DIY Jawfish Condo
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Fish
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about fish.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36757
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Topic: DIY Jawfish Condo
Posted By: kellerexpress
Subject: DIY Jawfish Condo
Date Posted: November 27 2009 at 4:15am
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I recently picked up a blue spotted jawfish and made him a condo, thought I would share. I got this idea from another website, and a friend and I(npatching here on the board) decided to give it a try. The main reason for making this was that I didnt think my sand bed was deep enough. We made it out of 3/4" pvc, used some rock rubble to disquise the entrance and make it look natural, and buried it in the sand. The entrance is right in front and great for viewing the little guy, and the back door is around the back of the tank, hidded, and acts as an escape hatch if needed. Now for a few pics. So far the fish seems to really dig his new condo.     ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Replies:
Posted By: jwoo
Date Posted: November 27 2009 at 8:54am
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OK that is awesome! Man I wish I had done something like that before my jawfish tore my tank apart for two weeks!
------------- None at the moment Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront |
Posted By: bfessler
Date Posted: November 27 2009 at 9:47am
Nice Diggs. You saved your blue spot a lot of work. ------------- Burt An equal opportunity reefer, I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping. [email protected] |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: November 27 2009 at 11:34am
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Very nice idea. Let us know if he stays in his new condo. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: November 27 2009 at 12:05pm
| nice jawfish and home! Where did you get such a nice looking Blue Jawfish? |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: November 27 2009 at 5:20pm
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thanks for the compliments, so far he seems to really like his home. He uses both doors but hangs out in the front 75% of the time, probably because thats where I feed him. He does like to go out the back door and dig around a little, but it works out great because its in the back where no one can see, so he can mess it up back there without trashing my display. Ill keep you all posted. ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: TriggerHappy
Date Posted: November 27 2009 at 5:25pm
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What a great idea! Great looking home and fish! ------------- 210 gallon Mixed Reef |
Posted By: skimace7
Date Posted: November 27 2009 at 9:42pm
| Love it !! I think I will do that for mine... he is making a mess |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 8:01am
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I swore off ever buying another blue spot. I just cant seem to keep them alive. After your post Tresa and I both picked up a blue spot yesterday @ Mountain Shadow ( thanks Randy :) ). We made ours a condo as well. Mine seems happy as can be...
Thanks for sharing.....What a great idea. ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 9:07am
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How did you get the bend in the pvc? I figure toss it in the oven for a bit? but how long etc?
------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: kody72
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 11:20am
| connie how much was he |
Posted By: bbauman
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 11:33am
I like this - very cool idea!  ------------- 28g Cube http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23030" rel="nofollow - Beginners Guide to Saltwater Aquariums Brandon in West Jordan |
Posted By: bfessler
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 11:38am
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Hi kellerexpress.
How would you like to do a Write Up on exactly how you made this project and post it in the DIY section. I'd like to add it to the Quick Reference thread. Look at the Quick Reference thread in the General Posts Section for info on doing the write up. ------------- Burt An equal opportunity reefer, I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping. [email protected] |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 12:47pm
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Very nice. When I am able to finally get me a new tank, I will incorporate a few of these into my other plans.
