New DIY Project

[ittybittyfishy]

You know, it might even look BETTER that way than it would have if you had cemented the entire thing. A lot easier, too. Not to mention if you get any algae it'll be so easy to take apart the rocks and clean in the knooks and cranies. All in all, it looks fantastic!

Plus $10 isn't a whole lot... Don't feel like you gave up - feel like you got a better idea. lol

[PolishPuff]

On other project the one with styrofoam I would need to use cement, epoxy risen and silicone which I wasn't sure if in the long run would be safe for my fish.

On those stones I didnt have to use any of those things. Now I feel like my fish will be safe

[J-P]

and cleaning will be a little easier cause yu can move the rocks

[DarkStorm]

that turned out really good . nice job

[PolishPuff]

Thanks guys, I'm happy, this will be a home to DP's. Its a 29 gal T so how many DP's I could I get, I'm thinking like 7-8

[ittybittyfishy]

With the rock taking up some good space... I would lean more toward 5-6 personally. Also considering it's not very planted, just sort of a rock wall, they've got to deal with each other's personal space. I don't think I'd even put 7-8 in a regular 29 gallon, but that's me. Then again, they're the "nicer" puffers, right?

I've never kept dwarf puffers before so you can just ignore me if I'm speaking rubbish lol

[PolishPuff]

Also considering it's not very planted, just sort of a rock wall, they've got to deal with each other's personal space.

you are correct its not planted much, if you guys have any idea what kind of fake plants I could add that would be great. Ones again ANY IDEA

[L!$A]

This is just my personal preference if you are to go with fake plants, go for ones with much longer/straight leaves(sorry don't know any specific names), it's much easier to clean when they get dirty!

[robert_hollis]

Shoot, I'd just get some real moss, and plants, and wedge them in between the rocks. Stuff like anacharis or java fern might do well wedged in a few spots. Here are a few links that have pics that might give you an idea or two...

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/plants_101.php

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/foru ... urnal.html

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/view ... 07437a1721

-Rob

[pufferpuggirl]

Wow Raffie, you've done a great job, and I think using the natural stone is a little nicer than making "fake" rocks. I think, if you had gone ahead with the cement, etc., you would have gotten tired of messing with the concrete. I know I would.
I have to agree with robert_hollis -- real plants are so much nicer and dwarf puffers love mosses, so I think that's a great idea, and you don't need any special lights or CO2 for mosses, or Java ferns for that matter. Plants are a must if you want your DP's to get along and have a happy life together.

[Lil' Swimz$]

It looks very nice. I really like the cave. Nice work.

[PolishPuff]

Thank you,

After some research I decided to with Java Moss and lots of it. Low to medium light and DP's may use Java Moss for spawning. There is Java Moss Vesicularia dubyana and Java Moss Taxiphyllum barbieri is there a difference

[J-P]

not much difference ... just take a close look at the leaves

[J-P]

Poli ... what happened to this project?

It has been a while. I hope it is going well.

[PolishPuff]

I wanted to build rocky like wall, with a lot of caves, but the problem was cementing the whole thing. Then after spending some time on cichlid forum and talking with some guys I decided to quit since I would need to cover all of that cement with EPOXY risen that could be harmful to fish in the long run. I decided to use real stone that I picked up from a local landscaping yard.

OK I quit, It would take me forever to do this project and the weather is not helping. Epoxy risen could be harmful to fish in the long run.
SO, I drove by local landscaping place and got $10 worth of some natural stone. What do you think?