Re: Coconut Caves?

by **2tall** on Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:41 pm

Phew!

by **Dreaming Moonlily** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:24 am

I used a grinder to smooth out my coconut cave, was really easy. I would recommend protective eyewear, even with my glasses a few pieces got around and hit me in the eyelid.

My coconut does have a tiny hole in it, but my betta is "big boned" so I don't think she has any chance of getting stuck in it but I'll keep an eye out and make sure not to use it with the smaller ones.

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:38 am

The coconut caves at the lfs were just to small so I decided to make my own.
I did mine all by hand except the drain holes. I almost screwed up though.

I used the bigger half for the cave because the coconut I found wasn't karge enough to make two. So I thought I'll just make a playpen for the neons(2) and drill a dozen small holes they fit through. Then I remembered the horror stories I had heard!

by **pumkin54** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 7:41 am

Where's these famous pics! Very Happy

by **Netty** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:14 am

LOL...yep best to not have any holes with Bettas about. One of our males recently got his head stuck in the hole at the top of his coconut cave. Luckily I spotted him straight away and was able to gently push him back out.

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:08 am

I'm positive I was referring to your incident Netty. It was fairly recent, although I've read a couple others. I'm such a name dropper!

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:12 am

Sounds like your Petco's are like ours here. Not a good place for advice overall.
I'd be leary asking directions to the exit! Cheaper prices= cheaper help!

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:28 am

Oh...I'm sorry Pumpkin. Pictures of Marcus and cave in Betta Showcase (New Tenant). I need a different camera as this one is older.

by **Taelin** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:07 pm

I'm terrified of anything with little holes after coming home from work to find Frost (My profile picture) Stuck in the little hole in his castle. I had to cut the castle into little bits to get him out and he'd scraped his back right down to his pink fleshy fish meat. Sad

I lost him 2 days later. Holes scare me. That was a very traumatic experience.

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:26 pm

I remember reading that when it happened. Everything you do to provide for them and then a fluke! That was a very sad tragedy!

by **Taelin** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 3:59 pm

It was. He was a beautiful fish...probably one of my favourites. I miss him.

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:03 pm

Have you seen the blue green diamond HM @ Canadabettas in Quebec on Aquabid? I think hes unique!

by **Taelin** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:06 pm

I haven't. But the shipping for Canadabettas is quite high. $20-$25, and that was before the new HST tax was introduced. I can't afford to spend $50 on a betta, no matter how beautiful. I"ve bought from Ontariobetta before...Actually Frost came from her. As did Jewels, Juliette and Peaches.

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:20 pm

I can't afford it myself! I look on Aquabid just to see them. I wouldn't special
order from Thailand because I wouldn't put the little ones through it!

by **Taelin** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:22 pm

There's a lot from the states, too! There's a guy from Oklahoma (I think!) who will ship worldwide and for fairly reasonable...

by **2tall** on Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:26 pm

I'm finding them more & more as pursue it! I'm still computer illiterate!

by **Mesatalia** on Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:24 am

I bought a coconut not long ago just for kicks, before I got my Bettas. I was doing some basic coconut research on how to open and de-flesh it and I found a nice tip. If you put it in a warm oven for 15-20 minutes after it's opened, the flesh will pull away from the sides a little bit so it's easier to chunk it out. What I did for mine was to cut a circle about 1/2 inch or so down from the rim, all the way around, then popped it out. When it got too flat for coconut rings I just cut a grid and popped out the squares.

The rest is easy to clean up, though I dunno about the hairs.

by **2tall** on Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:38 am

I'll have to keep that in mind as I will be making more I'm sure. Thanks for the tip!

You can sand the hairs off. I'm seen them in the lfs with the hairs still on. I would be
concerned with the hairs falling off causing debris in the tank. Better to be safe!

by **Mesatalia** on Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:51 am

....you know I just might do that myself. My new betta seems to be happy with a hiding spot but the other one likes to be out in the open more.

by **2tall** on Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:15 am

I believe from listening to others its good to set them with a cave, or a terra cotta pot(cover the hole) and plants. Live or silk are the best as not to tear fins. They don't always hide, but occasionally they may wish to. If you have plastic plants drag nylon hose across to see if it snags. If it does its recommended not to use.

Are they in bowls or tanks? The general agreement is 15-20L although a little smaller is okay from others.