------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 2:24pm
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Im not sure If I can say but Randy will give you a better deal than anyone else in town... ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 3:45pm
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Thanks for the compliments guys. I really cant take the credit for this design, my friend (npatching) played a big part and found me the long curved piece at a plumbing store in Orem. This was an easy project, only 3 pieces of PVC needed: a 90 deg bend,a 45 deg bend, and that curved piece. The curved piece came like that, I did not have to bend It myself or anything like that. But you could make the tunnel any shape you wanted to fit in your tank and rock scape. Finally, you have to find a way to cover the entrance to make it look natural. I used rock rubble, others have used a shell or barnacle to cover it up, it's really up to you. ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 3:47pm
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I'd be interested to know if he stays in it long term.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 4:01pm
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here is a link to the website that gave us the idea. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=172053 - http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=172053
Our design looks different, we liked the idea of have a back door, thought the fish would feel more secure with somewhere to flee if he felt threatened. My jawfish really seems to like have a back entrance, and uses it all the time. I really liked the look of the barnacle too, but could not find one anywhere so I settled for rock rubble. Either design will work, Ill keep you all posted as to whether he stays in the condo long term. ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: kay181
Date Posted: November 28 2009 at 5:25pm
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thats a great easy diy project love it ------------- day light scares me im going back under |
Posted By: npatching
Date Posted: December 02 2009 at 4:32pm
Here is my take on this project. Below you can see "Pokey" the Jawfish in his new condo.    Lessons Learned #1 although this DIY is not really necessary for the survival of your new Jawfish, it made for a very fun project. #2 If you find yourself wandering through plumbing supply stores looking for potential Jawfish furnishings then there's a good chance that you are obsessed with reefing. The curved piece of pvc seen in kellerexpress's post is a "P trap." After going to Home Depot, Lowes, Sprinkler World, and some othe plumbing supply place, I finally found the elusive P Trap at "Parley's Hardware" located at 260 S 1200 W, Orem, UT 84058. they have quite an impressive assortment of PVC pipe fittings and a good 79 cent fountain drink station to boot. #3"The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft astray." What good is this piece of plumbing if the Jawfish doesn't take to it? Hence, the method of introducing your fish to this abode can be tricky. The tupperware method (where you cut a hole in the lid of a tupperware bowl, place fish in bowl close lid, place lid over PVC pipe entrance) did not work for me. Instead, I placed my Jawfish in a large zip-lock bag, cut one of the corners off, placed open corner inside entrance to Jawfish condo, and slipped the fish into his new home. This method worked! #4 If you have an open top, do not believe for a second that this fish is not capable of jumping out of the smallest of cracks in your mesh cover. I went to Home Depot, bought some bird netting (stops birds from eating your garden), and bought supplies to make a screen frame for the top of my tank (jbj 24g nano). The frame came out great. It covered the top of the tank, except for a small 1/4 inch section in the back. Pokey found the 1/4 inch section and jumped out. #5 You never want to wake up from a nap to sounds of "oh my gosh, he's on the carpet, get down here quick." I'm not sure how long he was out of the water. I was asleep. My wife and kids had gone to the store. When my wife got back she found him on the floor. He Lives! Amazingly enough Pokey is alive and well. #6 If evicted he will find his way back. Pokey was reintroduced to the tank (after his carpet surfing adventure) rather quickly. He found a new home amongst the rocks for about three days. He finally reappeared in his little condo and has not left since some times he does leave (in search of a better food spot?) but always returns to the condo. |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: December 02 2009 at 5:00pm
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Awesome advice right there, esspecially about introducing the fish to the condo. I tried the tupperware method which also didnt work for me, he escaped through a crack.
The fish was then re-caught and introduced via the zip lock bag method as mentioned above and it worked like a champ.
Your tank is looking sweet Nate! ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: December 02 2009 at 5:38pm
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Im telling you, this was the best idea since sliced bread. I put lots of small rubble around the whole and the fish did the rest. He is happy as can be. He is eating like no other and even has a little door that he closes each night on his new home..... It was the funnest thing watching him put bumble bee snails on his new home only to watch them crawl away.. He does have the bottom of my tank cleaned up nicely. All the acro frags I just let lay are now being put to good use. I have named him Bob. Yes, for Bob the builder....
I have been thru 10 jaws and none have ever lasted more than a few days....
I CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!!! ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: bbauman
Date Posted: December 02 2009 at 6:56pm
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I wanted to thank you for the added information about introducing the jawfish as well. It adds more to the behind the scenes knowledge as to what it really took to be a success. Great work! ------------- 28g Cube http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23030" rel="nofollow - Beginners Guide to Saltwater Aquariums Brandon in West Jordan |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: December 02 2009 at 9:09pm
10 jaws!! Wow thats rough, Im glad the condo worked out for you. Mine is behaving very similar, eating like a pig everyday, and he uses rubble to seal up the door at night. After the front door is sealed he periodically keeps watch on the back entrance, popping his head out every now and then, its very cool to watch. I really hope he stays in there long term. I would love to see pics of your condo. ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Connie wrote:Posted By: tcfab
Date Posted: December 06 2009 at 1:22pm
 The curved piece of pvc is called a P trap used mostly in hvac. I know cause im a hvac guy and we use them all the time lol. Stores like standard plumbing have them
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Posted By: skimace7
Date Posted: December 06 2009 at 5:13pm
| Well I built me a condo for my jaw fish and when I was tying to introduce him to his new home the bag floated away from the enterance, because I could only hold it with one hand because of my lights, and he didn't swim in. He has started digging a new home right by the back door. Is there anyway I can lure him to go in to his new house??? |
Posted By: skimace7
Date Posted: December 07 2009 at 4:26pm
Here is my condo with the jaw fish in that out in than out... I just filled in the other whole and hope he moves into his new custom home!
