mcmillanm Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right section LOL but I've just bought a couple of clay pots that I want to cut in half and use as hidey holes for my loaches and cory cats. Does anyone know the easiest way to do this without smashing them or using power tools? I've heard that soaking them in water first can make it less messy? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird73 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 you mean terracotta pots? I gave mine to my husband, he took them away and brought them back in perfect halves If you don't have anyone to delegate to, *I guess* you can do it yourself just using a hacksaw. Wetting them just reduces the dust, they are actually quite easy to cut. Hardest part is holding them still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 we hacksawed mine into many pieces - there might be a knack to it that we aren't aware of :digH: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jas Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Soak it in water, then use an angle grinder with a masonry disc on it. You will need ear muffs! You can get a cheap and nasty grinder from M10 or Bunnings or the like if you don't have access to one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbird73 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Soak it in water, then use an angle grinder with a masonry disc on it. You will need ear muffs! You can get a cheap and nasty grinder from M10 or Bunnings or the like if you don't have access to one. Depends how big your pot is I guess! Mine were only 9cm diameter pots. Hacksaw worked a treat. I also cut some little "doorways" in mine, and turned them upside down. Two cuts parallel and then snap off the little bit, if that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Soak it in water, then use an angle grinder with a masonry disc on it. You will need ear muffs! You can get a cheap and nasty grinder from M10 or Bunnings or the like if you don't have access to one. this is how i did mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I have done it successfully with a hacksaw, a grinder and also with a dremmel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#!CrunchBang Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 I did it with a Dremel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 I dropped mine :thup: ... This only produces one useable half :facepalm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 I dropped mine :thup: ... This only produces one useable half :facepalm: How many did you drop to get that one usable half? :digH: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 I just tapped mine with a small hammer lightly each side until it cracked and the i forced the two halves apart. not perfectly straight cracks but both pieces were usable. cutting would be much more reliable though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 How many did you drop to get that one usable half? :digH:One.. The only one i had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmillanm Posted August 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 Thanks for ideas everyone. With minimal grumbling my lovely hubby used a saw to make perfect halves from soaked pots this afternoon. They look great in my tanks and I can see my fish happily exploring them as I type! All good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burrowssj Posted August 19, 2011 Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 I used to just drop mine an use the random pieces an cover with sand an plants made for cool effect but I have dwarf cichlids. I also noticed my ph went higher so I took them out 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.