7 DIY Aquarium Caves Ideas (Functional and Natural-Looking)

DIY Aquarium Cave

AquariumFishCity.com is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

If you’re looking to add a personal touch to your fish tank, why not DIY aquarium caves? Not only will it be more cost-effective, but you’ll also have creative control over the size and shape of your rocks and caves. Best of all, making your own DIY aquarium caves is a fun project that the whole family can enjoy.

With a bit of creativity and some basic supplies, you can create unique aquarium caves that will take your fish tank to the next level.

Know Your Purpose

Whether you’re a big fan of DIY or simply want to save some money, there are many reasons to want to make your own aquarium caves.

Before you start, it’s essential to know your purpose for making the cave. Are you looking to provide hiding places for your fish? Create a more natural-looking environment? Or simply add some exciting décor to your fish tank?

Your purpose will dictate the materials you use and how you construct your aquarium caves.

Building a Functional Aquarium Caves

If your goal is to provide hiding places for your fish, then you’ll want to use materials that are safe for them to swim through and won’t damage their fins. Be careful with anything painted or glazed, as they might leach chemicals into the water.

You’ll also want to make sure that your aquarium cave is structurally sound and won’t collapse under the weight of the water.

PVC Pipe is the most popular choice for building functional caves because it’s cheap, readily available, and easy to work with. What’s more, it provides unlimited possibilities for creating all sorts of shapes and sizes.

Creating a Natural-Looking Environment

If you’re looking to create a more natural-looking environment, using natural rocks is your best bet. You can use collected gravel and stones on a nature hike; it’s acceptable, but be sure to test and clean the rocks thoroughly before adding them to your tank, as they might harbor harmful bacteria or release toxins into the water.

Slate rock is the most common rock offered for natural-looking aquariums. It has a smooth, even surface that is perfect for creating an aquarium cave or other hiding place for fish. It is available in four different colors, including gray, green, red, and blue, making it a great way to add extra visual interest to your aquarium. 

7 DIY Aquarium Caves Ideas

Many talented fish keepers share their DIY aquarium cave ideas online, so if you’re stuck, here are some easy and functional ideas to get you started.

Tupperware DIY Aquarium Caves

Tupperware DIY Aquarium Cave

One of the most straightforward DIY aquarium cave ideas is to use a Tupperware container. Just make sure that it’s made of food-grade plastic. The better quality the Tupperware, the more rocks you can pile on top without the fear of it collapsing.

To make this aquarium cave, simply take your Tupperware container and cut a hole in the side that’s big enough for your fish to swim through. You can use a drill or a sharp knife for this. Then, cover the outside of the container with rocks, using aquarium-safe silicone to secure them in place.

For more information, click here.

CD Case DIY Aquarium Hideouts 

CD Case DIY Aquarium Hideouts 

Start by taking an old CD case and cutting holes in the side. Then, use silicone to glue gravel and rocks around the outside of the case.

You can make as many or as few DIY aquarium caves as you want, and they can be any size or shape that you like. Just make sure that the silicone is aquarium-safe and that the rocks you use are too.

For more information, click here.

PVC Pipe and Styrofoam Aquarium Cave

Another practical DIY aquarium cave idea is to use PVC pipe and styrofoam that is covered with concrete. There is no need to worry about the safety of using concrete in an aquarium, which has been a common misconception for years.

While it’s true that portland cement is a non-toxic material, it can be harmful to fish if it’s not properly cured. Most Portland cement products are aquarium safe unless they are labeled as “modified” or “polymer modified.” The addition of these ingredients can be harmful to fish and other aquatic life. 

Unfortunately, Joe has not updated part 3 with his finished project, but you can get the gist of it from the video.

Multi-Hole PVC Pipe DIY Aquarium Caves

This functional Multi-Hole aquarium cave idea uses multi PVC pipes to create an underwater maze for your fish. It’s a great way to provide hiding places and shelter for your fish, as well as some fun décor for your tank.

The cost for this project for just the supplies is about $30 or less.

DIY Cheap Coconut Caves for Fish Tanks

When most people think of coconuts, they conjure images of tropical beaches and piña coladas. But for savvy aquarists, coconuts are much more than a summertime snack – they’re an excellent way to create natural-looking caves for aquariums.

They help to create a hiding place where fish can feel safe and secure, and the coconut’s rough exterior provides a perfect surface for algae to grow. Perfect for corys, crayfish, hermit crabs, plecos, as well as Kribs.

Natural Slate Rock DIY Aquarium Cave for Cichlids

For most African Cichlids, a natural slate rock aquarium cave is an excellent way to duplicate their natural habitat. These fish are used to living in rocky environments, so a cave made of slate rock will make them feel right at home.

To make a slate rock aquarium cave, simply take some slate rocks and stack them on top of each other, using silicone to secure them in place.

DIY Slate Monster Fish Cave from Slate Tiles

Slate Monster Fish Cave

Here is another interesting aquarium fish cave made out of slate tiles and a plastic container. Depending on your fish size, you may need to adjust the size of the container and the number of slate tiles used.

This aquarium cave would be great for larger fish, as they would have plenty of room to swim around inside. Fake aquarium plants can also be added to the outside of the cave for a more natural look.

For more information, click here.

Aquarium Safe Silicone

A DIY aquarium hideout can be a fun and easy project. Either you can do it with PVC Pipes you already have around the house or easily find natural slate rocks at a local store. But before you start gluing anything together, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re using aquarium-safe silicone.

Aquarium safe silicone is a type of adhesive that is designed for use in aquariums. It is odorless, non-toxic, and will not harm your fish or other aquatic life.

While there are many different brands of aquarium silicone on the market, I recommend using Aqueon Aquarium Silicone Sealant. It’s a high-quality silicone that is specifically designed for use in aquariums, and it’s very easy to work with.

Aqueon Silicone Sealant Clear 3 Ounces
  • Waterproof seal stops leaks
  • Permanently flexible; does not crack or shrink
  • Easy to apply long-lasting bond
  • 100% Non-toxic silicone for use on freshwater or saltwater aquariums
  • Clear silicone color - also available in black silicone

Final Words

DIY aquarium caves are a great way to add visual interest to your fish tank while providing a hiding place for your aquatic friends. I hope you enjoyed these projects and found some inspiration for your own DIY aquarium cave. 

So get creative and start planning your next DIY aquarium cave project today! If you have any good ideas that you would like to share, please leave a comment below.

Was this article helpful?
YesNo
Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
Pinterest
Jeff Colt

Jeff Colt

Hello, I'm Jeff- an aquarium enthusiast with over 25 years of experience caring for a wide array of tropical fish, including koi, goldfish bettas, cichlids and more! For me: Aquariums are like jello - there's always room for more!

Leave a Comment

Recommended