Home Sweet Home

[Aquarian]

I have seen some DIY caves here and there online and I couldn't resist trying to make one. It was alot of fun and I encourage anyone to do it. I bought a piece of pvc pipe (3 way) from Home Depot and cut off about 1/4 off the bottom for more of a cave look. Using Aquarium Sealant (from PetSmart), I glued dried gravel (from my tank) and a few plants onto the pipe. It cured for over 48 hrs before I introduced it into the aquarium and my weather loach loves it! A few of my bala sharks have gone through it and one of my black skirt tetras hid in it when I was trying to net him.

 

[Punkfish]

That's really cool - it blends in well with the rest of the decor.

 

[babyfish]

Blends in perfectly

 

[Aquarian]

Thanks! That was the goal

 

[guppygirl]

From weather loach owner to weather loach owner~
Aren't Dojo's the best???!!! I have two who are in my 55 and are now about 6 inches long, from the front are about 1/2 " wide, and are about 1 inch tall! Love them both so much!!! There names are Click and Clack. Joe seems like a perfect name too!!!

Cool tunnel, I think I'll make one for my mom's tank, her otos and clown loach will love it. Great idea!!
Robin

 

[diVer]

That looks cool. What kind of glue did you use? Mabye I'll make a small one for my puffers.

 

[Aquarian]

GuppyGirl: I absolutely love him! Aren't they so much like dogs?! It's so cute how he seems to "sniff" the gravel, peek out of his cave and hang around on plants! He's a blast to watch and I love how he seems to predict the weather! We're actually going to see if we can get another one later today...

DiVer: I used Aquarium Sealant (silicone) from PetSmart. Make sure the silicone you get is aquarium safe.

 

[drobbins27]

That cave is amazing! Great job

 

[fishdudein]

Cool! That would be awesome for my new black ghost knife, too,he's just a small one so that would work for a while AND look good! Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[guppygirl]

Hi Aquarian,
Oh yes they are like little water dogs! Mine love to look for hidden treasure under my ornaments(which is unfortunate, it seems like every time I turn around I'm resetting an ornament or re-burying a plant stem). We went to the fish store yesterday and I saw two tiny baby ones about 3 inches long, they were SO CUTE!!!!! I almost bought them, but then I thought, do I really want that much trouble in my 55?
Oh here's a site that has a picture of newborn dojos-
Dojo babies
I spent about 3 or 4 days researching dojos and how they breed, but I didn't find much. Apparently they are one of the hardest fish to breed, and no recorded breedings were found. They're like clown loaches, they only breed under absolutely perfect conditions, and there is none that any pro aquarist can create. Only Mother Nature has it. Although on the site you will find a picture of a dojo that is an opaque color. She seemingly turned that way and then the owner found babies soon after.
Well, you inspired me to create my own cave! I'm still waiting for the silicone to seal and bond. One or two more days!!!
Robin

 

[Adrinal]

dang yours looks 1000 x better than mine... I used the same stuff too...
what size gravel is that? How did you get the rocks on the pvc? (fingers gloves, stick)?

 

[sunbot]

m8 your cave is awsome can i use old drain pipe to make 1 ?

 

[sunbot]

m8 did u use proper fish glue on it?

i like your tank too.nice

 

[gadazobe]

can i use old drain pipe to make 1 ?

did u use proper fish glue on it

What's the drainpipe made from? If you want, you can use flower pots (ceramic ones, not plastic) instead of pipes and you can get them really cheap in any garden shop (Wilkinsons do them also and I think that's the cheapest I've seen them) Use aquarium sealant not ordinary glue.