Using pots as caves

[juliethegr8t]

I've heard about people using clay pots normally used for plants, as decorations/caves in their fish tanks. I'm considering doing this in one or two of my tanks, and I want to make sure I do it right. I think some of my fish might appreciate a place to hide, and getting a little pot is sure a heeeeeeck of a lot cheaper than buying a cave from the lfs. (Wow decorations are expensive!)

How do I prepare it to be safe in my tank? I'd imagine something along the lines of soaking in tank water?

I've heard of some people drilling holes in them, is this necessary? And why do they do it - I couldn't quite figure that out?

I plan on partially (1/3 or so) burying it in the gravel so that it stays put. Is there any safety issues I need to be worried about? Or anything I'm avoiding? I get nervous adding anything to my tank that isn't from the pet store. Thanks!!

 

[Eelzor]

I'd be nervous on adding things not from the pet store too, but a pot being used as a cave is a great idea, and very cheap and easy to do. Simply rinsing the pot before putting it in the tank is fine. Ridding of all dirt too is very neccesary. But make sure the pot doesn't scatch the bottom of the tank by pushing it too low. good luck .

Edit: One more thing i forgot to add that this may happen, but I have no idea if it can happen, sometimes there is a hole at the bottom of the tank and the fish may get stuck.

 

[platypus]

Hi julie,

I don't have any useful advice, sorry , just wanted to say I also thinks this looks really nice and if you do go ahead with it I'd love to see some pics for inspiration! I'd like to set up a few more cubby holes for my clown loaches to play around in and I think this would be perfect

So good luck!

 

[Eelzor]

Edit: One more thing i forgot to add that this may happen, but I have no idea if it can happen, sometimes there is a hole at the bottom of the tank and the fish may get stuck.

opps, I mean at the bottom of the pot, not the tank. )

 

[Losi]

Adding teracotta pots is a very cheap and decorative thing to do.

It may be a little overkill but I always soak the pots in boiling or just boiled water for a few minutes (carefully!) and then leave them to cool in some tank water that I have taken out to make sure there are no nasty bacteria etc... just a thought!

 

[lizard]

I've heard about people using clay pots normally used for plants, as decorations/caves in their fish tanks. I'm considering doing this in one or two of my tanks, and I want to make sure I do it right.

I bought a few terracotta pots for my aquariums. I agree - much cheaper than cave decorations! I bought them new, so they didn't have dirt in them or anything. The ones I got were less than 50 cents each, I believe. I rinsed 'em off and put 'em in the tanks. Haven't had any problems. I've even see the fish in 'em once or twice I have them buried in the gravel a little bit, to help hold 'em in place. For fish that like darker places, you could always put the pot in amongst some plants. I think that'd be cool.

Yay, aquarium-scaping!!! It's so fun! Someday I'll get pics of my aquariums dl'ed from my camera and onto the computer so I can post them.

Pamela
aka Lizard