Judging by the reviews, many aquarists create various decorations for their pets. Coconut in the aquarium is a rather original decorative element. Being in water for a long time, the nutshell will not collapse. Of course, it will be pleasant to see it only if it is properly prepared and processed. For information on how to prepare coconut for an aquarium and what decorations you can make from it, you will learn from this article.
Who is it for
Coconut shell will become a personal shelter for small cichlids, catfish, crayfish, shrimp and crustaceans. According to the reviews of the owners, in such houses there may still be hiding panaki, plekostomusy and ancistruses.
Benefits
Some novice aquarists are interested in: why is a coconut shell considered the most common element of decor? There are several reasons for this. On a qualitatively processed surface, the appearance of rot, pathogenic bacteria and mold is not observed.
Since the coconut shell has negative buoyancy, it will be easy to sink to the bottom of the aquarium. Externally, the product also looks quite attractive and will be pleasing to the eye. Processing does not involve the use of harmful components and foreign substances. The exception is purchased products.
Where to begin?
Many beginner aquarists are interested in how to choose a coconut. Experienced masters recommend taking into account the following nuances:
- Coconut should have a completely dry surface and an attractive shade.
- If there is mold and rot, then such a fruit should not be used. Also, a coconut in which there is any damage or deformation is not suitable.
- It is desirable that there is liquid inside the coconut. Check it out easily. Enough fruit shake. If you hear a splash, then there is milk in the coconut, which means that it is not spoiled.
After the raw material base is selected, you can begin to work.
Instruments
The preparation for the further installation of coconut in the aquarium can be easily and quickly done with special tools. You will have to work with a knife, pliers, a drill and a hacksaw for metal. Installing coconut in an aquarium involves a number of activities. The life of the product will depend on how competently you do everything.
How to cut a coconut in half?
First of all, you need to extract milk from the fetus. To do this, cut the nut. First, several holes should be made in it using a drill. Only after this can you start sawing the shell. You will have to work with a hacksaw for metal. If you want to simplify this task, then you should cut across the nut.
Second step
At this stage, they are engaged in the extraction of pulp from the fruit. Three methods are provided for this purpose:
- Pulp removal by scraping. The contents of the fetus are removed with a knife. The flesh is carefully cut into small pieces. Judging by numerous reviews, this method is quite time-consuming. In addition, you should be as careful as possible so as not to cut yourself.
- The use of ants. This method is resorted to in the summer. It is enough for some time to leave the sawn pieces of walnut on the anthill. Everything else will be done by the red ants.
- By fermentation. In this case, it is not necessary to cut the shell. The craftsmen in the nut make several holes, and then put it in a dense bag in the sun. Milk must be left. Sawn the fruit at the end. Under the influence of high temperature, gruel is formed from the liquid, which is easy to get.
Preparatory work?
To coconut in the aquarium last longer, it is soaked in water. Preliminary a stiff kitchen sponge or metal washcloth thoroughly cleans the inside of the fetus. Often beginners ask the question: how much to cook coconut for an aquarium? The fact is that due to the chemicals used to process the shell, your pets may feel worse before being put on the counter. So that he does not stain water and does not harm the fish, experts advise boiling the shell for about 10 minutes. Then it is soaked for several days. It is advisable to change the water every 12 hours. At the end, the coconut cools. After performing these steps, the material is considered finished, and you can make any product out of it for the inhabitants of the tank.
How to make a do-it-yourself coconut mainsail for an aquarium?
A pretty wonderful composition will be a house for fish. To make it, you need two halves of coconut. Also, the shell, in which the lower part is sawn, is suitable. According to experienced masters, from two halves the grotto will turn out flat. If you want to make a more voluminous house, then you need to use the second option. In the product, it is necessary to drill or hollow out several holes so that the fish can safely penetrate into their home and swim out. Each house craftsman chooses the shape and size of the holes at his discretion. Judging by the reviews, the product will look more spectacular if it is made in the form of a pirate cache with treasures. It is enough to decorate it with the corresponding decor elements that imitate the treasure. They should be positioned so that they are visible through the holes in the shell.
On the manufacture of the "boat"
To make this decoration, you will have to spend a little time and effort. Before cutting the fruit in half, experts recommend finding the lines through which the halves are connected. You need to cut along the lines. As a result, two parts will come out of the shell. According to experts, dividing coconut along is difficult. In addition, a hacksaw can come off and injure you. This explains why many craftsmen cut the shell across. It is not possible to cut through the lines completely. In the end, the nut breaks well with a hammer.
Bridge
Make it from a large coconut. At the very beginning, the upper and lower parts are sawed from the shell of the fetus. The result should be a ring whose width does not exceed 100 mm. Then it is laid on a flat surface horizontally. Then a small piece is separated from it with a hacksaw. After it is thoroughly cleaned of pulp and installed in the tank. The bridge will look much more spectacular if it is landscaped. For this purpose, its surface is covered with pieces of moss. On top of it you need to put a plastic mesh. So that it does not fly off, experts recommend fixing it. Cotton thread is ideal. Now the design is ready, and it is installed in the aquarium. Two weeks later, the moss on the bridge will begin to sprout. As a result, he will cover the polyethylene mesh, and the thread will dissolve.
Decor for vegetation
A pretty good hanging pot can come out of a walnut shell. This decorative element is made as follows. First, coconut is cut into 4 parts. Of these, only one, the most even, will be required. Further, the back wall for the pot is cut out of plexiglass in the form of this part. Its thickness should be up to 3 mm. This workpiece is equipped with several through holes of 20 mm diameter. They are needed so that water circulates well inside the product. In one hole, which is located in the center, a suction cup will be installed. Plexiglas blanks are fastened to the shell using epoxy glue. When it is completely dry, the product can be attached using the suction cup from the inside to the tank.