Terra Cotta Pipes/Tubes

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FIU Panther

FIU Panther

Piranha
MFK Member
Jan 24, 2008
207
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South Florida
Does anyone know where you can order terra cotta pipes/tubes for clown loaches?

I've seen them used a ton on YouTube videos, but it seems like it's always in tanks overseas.
 
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If so you could order from them or you could go to

Mugwump's Fish World

Mugwump's Fish World
www.mugwump-fish-world.com
And ask for Barb Odgers as I got a few from her a few years ago. If you do go this route tell the site that fishhead0103666 is doing well and sends his regards.
 
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Have you not considered going down to the local plumbers merchants? I use PVC pipes. You can buy a long length and get loads of hidey holes out of it by chopping it down to size. You can get varying sizes in diameter depending on how big your fish are, they come in different colours (usually limited to black, white and brown). You can also get square ones as opposed to the usual round ones which sit better against the bottom of your tank. Due to them being PVC they readily sink too.

You can also buy couplings and twisty bits so you can make some great curved hidey holes too. I have a few in my 180g buried in rocks and driftwood. My clowns love them but they are beginning to outgrow them now, I need to go up a size in pipe and make some more.

Below is a small selection of stuff I get from work, I work in plastics recycling and get stuff like this in every day.

20200129_072046.jpg
 
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I also personally have sections of PVC in a couple of aquarium's. My Irwini and Raphael Catfish love to hide in the PVC lol.
 
fishhead0103666 said:
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Click to expand...

I've seen the pleco claves, but was referring to the tubes that resemble PVC pipes but are actually made of terra cotta. The pleco claves don't have an exit.

esoxlucius said:
Have you not considered going down to the local plumbers merchants? I use PVC pipes.
Click to expand...

I have, and they would be infinitely easier to find.

I'm actually just curious if these terra cotta pipes are readily available here in the US.

It doesn't seem that they are.
 
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How big we talking here?
Chimney tiles can be found at Lowe’s or Home Depot but they maybe to large.
What about roofing tiles like the curved ones?
I don’t know if they are readily available.
 
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In my area there are several mom and pop builders supply you can usually go look through broken and seconds at these places sometimes they will just give you stuff if you only want a piece or two.
Just a thought
 
Caveat: terra cotta can be toxic. In University we killed an entire tank overnight with a flowerpot.
Maybe contaminants, maybe the material itself. Try to get fully fired clay, preferably from a known potter or garden supplier rather than Walmart. Soak & age first, take baby steps with introduction. Maybe set in the QT tank (bucket?) with a few guppies before introducing to precious loachie buddies.
Yes, I'm paranoid... which does not make me wrong ;)

FIU Panther FIU Panther , yes, it/they are available in the US. Terra Cotta's just a type of clay, common in Mexico/Mexican craft. In South Florida you should be able to find it in any latin-oriented cookery shop, to start. Option #2 is to dust off the old Public Library card & sign yourself up for a pottery class & make you own.

PS: Where in S.Fla, & do you heat your loach tanks? If not, how do they fare on those particuarly cool nights like a couple' weeks ago?
 
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