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Hi does anyone know where I can get oak pleco caves for L397 in uk? I have enough already along with ceramic for my L397s that love the oak ones but need to get more as i'm adding to group and want to avoid pleco conflict.

I make my own. The only supply of commercial ones seems to have dried up.

I did find a retailer but they are out of stock (i bought them all) they have said they will try to get some more, if not may have to line the bottom D caves with a thin slice of wood, or make some!

I'm still after some oak wooden caves, but now I'm wanting at least 8 of them for various Panaqolus Sp. projects, the size I'm requiring is 6 inches total length of the cave around 5.5 inches depth, hole size 2 inches diameter, as all species are similar sized. If anyone is making, able to make or knows of someone who does if you can let me know. Much appreciated!

Hey Teresa, whereabouts are you in the UK?
I'm wondering whether to make a few, I haven't got enough oak branches in stock to make as many as you want though.
I'd have to buy a bigger cutter too, but I need one anyway for my own caves.
Cheers,
Paul

I'm in Bournemouth, Dorset, as I mentioned some Panoquolus projects are in the pipeline, but there's always room for more caves though, they do seem to eat themselves out of house and home! And they do seem to prefer wooden caves. If you could let me know how many caves and a price, we could then finalise details etc. Thank you very much for the offer.

I'll order myself a new cutter and make what I can with the one oak branch I have in stock. Then you can decide if you want any!
I guess the postage cost will be as much as it will cost to make them!
Remind me in a week or so...

Thanks they dont have to be sanded to perfection, I'm happy with them looking more natural, rather than finished to perfection, I'm fairly sure the plecos will do this part!

Yes, the plecos will finish them off themselves.
What I will do is take a 6" length of 3" diameter oak branch (well dried out) and use a clean 50mm forstner cutter in my milling machine to drill a hole as deep as I can. Then you can decide whether what I have achieved is a any good to you.
Do you want the bark on or off?

If they will eat it, and most likely they will, I'm happy for the bark to stay on.

Hi @Mol_PMB, any progress with the caves as yet, know that you were busy at CSG auction, so just a reminder.

Sorry, I'm having a really manic week. I'm away this weekend too.
I might at least have the opportunity to get some more wood at the weekend.

No mad rush. As one of my projects I was due to start was put on hold. Just as well really- fish busyness! But will take as many caves as you're able to make .Thanks again.

Some progress, at least. I have acquired some more wood.
Two of these are oak and I'm not sure what the others are.
Hopefully I'll get making this weekend.

Sorry, here's the pic

Thanks Paul, I'm not sure what the others are. Definitely not an evergreen so should be safe. If you can make up as many as you can out of the wood there and post some pics when your done.

Cool, Paul.

Would you mind uploading before and after pics (or any in between that you might take) to the Home-made pleco spawning caves thread? And if you have a particular set-up for bracing the wood or drilling, could you show or explain that there, too?

Thanks, Eric

Good idea-and anyone else seeing these threads may want some:-)

OK, will do

bekateen wrote:Cool, Paul.

Would you mind uploading before and after pics (or any in between that you might take) to the Home-made pleco spawning caves thread? And if you have a particular set-up for bracing the wood or drilling, could you show or explain that there, too?

Thanks, Eric

Here you go:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 99#p296697

Teresa, how many do you want, and what sort?


Regards,
Paul

I'll take six of them and a combination of different sorts will be good, and thanks again! If you can PM me with a cost ect so we can make arrangements. You might even have some takers for the rest of them.

Those look great! Too bad I'm in the US

I might take another 2 while they are going.
Edit will go for 8 then @Mol_PMB.

Hi, sorry, been out shopping...

I need to find a box and work out postage costs. Life seems relentless at the moment and I've got a busy week ahead with work trips away. I'm taking next Monday off to catch up so should be able to get them in the post then.

I was thinking £5 a cave plus postage. Is that OK?

Sorry this is taking so long!
Cheers,
Paul

That's cool for me. How would you like me to transfer a payment for the caves either postal order or by other means, if you send me a PM when you have an idea of postage costs. And thanks again, I'll be sure to let you, and others know if the plecos breed in them!