OVAS

Aquarist Forums => Equipment / DIY => Topic started by: Laura on March 11, 2006, 07:44:59 AM

Title: coconut caves
Post by: Laura on March 11, 2006, 07:44:59 AM
At the risk of bringing back this discussion again  :) .....
Do you peel the hairs off the outside and boil the shells if you don't want too many tanins in the water?  

Thanks.
Title: coconut caves
Post by: darkdep on March 11, 2006, 09:39:05 AM
I clean em in hot water, and leave most of the hairs on because I like the look.  Dunno if boiling would remove tannins tho...
Title: coconut caves
Post by: zapisto on March 11, 2006, 11:40:04 AM
laura it is only a look question
the hairs outside the shells is ridiculous at the tannin point of view.


i recommend boil the shells to really clean the coconut meat inside, or let it sink for a some days to be able to clean it well
for organic charge matter , nothing else.
Title: coconut caves
Post by: babblefish1960 on March 11, 2006, 01:12:33 PM
Leaving them in just boiled water for about a half hour, will reduce the immediate expressing of tannins, but they will always leach some.

The hairs on the shell are also a good anchor for mosses and grasses to cling to, if you like that sort of thing.

There, nothing but coconut seriousness here.
Title: coconut caves
Post by: BigDaddy on March 11, 2006, 01:28:06 PM
Quote from: "babblefish1960"Leaving them in just boiled water for about a half hour, will reduce the immediate expressing of tannins, but they will always leach some.

The hairs on the shell are also a good anchor for mosses and grasses to cling to, if you like that sort of thing.

There, nothing but coconut seriousness here.

You aren't suggesting coconuts migrate?


Sorry... I just had to
Title: coconut caves
Post by: Seanc on March 11, 2006, 01:31:34 PM
uh oh, here we go again
Don;t forget to be realy carful, they are fire.
Title: coconut caves
Post by: gvv on March 11, 2006, 01:49:15 PM
Personaly I'm not clearing them from outside - my BN plecos can polish them in a week or two.
Title: coconut caves
Post by: Laura on March 11, 2006, 08:09:20 PM
I like the hairs too, I just wasn't sure if they'd be an issue - glad to know that my BN will appreciate them also.
I'm doing a few boiling water baths to get the worst of the tannins out.  My son insisted we get another coconut, as the last one we got wasn't edible.  Looks like we'll have a caves for each tank at this rate.  (I'll resist the urge to trot around the house clicking them together  :) )

Thanks for the pointers!