kdawg

maybe this doesn't go in setup, but i think it may. i am making a couple of cave things for my 90G cichlid tank. It should give them some sweet hiding spots, but i am concerned. i will try to attach a picture i whipped up using my super sweet paint skills (please hold your applause until you see the picture -lol). first off the face and sides of the caves will be sealed, but the floor and back won't. they will be using the back of the tank for the back of the cave. I saw a similar system using guttering. I will be putting lava rock on the outside to match my substrate. I am concerned about water flow. If the hole is the only thing letting water in or out won't it create dead spots. I saw where one person who made a cave out of a flower pot put an aeration stone in it. i dunno if that would be necessary and/or effective enough. i thought this would be a great idea and project, but the more i get into it the more concerned i become about my lil fishies. any ideas?

Attached Images

fish tank caves.bmp (1.45 MB, 17 views)

ZeroSystem

An air stone isn't a bad idea. Well positioned power heads may also be an option for increasing water flow near the bottom of the tank. I've seen people use PVC pipe to build a support frame and then cover it with rocks in order to hide the PVC. Just thought I'd mention it.

kdawg

actually i have maxi jets made into two undergravel jets that i just placed in my tank, and i was thinkin about running a spout up into each set of caves to move some water. basically the caves will be made out of fiberglass, so if the support system you are talking about is for weight that won't be an issue. i have 6 outlets from my pumps and i will just run one under each set of caves. i will be posting pictures of my tank when i get this project wrapped up. getting a 75g this weekend so i am stoked about that project too.

ZeroSystem

Sounds like a good plan to me. Congrats on the 75g! Whatcha going to put in it?

kdawg

thinkin about trying a saltwater fish only setup for the time being, although i have a guy wanting to sell me a wet/dry system off of his 55 and some live rock after he sets up his 125. he is going to use the 55 for a refugium, but he isn't ready to set up. he want to give me a pirahna until then to put in the 75 so i may have him for a bit. not sure yet.