Okay, some of you have asked me to do a DIY on the cave that I have posted pictures on in the Member's Aquarium Pictures area. Okay, this is a very simple process, but mind you - it is very time consuming. (Actually, it took me a day - but let me tell you - it was a WHOLE day.)
Step 1) Okay, first we do the shopping. Determine what kind of cave you want to have and how large of fish you have that will be swimming through the cave. I went to my local Do-It Center and picked up a piece of 2" Elbow PVC for around $3 American. Some people might like to use a straight piece, but I like the effect of the elbow. Then, I went to the silicone section and picked up some aquarium silicone (must be aquarium safe!!) for around $6.
Step 2) Since I already had some gravel, I didn't have to worry about that - but I will let you know what I used. I just got some natural style aquarium gravel at wal-mart. You don't need much for this project. Just be sure to rinse the gravel and the PVC off before starting. Also, take any stickers off of the PVC.
Step 3) Okay, it really doesn't matter where you start with the rocks, but I decided it would be easier to start on the edge and work my way across, then down another few centimeters, then across again. I layed a thin layer of silicone in a small area on the PVC. Not very thick - just enough to get the gravel to stick. You don't want to be able to see the silicone seeping out the cracks. Just take the gravel one by one and stick them in no pattern - just kind of squish them together so they look natural. You will definately be getting some silicone stuck on your fingers, so it would just be easier to get some gravel stuck on your finger and stick them all to the PVC. ( Note: do not sniff the silicone! It burns your nose! I have the experience, and it hurts!) You can get the top half done, but wait a couple hours after you do that to do the bottom half. While the silicone is not dry, i took some fake plant leaves and stuck them in between the rocks so they stick. You might need to use extra silicone. Once you get the outside done, you might want to do the inner edge of the PVC so it looks more natural. (Don't forget the outside edge - it takes small pieces of gravel, but it looks much better!)
Well, I think that is all I can tell you right now - but if you have any questions, just ask!
Step 1) Okay, first we do the shopping. Determine what kind of cave you want to have and how large of fish you have that will be swimming through the cave. I went to my local Do-It Center and picked up a piece of 2" Elbow PVC for around $3 American. Some people might like to use a straight piece, but I like the effect of the elbow. Then, I went to the silicone section and picked up some aquarium silicone (must be aquarium safe!!) for around $6.
Step 2) Since I already had some gravel, I didn't have to worry about that - but I will let you know what I used. I just got some natural style aquarium gravel at wal-mart. You don't need much for this project. Just be sure to rinse the gravel and the PVC off before starting. Also, take any stickers off of the PVC.
Step 3) Okay, it really doesn't matter where you start with the rocks, but I decided it would be easier to start on the edge and work my way across, then down another few centimeters, then across again. I layed a thin layer of silicone in a small area on the PVC. Not very thick - just enough to get the gravel to stick. You don't want to be able to see the silicone seeping out the cracks. Just take the gravel one by one and stick them in no pattern - just kind of squish them together so they look natural. You will definately be getting some silicone stuck on your fingers, so it would just be easier to get some gravel stuck on your finger and stick them all to the PVC. ( Note: do not sniff the silicone! It burns your nose! I have the experience, and it hurts!) You can get the top half done, but wait a couple hours after you do that to do the bottom half. While the silicone is not dry, i took some fake plant leaves and stuck them in between the rocks so they stick. You might need to use extra silicone. Once you get the outside done, you might want to do the inner edge of the PVC so it looks more natural. (Don't forget the outside edge - it takes small pieces of gravel, but it looks much better!)
Well, I think that is all I can tell you right now - but if you have any questions, just ask!
