Coconut Cave

[alexk3303]

Heres a pretty easy one to do (sorry no pictures). Take a coconut, split it in half (mine was a store bought, I drilled a hole in it, drained the milk, then used a hammer and screw driver to split it open). Now that you have two open coconut halves use a butter knife of other impliment to scrape off all the meat (white stuff). Finally cut hols big enough for your fish, I did it the hard way and used a drill to drill out several small holes in the shape I wanted, then used a saw and screwdriver handle to knock out the piece. Using a big drill bit or recipricating saw would have probably been neater. I also used a round file to smooth the edges of the hole so my puffers wouldn't hurt themselves. Finally rinse it off and drop it in your aquarium! For $1.89 a coconut (my local Meijer) its a great price for 2 huts. (sorry I don't have any pictures, I might borrow my sister's camera later!

[LilGreenPuffer]

Sounds cool for a tropical theme! Would the coconut rot, though?

[alexk3303]

I never thought about that..... I'll see if it is still completely solid in a few days or if its softening. I hope it doesn't

[LilGreenPuffer]

Yeah. If it rotted, it would really mess with parameters. Maybe sealent would fix that.

[DRRT]

you shouldn't have too much of a problem if you remove all the hairs from the shell. I find coconuts all the time snorkeling in the caribbean, and there is all sorts of good stuff growing on the outside

[alexk3303]

oh, I left the hairs on because I liked it better that way
oh well hopefully won't be to much of a problem

[lmsmith]

Do you have a pic?

[alexk3303]

No, not yet sorry

[busybones]

this would be good for snake hides too! if you let them dry out of course...

[alexk3303]

Pictures!

[TheBlueMeanies]

cool

[alexk3303]

Thanks I'm pretty happy with 'em. And their still good and hard, but stuff sometimes gets caught in the hairs (flake food). If that bugs you, you could remove it.

[hazima]

you might have wanted to boil it as well. i made one and when i boiled it a lot of nasty brown came off

[Cuchulainn]

I haven't had any problems with the coconut shells rotting-even the hair has been fine.Just be sure to remove all the "meat"from the inside as this will spoil. I also agree with above comment, they should be boiled first like driftwood to release the tannins. boiling also makes it easier to get the goods out-using a spoon works for me. U can leave 'em whole as well making the hole just large enough to get the meat out-makes for mobile rolling caves. My Yoyo's and B G Knife luv em. My SAP's never seemed that interested in them, but there hard to please at the best of tymes