Clay flower pots

[Shellies215]

I recently picked up a group of juli. Dickfeldi, and I just bought some clay pots to make caves for them. What should I do before I put them in the tank? Rinse them? Boil them? Bleach and dry?

Also, I made sure they aren't made in china(lead) they are made in Italy
I want to cut holes in them with a dremel, do I do this before or after prepping them to go in the tank?

[leffler817]

I use a ball pin hammer to make the bottom hole larger. Then I rinse them in the sink and boil in water for 20 minutes. :beerchug:

[fischfan13]

A very old thread...

http://forums.eastcoastcichlids.org/showthread.php?t=163&highlight=terracotta

[Shellies215]

Thanks for the link bill, but it doesn't say much about cleaning them, just cutting them. I'm gonna go try cutting a few, then I'll probably just boil 'em.

[emartin]

Just a heads up, look for terra cotta flower pots. They're a little more expensive, but those are 100% fish safe. I'd stay away from obscure "clay pots" that say "made in china" on them. What's safe for plants isn't always safe for fish.

Terra Cotta is just all natural clay. Home Depot carries those pots.

You don't have to boil them or anything (unless if they were previously used outside for plants, then I would. If brand new, then don't bother). Just rinse them.

[Shellies215]

I got these at A.C. Moore, The tag says "clay pot, 3.5", made in Italy"
I already cut holes in 2 of them and I'm boiling them right now. They look like regular terra cotta, I'm gonna try them after they cool off.

[emartin]

If they're made in italy they're most likely terra cotta...as far as I am aware Italy is one of the world's leading exporters of that stuff. You really didn't have to boil it though, not necessary for new terra cotta.

[TOMMYN3D]

I made a few. I score the bottom with the flathead first. then i tap the bottom out with a flat head scredriver and a hammer.Then i use 100 or 220 grid sand paper to smooth out the rough areas.
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt209/TOMMYN3D/family208.jpg

[dogofwar]

I just rinse them under the sink and drop them in my tanks. Never had an issue with a pot...

Near the end of the day, sometimes the folks at Home Depot and Lowes will give you the day's broken pots before they throw them out (for free). Unless, of course, you want to replicate the perfectly cut pots of The Rift Lakes...

I also have sourced pots from the Dollar Store and the 99 Cent store, which were labeled "Made in China" and seemed to work equivalent to the ones (broken and whole) from other sources.

Matt