    |
Posted By: Sculpin
Date Posted: December 07 2009 at 4:44pm
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This makes me want to get a jawfish! Though I would probably go for a Yellowheaded Jawfish over a blue spot. I just think they're cuter. Kick A$% DIY project! Micah
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Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: December 07 2009 at 5:11pm
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Maybe take some rubble rock and fill that hole to the side of it so it's harder for him to dig out??? Then once he's settled you could pull the rubble out.
------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: December 07 2009 at 5:13pm
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I would love a bluespot. I have a yellow head (pearly) jawfish that is everyone's favorite ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: Sculpin
Date Posted: December 07 2009 at 6:01pm
You could sell me your pearly and get a blue spot at Bird World ($90 buck I believe)  . Micah
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Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: December 07 2009 at 11:47pm
------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: December 07 2009 at 11:51pm
Mine escaped the first time I tried too, I ended up catching him again and the ziplock bag worked like a champ. If you cant catch him, maybe you could try piling up some rock rubble near the entrance, or even the back door to lure him there. It may take some time, hopefully he discovers it on his own. If it finds the back door then you can start feeding him by the front door, and then hopefully he will hang out there most of the time like mine. ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: December 07 2009 at 11:54pm
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Couple updated pics, About 2 weeks so far. main entrance.
 and here he is peeking out the back door
 ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: npatching
Date Posted: December 08 2009 at 12:10am
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#6 If evicted he will find his way back. Pokey was reintroduced to the tank (after his carpet surfing adventure) rather quickly. He found a new home amongst the rocks for about three days. He finally reappeared in his little condo and has not left since some times he does leave (in search of a better food spot?) but always returns to the condo.
I would give him a couple of days to see what happens. Hopefully he finds the little condo. Definitely place like 6 or 7 pieces of rock rubble right in front of the door to the condo.
|
Posted By: skimace7
Date Posted: December 08 2009 at 12:02pm
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I filled in the other hole yesterday and today he had it dug out again... I will try the rock rubble this time... |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: December 08 2009 at 12:06pm
well, I will let you put him in my tank that will take care of the situation.   ------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: December 09 2009 at 8:47pm
He jumped ship and is now trying to dig under my new VERY expense brain on the other side of the tank. I am not happy with him. It looks like this might not be the answer after all..... ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 2:09pm
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well my blue spot had a good run, almost a month in the condo but unfort he went carpet surfing last night, woke up to bluespot jerky. Still cant figure out how he got out around my top, crafty little guy. R.I.P. Blue! ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 3:17pm
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ugh =( I kept loosing fish left and right until I picked up that 1/4thx1/4th inch clear uv resistant mesh netting from that guy on reef2reef he also sells it on ebay but for a bit more... I still have his email and I still would like to get some more for my self let me know if anyone of you would be interested in ordering some with me? he was charging .85 cents a square foot it looks like this.. http://img710.imageshack.us/i/cimg4138.jpg/">  and I guarantee you couldn't find a fish small enough to jump through the stuff ------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 3:30pm
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Nick I would like to order some next time you do, just let me know when and how much. I need about 6ftx2ft. I could send you the $ via paypal if you have an account. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 3:36pm
| i measured it, the holes are actually 3/16 x 3/16... so ya not much can fit threw.. my blue spot stopped trying to jump, he didnt mind hitting the acrylic but the netting apparently he is not too fond of..... |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 3:39pm
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If you guys do order some, let me know. I will need some for my new tank.
