Cheap Pleco Caves

I found this tip while searching for DIY pleco caves since terracotta pleco caves were $10 or more and I needed more than a few.

These are terracotta self watering spikes and they come in 2 sizes. 5.5" long and 7.5" long. The smaller one has a slightly smaller opening. They come in a set of 4 and are $10 shipped so I got a set of each. The smaller one had a weird edge inside the opening so I used a dremel to smooth it out so it doesn't hurt my plecos.

 

Creative!

 

Creative!

I can't take credit for it. I found it online (youtube?) and looked on Amazon. These were the cheapest ones but they work perfectly. The larger is more suitable for tanks 18" or wider. I got the smaller ones for my 20 gallon long which is 12" wide.

It took my L128's and BN in my 75 gallon a few weeks to start using them. I only have 1 in my 40 gallon and my L007 uses it only once in a while. I might put a few more in to see it helps. I also need to rescape to fit the smaller ones in my 20g.

 

I can't take credit for it. I found it online (youtube?) and looked on Amazon. These were the cheapest ones but they work perfectly. The larger is more suitable for tanks 18" or wider. I got the smaller ones for my 20 gallon long which is 12" wide.

It took my L128's and BN in my 75 gallon a few weeks to start using them. I only have 1 in my 40 gallon and my L007 uses it only once in a while. I might put a few more in to see it helps. I also need to rescape to fit the smaller ones in my 20g.

I am currently using a reptile cave hide, my plecos and cories like that.
Btw, what is that long thin plant in the front?

 

I am currently using a reptile cave hide, my plecos and cories like that.
Btw, what is that long thin plant in the front?

I was looking at reptile caves and DIY stuff but these are cheap and easy .

It's a crinum calamistratum. PetCo sold them this summer as African Onion Plant for $6 but I haven't seen them carry it in a while. It's usually $10-20 online plus shipping so I got 2 (1 in my 40b).

 

I have cichlids caves, both bought and brought in with tank buys - ceramic caves seem to be a favored thing for my plecos. They have small to large openings.

 

Just ordered 2 more sets since they seem to be on sale for $7 shipped for a pack of 4.

 

I got the 2 set of watering spikes today. They're shaped like the smaller spikes but the size is in between the 2 original sets I bought.

The dark ones (just washed so they're wet) are the new spikes and the lighter, dry ones are the smaller first ones.

 

Nice find !
Just ordered some for my troop of super reds !
Thanks man!

 

What I did was get a really fat pvc pipe cut it and then cut it down the middle to make a dome shape.

 

Thanks for the info. I paid $12 for this bad boy, and my guy barely even uses it. Then again, it’s used for breeding purposes. In this hobby, ordinary every day items go for premium prices.

 

Nice find !
Just ordered some for my troop of super reds !
Thanks man!

Well these seem to work just fine as I have just found my very first [ever] set of super red BNP eggs in one of the four in the tank !
I see males near the entrance all the time but so far that was all. I never even seen the female go near and boom ! Eggs ..
Thanks again man !
I got four tubes for the price of one at the LFS..And they work ! SCORE !

 

 

 

I just got a set. Did you just rinse them or boil?

 

Ok, just added the set in the last link you posted to my cart, lol. Now to decide if I want to get the select aquatics caves too to give them choices.

 

Just added these to my wish list on amazon. Will be buying them once I get to breeding my plecos

 

Thanks for the idea!

 

I just got a set. Did you just rinse them or boil?

I just rinsed them. They're porous so they'll pearl when you first put them in water.

Ok, just added the set in the last link you posted to my cart, lol. Now to decide if I want to get the select aquatics caves too to give them choices.

The first link has 2 sizes and both are more than 1.5" opening. The smaller one is 5.5" and the larger is 7.5" (roughly). The 2nd link is like the smaller one in the first link (hex) and about 6.5". The price went up to $10 which is still a great deal.

On both hex types, there's an edge in the inner opening so I used a dremel with a sand drum to smooth it out. The large ones in the first link is round so no lip.

 

I just rinsed them. They're porous so they'll pearl when you first put them in water.



The first link has 2 sizes and both are more than 1.5" opening. The smaller one is 5.5" and the larger is 7.5" (roughly). The 2nd link is like the smaller one in the first link (hex) and about 6.5". The price went up to $10 which is still a great deal.

On both hex types, there's an edge in the inner opening so I used a dremel with a sand drum to smooth it out. The large ones in the first link is round so no lip.

Ok, thanks. As I asked on my thread, I am down to deciding between the two sizes on the ones in the first link. If both are good in diameter and length, I think I will get the shorter ones. That would make it easier to work into the scape.
Just to clarify, those don’t need sanding down right?

 

I got the big ones in first link and just rinsed. I did not notice any edges but wasn't really thinking that way.

 

The 2 versions with hex shaped openings seem to have a lip just inside the opening so I used a dremel on them. The biggest one with the round opening isn't bad so I left them alone.

 

Just noticed you have some amazon swords along with your pleco.


I have a couple of 6'' pleco with my amazon sword with my which they wrecked greedily .

How long is your pleco is this fish tank?

 

I have swords in 3 tanks with plecos and the ones in the 75 gallon get trashed because of the L128's.(3" and 5"). My BNs don't hurt the swords.

 

Even little ones endorse these caves

 

Ok, I just ordered mine. Thanks for the tip!

 

These are perfect!! Thanks for the tip!

I wanted to go with one of the smaller sizes but they both have the lip issue? How bad is it? Can I get away with not sanding it down? Cuz I don't have the tool.

If it's that bad I'll just get the biggest ones. But they are a little longer than I'd prefer.

 

bizaliz3
About time you showed up, I know you have been busy. LOL
Well, it appears we have a consensus here of endorsements for these plant watering devices alternative use as pleco breeding caves. Now I just need a female Super Red.
Hint Hint Hint Anyone, especially her username starts with a b and ends with a 3. LOL
Anyway! The best user reviews come from the members here. Thanks
DarkOne coralbandit

 

Wait, did Biz get super reds and I missed it??!!

 

I'm going to have to get some for my big boy! He doesn't have a lady but I think he will like a man cave all to himself.

 

These are perfect!! Thanks for the tip!

I wanted to go with one of the smaller sizes but they both have the lip issue? How bad is it? Can I get away with not sanding it down? Cuz I don't have the tool.

If it's that bad I'll just get the biggest ones. But they are a little longer than I'd prefer.

I don't think it's that bad but some were worse than others. You can use sand paper or a nail file to sand it down a bit. It's terracotta so it won't take a lot of effort to sand it down.

 

Wait, did Biz get super reds and I missed it??!!

Ha. No super reds for me. I'm not sure what jmaldo was thinking there. Lol

I don't think it's that bad but some were worse than others. You can use sand paper or a nail file to sand it down a bit. It's terracotta so it won't take a lot of effort to sand it down.

Awesome thanks! I never knew these things existed! What a deal!!

 

FYI - my marble plecos gave me a batch of babies using the water spike cave.

 

Hey, all
Give this place a go. Pleco Caves
Went to the Ohio Cichlid Extravaganza today "Resaonable" pricing. In fact I picked up 2 from these "Good" Folks, Family owned and Operated in Richmond, Indiana, even had their little ones with them.. I have never seen so many shapes, sizes and colors.
Top center above the book. $5 each. And they can make to order.