My "budget" DIY cichlid / catfish spawning caves.

[BrownBullhead]

I just thought I would show off my latest "work"; it's nothing compared to what some of you on this forum create for your fish, but it will do the job for me!  I wanted to add "caves" to my cichlid / catfish setups to (a) induce spawning of Lophiobagrus Brevispinis; and (b) offer cichlid juveniles additional areas to escape the larger adults.  Some people don't like the look of terra cotta plant pots in an aquarium, but I don't mind it at all, particularly once they "age" and get that coating of lush green algae.

My cost on creating these "caves" was about $2 each, not factoring in the minute amounts of GE Silicone I 100% Rubber ($3 for a tube) and the $16 hole saw bit for ceramic tile.  That's certainly better than $6 each plus shipping for the ones that, although more "polished", do the same job as mine.   That and the immediate satisfaction of not waiting two weeks for shipping!

I found that soaking the terra cotta for a few hours *before* drilling yields a hole with smoother edges.  I've made three caves that have "cured" for 24+ hours, and have four more caves "work in progress".  The hole saw bit was 1¼" size.  I also own the 2" one from the same manufacturer.  It's all-in-one, so no need to fuss with arbors, mandrills, or whatever those silly attachments are called.  Yes, I'm just that technical!  DIY with a limp.

Please click the thumbnails to open the JPEG images in a new browser window.  Please note the DVD disc for size reference.

[georgesa]

Be careful with the GE Silicone I.  The tube I purchased from Home Depot specifically mentions that it's not suitable for aquariums and food contact surfaces.

I've read countless sites that specify that they're suitable for aquariums, but I wonder if they changed their formula.

[smalltownfan]

Never thought of that, great idea! I have the goods already, will be trying it out.

[washefuzzy]

Looks good!

[dan2x38]

RE: silcone for aquariums check this thread: http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=194.0

[georgesa]

RE: silcone for aquariums check this thread: http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=194.0

Note that the thread you refer to is dated 2004.  My tube was purchased in 2008 and now specifically says "not suitable for aquariums".

I don't know if they changed something in their formula, or they want to protect themselves from lawsuits, etc...  I did not want to take a chance it in my case.

[dan2x38]

date noted but we still use stuff mentioned in the thread believe me... post asking about silicone! You need to watch out for the stuff with added chems for mildew.

[mesner]

very nice!
i was looking into doing the exact same thing recently but its somewhat hard to find clay pots downtown in the middle of january with a bus strike going on!

just curious - why did you put the bottoms on?
is there something bad about having gravel on the bottom?