DIY Dwarf Cichlid Cave

[Joe Gatchell]

Decided to try to make a cave. Total project cost about a dollar. I bought 6 terra cotta pot trays. I put two together and cut a half circle in each for the door. I used twine to hold them together for the prototype, I will likely use silicone on the next one if the fish like them. The entrance is fairly small, easily accessible by my female taeniatus, and I think the male could probably squeeze in if he wanted. You can cut the doors to whatever size you need though. I used a utility knife and scraped and scraped until I got my entrance right, took about 10 minutes. So, here it is:

 

[gerald]

A coarse steel file works too, round or half-round. Never tried a utility knife on clay pots; how long did it take?

 

[Joe Gatchell]

10 minutes or so. Got a coarse round steel file today and made the next one in about 3 minutes.

 

[slimbolen99]

Neat idea. I've always had trouble trying to "cut" the terra cotta where it doesn't break. A dremel tool sometimes comes in handy, but will have to try the file method.

Instead of tying the two pieces together, could you silicone them together? I guess that would add to your cost though.

Thanks for sharing! Will definitely give this a try.
Bb

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

A coarse steel file works too, round or half-round.

I use these, very quick and effective. You can also use them on 1/2 coconuts.

cheers Darrel

 

[Joe Gatchell]

Neat idea. I've always had trouble trying to "cut" the terra cotta where it doesn't break. A dremel tool sometimes comes in handy, but will have to try the file method.

Instead of tying the two pieces together, could you silicone them together? I guess that would add to your cost though.

Thanks for sharing! Will definitely give this a try.
Bb

Yeah I am going to use silicone on the next ones. Just wanted to get them into the tank and see if the fish liked them. The female taeniatus in both tanks have moved from the flower pot caves to these new ones.