Milkcrate cave?

[95harley]

Laying in bed this AM thinking about my DME's tank and upgrading him to a bigger tank. I have seen tanks where the center of the tank had a large rock pile/tower so that any fish could circle it and I like the look, but wanted to build a cave under it that would not collapse on my Dragon.
When it hit me, use a milkcrate flipped upside down with 4 cave entraces cut on the sides and then covered up with Live Rock. Maybe strap the LR to the sides with black zip ties and lay large show pieces on top.
Has anyone done this or tried this?
Either a 19"Lx13"Wx11"H or a 13'Lx13"Wx11"H.
Black of course to hide it.

 

[jackri]

I think that's a great idea

He has 4 exits/entrances and a great cave to live in without being crushed or harmed. THere are soo many different tanks I'd love to have -- including an eel tank

 

[spanko]

Could work if there is nothing in the plastic of the crate that would leech out an cause problems. A better option may be to build one from egg crate material.

 

[jackri]

Eggcrate is extremely flimsy -- at least the stuff I picked up is.
Personally I wouldn''t have a problem using solid plastics like an milk crate but maybe I'm being naive there.

 

[flower]

Eggcrate won't work, I tried that. it is too brittle and won't hold under the rock weight.
I don't think there is anything in a milkcrate that can leak out. It is plastic all the way through. I thought of it for my tank, but it takes up allot of room.
I found some base rock that was a good size ledge, it worked grate and seede to become live rock in no time.

 

[spanko]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/2996457
I don't think there is anything in a milkcrate that can leak out. It is plastic all the way through. I thought of it for my tank, but it takes up allot of room.
Just be careful here. There are food grade plastics for a reason. Plastics are not equal.

 

[95harley]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2996460
Just be careful here. There are food grade plastics for a reason. Plastics are not equal.
That's why I was asking if anyone had tried it before. I agree that egg crate is way to flimsy for what I want to do.

 

[jackri]

If you are concerned about the milk crate -- you could always get food grade plastic (dunno what or where) and "make" the milk crate design.
Personally... I'd probably already have the milk crate in my tank if we had on different shoes

(but I don't want to be responsible for your eel either

)

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2996460
Just be careful here. There are food grade plastics for a reason. Plastics are not equal.
How could we check?

 

[95harley]

I was also thinking about coming off either side of the main rock cave with long 2-3' runs of this pipe on either side of the tank. 4" Solid Corrugated Pipe.
I would also 1/2 way down cut a 4" circle hole out and pile rocks over it to completely cover it. Again to protect from collapses.
Anyone know about this plastic?

 

[jackri]

Looks like sump pump hose -- but at the same time.... how do you know it won't leech chemicals like the milk crate?
Definately have good ideas though

 

[flower]

There has to be a way to check on plastic to find out what is safe or unsafe. Most everything in saltwater is plastic to prevent corrosion.
So there must be some listing. Maybe we could contact a manufacturer of marine products to find out.

 

[95harley]

VERY Rough sketch of what I'm taking about doing.
Imagine it in a 180g (72x24x24). So massive centerpiece rock structure and a reef edge down either side over the pipe.
Cave opening everywhere the pipe and crate open.
But enough rock to completely cover any visible signs of pipe or crate.

 

[jackri]

Well if it's made in China it will probably have lead in it, not because it's cheaper but because it's just a good universal product to put in things like baby toys, food, clothes...
Seriously though I agree with Flower -- there should be a listing or guide out there somewhere on food grade plastics and what qualifies as such.

 

[95harley]

Maybe even strape some of that new Fake Live Rock to the sides of crate to keep the overall weight down.

 

[small triggers]

the corrugated pipe, like the stuff from HD for drainage, will leach. It is covered in petroleum based plastic and you can def. smell it. My best guess is if it smells plasticy(?) its got to much petroleum in it. Alot of the outdoor black plastic does since it helps prevent breakdown. Milk crates???? get a trashcan or use one you use for water changes and let it set in saltwater with some powerheads for a few weeks,,, see if the water changes? Thats my best option,,I would think a milk crate would be okay but ya never know,,

 

[95harley]

Originally Posted by small triggers
http:///forum/post/2996516
the corrugated pipe, like the stuff from HD for drainage, will leach. It is covered in petroleum based plastic and you can def. smell it. My best guess is if it smells plasticy(?) its got to much petroleum in it.
So PVC pipe then. It's just so hard to hide that bright white stuff.

 

[flower]

I just remembered...
I wanted to make a cave for my tank once before..
I used a piece of ceramic coral (paid $60.00) I have pictures. I still use the piece because it is like live rock now.
The one where I used it to make a cave is in a 75g, the last picture shows the piece on the far left. It is yellow, I put that picture in so you can see how it is shaped like a big fan.
I don't have pictures but before the ceramic fan thing I used a branch looking thing made of ceramic, and built my rock around that. Since it was made for a fish tank I could rest easy.

 

[keish24]

found this the other day. http://aquarium.shuru.com/ you might be able to take the idea and run with it a little....saltwater style. maybe use pvc instead of the black tubing?
if the milk crate is found to be okay to stick in your tank you might even be able to foam it with lr rubble like some on this site have done for backgrounds. or maybe make a cave out of the egg crate and foam/rock it.

 

[95harley]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2996460
Just be careful here. There are food grade plastics for a reason. Plastics are not equal.
A valid concern and since there is no real way of knowing maybe buying a small acrylic tank and drilling hole in it with a circle saw and drill would work just as good without the worry.
Now to find a 10-15g rimless acrylic tank cheap.