Collapsible soft Caves

[FINWIN]

I'm looking at an idea to solve the problem of limited access opening size of acrylic aquariums. Getting custom cut holes makes the tank price skyrocket. To avoid this I had the idea of collapsible caves for larger fish. I plan to 'roll' thick pond filter foam, glue the edges together and glue to slate to anchor. Will regular silicone adhere foam to stone? I may also paint the silicone on the outside and sprinkle with gravel or sand . Best of all the material won't displace water as much as a solid build.

Material I plan to use:

 

[..puSkar..]

I'm looking at an idea to solve the problem of limited access opening size of acrylic aquariums. Getting custom cut holes makes the tank price skyrocket. To avoid this I had the idea of collapsible caves for larger fish. I plan to 'roll' thick pond filter foam, glue the edges together and glue to slate to anchor. Will regular silicone adhere foam to stone? I may also paint the silicone on the outside and sprinkle with gravel or sand . Best of all the material won't displace water as much as a solid build.

Material I plan to use:

View attachment 1468336

I think silicone could hold it in place atleast . I doubt the strength to bear stress but it should atleast hold the 2 together.

 

[FINWIN]

I think silicone could hold it in place atleast . I doubt the strength to bear stress but it should atleast hold the 2 together.

Would a two part epoxy or aquarium glue stick work better? I could always add smooth stones to the inside at the bottom to hold it all in place once cured.

 

[..puSkar..]

Would a two part epoxy or aquarium glue stick work better? I could always add smooth stones to the inside at the bottom to hold it all in place once cured.

That could also work but I'm not sure. Maybe Rocksor Deadeye could help

 

[FINWIN]

I've been sketching out an alternate idea with no glue. I could roll the pad, use zip ties at the corners, then place slate coasters overlaid by river rock in the center to hold it down.

 

[jjohnwm]

Silicone works like a charm to glue together foam. I use it to glue Poret foam "cartridges" to 6x6-inch ceramic bathroom tiles to make them more stable and heavier. Also can spread it on the outside of various hides and caves and then sprinkle on gravel, sand or whatever other substrate to get a more natural look.

 

[Deadeye]

That could also work but I'm not sure. Maybe Rocksor Deadeye could help

I’m honored you thought of me...but I am no good at diy. Coolest thing I’ve ever made was a sponge filter.
I love the idea FINWIN

 

[FINWIN]

I’m honored you thought of me...but I am no good at diy. Coolest thing I’ve ever made was a sponge filter.
I love the idea FINWIN

Know the expression 'necessity is the mother of invention?'

I've got two prices on similar size acrylic tanks (60"L x 18"W x 30"H). Dream tanks quoted me almost $2800 to do permanent dividers qnd custom cutouts that would allow me to use the current hutches for the parrots. But at 7 1/4" diameter the hutches won't fit in standard cutouts (7"). So I was told by going to 8" plus holes for filtration and the acrylic dividers that would escalate the price. Dividers would be 3/8" thick and permanently fixed.

The alternative is getting a 145 gal Seaclear tank from Direct Tanks (same dimensions). Cutouts are 23 x 7 each. So again, not wide enough. Not a custom tank but I could get the modular snap together dividers with suction cups (they're egg crate) on Ebay . Price for the tank would be $1600. As you can see, a HUGE difference in price. There are two sellers on Ebay who also make custom acrylic dividers from sheets.

I've been working with Jennifer at Dream Tanks. She's a true pro and answers all questions. But I'm not feeling that price. So this is where the idea came from for collapsible caves. Even if they removed the dividers it would still be around $2400.

 

[FINWIN]

Example of the snap on grids on Ebay. They come in white, clear and black depending on the seller. Suction cup clips used to attach.

View attachment 1468368

 

[FINWIN]

Just put in an ebay order for supplies. Involves no glue. I will 'freeform' some repti vines into a cylinder shape. A piece of cut foam will be rolled into the frame of vines like filling. Anchored by large river rocks. Will post up when assembled.