DARB

How big of caves do chichlids need do they like big openings or little ones where they just fit. The reason for asking Im makeing lots of little houses for them or should say buildings. Its in the making. I have 2inch openings the rooms on the inside are all diff. Some homes are open in the back and some are closed lots of room in the closed rooms. I just want to make sure the openings are correct.


Im having fun with this project Ill keep you all in formed on the pogress of my FISH CITY.
Day one_ made 1 building it has five openings its 14inchs - 18inchs two buildings caved in to it. Now curing in water.made
Day two-made the second building this one has six openings three buildings carved in it same dimensions
Day three last building just made it cureing in sand mold five openigs in that one. Plus they all have chimneys that a air stone fits in. Ill post pic. Ill answer any

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Shawnie

those are cooooool! and how are you making them? I adore the caves..and each fish is different..I know my JD's like alot of room in theirs but my convicts can squeeze into the smallest of spaces and be happy

Angela_96

Thats flipin awesome!! I love that! Its perfect for cichlids. Just keep w/ the size of the fish, letting them have plenty room to get in and out of freely at full grown size.

DARB

I made them with straight portland and sand.
Wash the sand befor use.2 part sand 1part portland cement is the mix
find a box about the size you want to form slightly bigger. Put your damp sand in the box and form where you want the open cavities to be. Then add your mix "don't mix it to wet. Mix it were you can mold it in your hand."spred it out over every thing that you want covered about 1-2inches. Leave a open spot were you want the cave openings.
Let it set for24hr. slowly dig out much sand as you cane than lift it out slowly it is still green and can brake easy. Then rinse of real good.
Put it in water and let it set. change the water every day. Do this for a week.
pull the mold out and rub all the extra cement and any sharp sopts. Spay it down with water and spray the tub holding the mold.
At this piont you should start testing the water the mold is curing in. Use tank water when testing. when you like the numbers let it set for a few more days and the numbers are still good your mold is cured. When you put it in your tank test the water twice a day for about 2-3 days. If the pH climes to high pull it out and let it set in a curing tank longer. But with good testing before hand you should be alright

DARB

Well after two weeks I put my first house in my tank. The PH in my tank went up to 8.2 after two days in my tank It stoped climbing. So I think Ill wait another week be for i add the other house. If it all goes well my tank will be done just in time for the holidays!!!! When done Ill post pics. PS the fish love the house/cave