin:

Greetings
Marc (also a B-A-R-S-C-H)

 

[Electric Snowman]

As temporary caves, I tossed in a few peices of white PVC pipe (eyesore) They are an inch in diameter, and about 6 inches long. I proped one up on a peice of driftwood I have in my tank. I think if I painted the "caves" so they looked like driftwood I could construct somthing that resembled a mass of roots. Does anyone know if paint would be safe? I realize there are eisier ways to make caves, but if I had some time to kill, would it be possible? Thanks!

 

[Marc]

Does anyone know if paint would be safe?

Hi,

normally it is a good idea to cover the paint in the last step with clear tranparent epoxy resin. But while You work with this resin, and after you have finished the covering you have to air the rooms (Using a gas mask and working outside is recommended!). After finishing all the painting and covering, the cave must be aired very well, maybe some days to a week.

This work very well, also if You build backgrounds from styrofoam or similar materials.

Greetings
Marc

 

[aspen]

>>'You work with this resin, and after you have finished the covering you have to air the rooms (Using a gas mask and working outside is recommended!).'


working with powerful chemicals without proper ventilation can give you brain damage. heed marc's advce here.

rick

 

[Crazygar]

This is why I stick with my "LOW TECH, SAME EFFECT" approach. You can use Aquarium sealant indoors. The initial vinegar smell is just lovely ( ) for those with sinus problems.

I'll stick to covering the clay pots. More available and pretty cheap.

Gary

 

[mooman]

If anyone wants to try film canisters, your local drug store will have a garbage can full of them. I'm a science specialist at a YMCA camp during the summer and have used them to make alkaseltzer rockets, and "pinhole" cameras. (off topic, sorry) I really like how they disappear in the tank. If I ever need to remove the female with young to a nursery tank I can just put my thumb over the hole when she's fanning the eggs. When she comes out she'll be all settled in her new tank. Very low stress I would think.

 

[Crazygar]

Do you have any pictures of these Moonman? I have some pictures of my DIY Caves in my 6GAL ApistoTank ready for posting. Here is a bit of an instructional on my Clay Pot "DIY Cave" project that I use;

1. Gather materials. For any of the projects, save some of the substrate as this is going to be your "camoflauge" for your exterior of the cave. Here is an example of my "collection";

Here we have;
(a) A bag of gravel (my substrate in which the "cave" will be in) substrate
(b) Small clay pot.
(c) Cheapo (not really, my wife is gonna kill me) paintbrush
(d) Aquarium safe silicone.

2. Place your fingers inside the clay pot and start to apply your Silicone to the OUTSIDE of the pot

3. Using your CHEAPO paintbrush, start to "spread" the silicone (not too much) around the pot. I just spread silicone around 3/4 of the pot, and left 1/4 empty (bottom).

4. I opened up the bag of remaining gravel, and BURIED the clay pot inside.

5. A day later, I went to retrieve my clay pot. The entire "SILICONE" area was covered with small bits of gravel.

6. The end result after buried into the substrate;

For final touches, silicone more "substrate" into the spots, that the initial application missed. But on the overall, you'll get 90% of the pot covered in a hurry if you leave it in the bag overnight! And for more "sandy" substrates, just brush off the excess (lightly) when removing from the bag.

Gary