Cave Question.

[tcmfish]

Why are most caves I see made out of clay? What is the advantage?

-Tim.

[MatsP]

Yes, it's a very easy material to build caves from, which is a pretty good advantage if you are making them.

Other than that, I'm not aware of any advantage from other perspectives.

I have been using terracotta plant pots and saucers, as well as wood, bamboo and rock.

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Mats

[tcmfish]

Couldn't PVC be an option? It just needs to be a cave right?

[MatsP]

Yes, a PVC pipe with an end-cap (or some other type of cover at the end). I didn't list that in my list of caves, but I do have some PVC (or is it ABS - doesn't really make much difference) in some of my tanks too.

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Mats

[Borbi]

Hi,

I would like to add that plastic pipes are rather smooth as compared to clay, for example. That rises the risk that the male kicks the eggs out of the cave.
My other objection to plastic is simply the looks of it: clay caves tend to form some growth on them over time (mostly different types of algae) which makes them at least somewhat look natural (additionally, you can put plants like Anubias, Bolbitis or different types of moss on them). With plastic pipes, I somehow get the feeling of a waste dump in the tank.

Cheers, Sandor

[tcmfish]

At least with my experience PVC seems easier to work with and can't you just roughen it up a little? Also you could make a lip so the eggs don't just fall out couldn't you?

[[email protected]]

I know at least one breeder using PVC pipe, I think it's 3" or 4" diameter. He heats it and flattens it so it's an oval shape and mashes down one end. These are in bare breeding tanks so looks really aren't important.

Jeff