Do It Yourself DIY Aquarium Cave / Breeding Cave

Diy Cave

Materials and Tools Required:

[*]PVC Pipe/Elbow/T (make sure it's wide enough for your fish to fit in/swim through)
[*]Aquarium Safe Adhesive (100% Silicone--hot/low temp glue guns will work)
-> Hot/Low Temp REGULAR glue sticks are non-toxic and aquarium safe
You want an adhesive that is water resistant, non toxic, and has no mildew prevention added! If it says resists mildew...you DON'T want it!
[*]Substrate that will cover/hide the tube (Gravel, Rocks, Sand)
[*]Dremmel/Saw capable of cutting through PVC Pipe
[*]Sander/Sand Paper to roughen surface for better adhesion

Directions:

Step 1: Measure and Mark the PVC at the desired length

Step 2: Cut pipe as shown in Front View (do not cut exactly at the halfway point...you want to leave a bit "extra" so you can push it slightly into your substrate to keep it in place (many fish love to redecorate their surroundings-especially cichlids).

Step 3: This step is by choice and some suggest cutting the UPPER front and back portion of the pipe to allow for easier entrance and exit. This is shown in the Side View.
Sidenote-->the breeding logs you purchase at aquatic stores are normally rounded

Step 4: Use sandpaper/sander to "roughen" the outter surface of the PVC tube to allow for better adhesion. SMOOTH the entrance and exit of the tubes edges if need be to prevent your fish from becoming injured by jagged/sharp edging.

Step 5: Use the adhesive to affix the sand, rocks or substrate to the "roughened" PVC.

Step 6: If using silicone, allow it to cure at least 48 hours BEFORE adding it to your tank. If using glue gun allow it to cure for at least 10-12 hours.

Step 7: Soak the finished product in dechlorinated water for a day to make sure your adhesive stays affixed (you'd rather have it fall off in a bucket than in your tank if it needs corrected).

 

Defin. much cheaper than the store ones...I think fish stores are getting outta hand on what they are charging for decorations (most of which that lose their color in a few months anyways).