Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => DIY => Topic started by: vaudeville on March 01, 2012, 04:34:21 PM

Title: caves
Post by: vaudeville on March 01, 2012, 04:34:21 PM
Hey Gang
I have a little bit of time on my hands after the are surgery
Anybody point me in the direction for instructions on how to build cichlid/pleco caves?
Title: Re: caves
Post by: GrizzlysDad on March 01, 2012, 05:53:15 PM
Pleco caves: lots of slate, silicone, and a wet saw for tile.

Cichlid caves: flower pots and a hole saw, preferably done wet.
Cichlid caves~optional: pottery class or at least a place that can fire your home made product in a kiln.
Title: Re: caves
Post by: vaudeville on March 01, 2012, 06:23:28 PM
on the pleco caves what should be the size for the opening and how deep
Title: Re: caves
Post by: GrizzlysDad on March 01, 2012, 09:04:03 PM
on the pleco caves what should be the size for the opening and how deep

All varies depending on the sizes of the pleco. Good general sizing for small species such as Hypancistrus is 5" long x 2" wide x 1-1/2" high; Ancistrus and Peckoltia species slightly bigger, 6" long x 3" wide x 2" high. Those should be the most common and best selling sizes in my opinion.
Larger species requiring larger caves are more difficult to breed and would be slower sellers for a beginning cave builder.
Hope this opinion/info helps....and good luck with the project. Be sure to keep us updated with the progress.
Title: Re: caves
Post by: mightieskeeper on March 04, 2012, 04:13:40 PM
Does anyone have pictures of the caves that Zcliff use to make?  They were very nicely built.
Title: Re: caves
Post by: Regalblue on March 05, 2012, 12:47:44 AM
A buddy of mine has had good luck using sprinkler line.
He cuts it at an angle&  silicones it to a piece of slate
Title: Re: caves
Post by: JeffroM on March 08, 2012, 12:34:02 PM
A buddy of mine has had good luck using sprinkler line.
He cuts it at an angle&  silicones it to a piece of slate
This comment is worthless without pictures.    :P  (my way of asking to post pictures, but done in a jack*** way)