Ktttk Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 I have been using upside-down clay pots and holes-in-bricks to breed BNs and GBAs this past year and have found them difficult to work with, especially when I want to transfer the eggs or babies to a separate breeding trap. After searching online for some ideas on DIY caves, I had a go at making my own. I used some left over bathroom tiles for the main cave construction and aquarium-safe silicon to glue the pieces together. The tiles were cut using a dremel with a diamond cutter. Here is a pic of the finished cave which consists of 2 separate pieces: the lid and the rest of the cave. It was important for the cave to have a removable lid as I wanted easy access to the eggs/babies.The cave has a narrow entrance so that it is easier for the male to trap the female inside the cave. The narrow entrance also ensures that the eggs laid inside the cave are not accidentally kicked out by the male when he is fanning them.The back of the cave is made out of a piece of see-through perspex. This allows me to monitor the development of the eggs in the cave. It also provides an opportunity to observe the spawning process. Front view: View from behind the cave with the see-through perspex back: I have found these caves to be quite successful and have been rewarded with a number of spawns already. The males have taken a liking to using these caves. One of the males guarding a small clutch of eggs: Another male with a very large clutch (from several females): Notice how some of the eggs are knocked loose from the main bunch but still remain within the main cavity of the cave. I removed the babies from this guy about 4 days after the eggs hatched. It was a simple process of removing the lid, chasing the male out and then pouring the babies into a breeding trap. Pic of the babies in the breeding trap: Hoped you guys enjoyed the pics. Any suggestions on improvements to the cave design would be appreciated :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Im well impressed thats such a good idea well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tui Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Brilliant, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 That is so cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktttk Posted October 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 thanks guys. It was a lot of fun learning to use the dremel to cut up the tiles to make the cave. I've got three of these caves in use at the moment and they are all 'occupied'. Maybe next time, I should pick out some brown tiles so it looks more natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 yea it looks good how long did it take to make Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktttk Posted October 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 The first one took an afternoon - it was a bit of trial and error to see how everything would fit, but after that, it takes 1-2 hours to cut the tiles and glue them together, and then they are left for a few days for the silicon to dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 That is alot of eggs! caves look good mate, well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smcoleman Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 yea love the caves wish i had some like that havnt got the time to make any at the mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sub.z Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Thats awesome! Very innovative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquab Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 That's awesome!!! You could patent it and sell them i think there would be a few people interested in buying instead of making their own!! Just a thought!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smcoleman Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 yea id buy a few for my breeders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sub.z Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Id buy some of the fry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 i would also buy a few Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktttk Posted October 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 I'm glad you guys like the caves. I'll make another batch sometime soon when I find the time. I might try and get some clay tiles (as oppose to the bathroom tiles) for a more natural look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 That looks so cool, nice job Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Well Done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktttk Posted October 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 Here's a nice shot of one of the males guarding the entrance of the cave... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 so when are you going to make more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktttk Posted October 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 so when are you going to make more Sometime in the near future I hope.. Will be rather busy writing my thesis :-? and playing with my new DSLR camera.. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannahbell Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 WOW, what amazing photos. And what a brilliant idea for a breeding cave. Your BN is certanily a handsome boy. (my friends call me weird becasue I think they are the most amazing looking fish). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBlade86 Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 Don't think you should take more photos of him. He sure looks angry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktttk Posted October 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 Don't think you should take more photos of him. He sure looks angry. lol.. true. He's quite happy now as a number of ladies have been visiting his cave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETEYPLECO Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 I WANT WUNNA THOSE FISHIES ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-town... Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 THATS A LOT OF GBA ahahahah nice. great idea I have ceramic caves also but no where near as practical lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.