Cichlid Caves

Searched dozens of DIY cichlid caves and this is the one that I find most attractive and easiest to assemble.
http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiygrotto/bndiygrotto.htm

I'll be modifying mine a bit in that I'll be building for a 48 corner tank so I am going to make the columns vertical rather than horizonal, stagger the length of the 3 or 4 columns, alter the entry size/orientation of the cave entries. install "shelves" between the columns and finally use gravel and/or sand to coat the surface. OK.. it's quite a deviation from the original plan.. but the "core" is still there.. ..

Do you have an idea for a bigger cave

My research had me focused on Dwarf Cichlids.. Kribs and Rams etc. What fish are you looking to "cave".. I'll poke around if I know that! Bill

cool thanks for sharing

cool thanks for sharing

I use various sizes of Terracotta pots and 'hide' them with layers of slate and columns of granite in front. They offer good support for a multi-layer slate sequence of caves. Not to mention they are fairly cheap and easily found in any size you need.[img][/img]

Looking pretty good!..I'll admit.. I'm a hard - headed SOB.. so might forge ahead with the design I posted and fall back on what you've done.. Tks for sharing that lovely pic! What is that background?

I was thinking for my convicts

Hey thanks what a great idea. To watch the fish swim into the background and come out another hole gives the tank more dimension. Beats the heck out of bundles of pvc pipe.

I love that setup, very nice design and great looking tank

Nice Aquascaping terracotta pots are the best I use them in my tanks as well and easy to hide if you want.

I was thinking of coating a piece of pvc pipe with pebbles not as grandiose as this but can easily poped into any tank

I've probably mentioned this before in another thread. If using pvc, use the white not black. In homes white is used for supply lines and black for sewage. Black can leach stuff and white is safe for drinking.

BobV wrote:

I've probably mentioned this before in another thread. If using pvc, use the white not black. In homes white is used for supply lines and black for sewage. Black can leach stuff and white is safe for drinking.

I made sure all the PVC I used had "Drinking Water" on the side of it.