------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: December 20 2009 at 3:40pm
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ya that stuff looks great. I am using larger mesh but it was double layered and criss-crossed so the gaps are very small. Freaking houdini jawfish.... ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: December 21 2009 at 10:59pm
| Any ideas on another order of the clear mesh? I will need a few feet. |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: December 21 2009 at 11:41pm
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Yeah I'll just order a bunch in the in the next day or two
------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: December 22 2009 at 12:25am
| Sweet! thanks Nick. Put me down for like 10 square feet. |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: December 22 2009 at 12:50am
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Awesome, put me down for 5'x2', and let me know what I owe you. Thanks Nick! ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: katorade
Date Posted: January 04 2010 at 12:39am
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Just a question say you have some pvc down under the sand what if your Jawfish or fish using the tunnels dies under there how you know he's stuck under there? Isn't it bad having dead fish in the tank? ------------- Thanks |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 04 2010 at 1:42am
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Posted By: bfessler
Date Posted: January 04 2010 at 7:39am
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I agree. Unless I Actually see a fish die in my tank the cleanup crew completely devours it before I can remove it. At first I thought the fish were disappearing because I couldn't even find their skeleton. ------------- Burt An equal opportunity reefer, I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping. [email protected] |
Posted By: katorade
Date Posted: January 04 2010 at 7:14pm
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Thanks sounds good! For sure when I get my tank I am building one of these! ------------- Thanks |
Posted By: jtdesotel
Date Posted: February 09 2010 at 10:03am
| I cannot seem to find netting with 1/4" holes as you show in your picture, where do you get it from? You mentioned ebay, but I cannot seem to find it on there either, do you have the sellers name by chance? Thanks !! |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: February 09 2010 at 10:06am
------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: February 09 2010 at 10:10am
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welcome jtdesotel
------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: Bluespotjawfish
Date Posted: February 10 2010 at 7:41am
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You can also use 1/4" pond netting. Early spring is the best time to find it locally in stores that sale pond supplies.
------------- Home of the baby Picasso! |
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: February 18 2010 at 2:08pm
| Well I guess I need to take apart my biocube 14 again to make room for one of these. I really want a jawfish, but am worried that my sandbed is going to get destroyed |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: February 18 2010 at 2:41pm
I put one of these in my 150g when I set it up. I dont have a bluespot yet, but one day I will be getting one and I liked the idea of putting the "condo" in just in case. ------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: February 18 2010 at 9:29pm
------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 20 2010 at 7:25pm
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I just forwarded this thread to a guy on RC thinking of keeping goby / pistol shrimp pairs, but worried about what their digging would do to his sandbed...
I think your DIY Condo" concept would work well for tunneling gobies, too!
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Merk
Date Posted: April 21 2010 at 6:01pm
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That's really cool. You can also use skelaton feather duster tubes. Some are wide enough and are also curvy. ------------- Downtown Salt Lake City 801-809-2367 |
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: April 23 2010 at 2:16pm
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So I am making a Jawfish Condo, hopefully someone will have an idea about this.
I went to home depot today and bought some 3/4" fittings. I decided that I didn't want to use the PVC piping though because it is not the same size. (was worried about the jawfish getting hurt) So I figured I would just buy a few 45" fitting and see if I could glue them together.
If anyone has done anything like this before, is there something I can use to just glue them together? I taped them together to just show what I want it to look like, but wasn't sure if super glue would hold it well enough to be in the tank for a year or so.
 |
Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: April 23 2010 at 2:59pm
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How would he hurt himself with the PVC? I'm sure you could try to super glue the ends together, I'm just not sure it's a very stable option if it's under your rock structure. ------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: April 23 2010 at 3:14pm
| Nah, it wont be under the structure, which is why I went for this build. I don't want to move any of my rock out of the way and re-do everything in my tank. So this design will fit one end in the corner, and then one end by the opening of the "cave" in the center of my rockwork. I'm going to google it, but in case I cant find anything, is there any reef safe epoxy that I can use? I could probably just secure it that way. If not i'll probably just go bend a 1" pipe, but I do like how this is set up / shaped already |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: April 23 2010 at 9:44pm
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I wouldnt be too worried about the connectors not being the exact size, I didnt have any problems with mine at all, Keep in mind this is a fish that digs and lives in tunnels so they are pretty tough and can turn around in super tight spaces.
Super glue gel would work great, also you could buy some epoxy from home depot called aqua-mend. Its reef safe and is only like 5 bucks a tube. I used aquamend to attach rubble to the opening and it worked great. ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: April 24 2010 at 9:49pm
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Well, good news and bad news. Good news is, I got my jawfish condo together, just used 3/4" pvc and the elbows I had. Bad news is my fish was eaten by my clean up crew and emerald crab (or so I have figured, I pulled all the LR out of my tank looking for him, and he was nowhere to be found, no trace of him whatsoever either.
So I guess i'll be ordering a new one when I get back from my vacation... Weird though
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Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: May 02 2010 at 1:05am
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that sucks! ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |