So since my LF BN plecos are getting closer to a breeding age I figured I should get the ball rolling and get their caves made. I only have one done so far. But here is my process and finished product. Since I promised I would share 
First I cut to the desired length and washed and dried them
I then sanded down the rough edges so they wouldn't get scraped at the opening as well as making the exterior more adhesive to the silicone
On the left you can see the rounded corners and on the right how jagged and sharp they were before sanding.
4 completely sanded and re-washed tubes. I let them air dry this time just because I had other things I needed to do.
I then used the stove top elements to heat the pvc to make it pliable. I used oven mits to hold it and to pinch it with. When it cooled down enough to still be slightly pliable but enough to hold bare handed I pinched it shut and ran under cold water to cool off and stay in desired place
I then used aquarium safe silicone to individually, yes time-consuming-color-choice-picking-indivially, apply the stones that matched the tank substrate to the exterior of the pvc.
I then used my (gloved) finngers to spread silicone around the edge and inner inch of the tube with silicone and then pressed smaller rock to that. Doesn't exactly match however, I wanted to disguise the pvc some and the bigger stones wouldn't stay.
I let this dry for a minimum of 24 hours. I got busy and it was put in another room so it ended up being closer to a week or two before being put into the tank but here is the finish product in the tank.
One of the larger LF BN has already started camping out in it within 3 hours of it being in the tank. My largest SF BN (that will be moved to a different tank) still chooses to reside in the bamboo for now.
First I cut to the desired length and washed and dried them
I then sanded down the rough edges so they wouldn't get scraped at the opening as well as making the exterior more adhesive to the silicone
On the left you can see the rounded corners and on the right how jagged and sharp they were before sanding.
4 completely sanded and re-washed tubes. I let them air dry this time just because I had other things I needed to do.
I then used the stove top elements to heat the pvc to make it pliable. I used oven mits to hold it and to pinch it with. When it cooled down enough to still be slightly pliable but enough to hold bare handed I pinched it shut and ran under cold water to cool off and stay in desired place
I then used aquarium safe silicone to individually, yes time-consuming-color-choice-picking-indivially, apply the stones that matched the tank substrate to the exterior of the pvc.
I then used my (gloved) finngers to spread silicone around the edge and inner inch of the tube with silicone and then pressed smaller rock to that. Doesn't exactly match however, I wanted to disguise the pvc some and the bigger stones wouldn't stay.
I let this dry for a minimum of 24 hours. I got busy and it was put in another room so it ended up being closer to a week or two before being put into the tank but here is the finish product in the tank.
One of the larger LF BN has already started camping out in it within 3 hours of it being in the tank. My largest SF BN (that will be moved to a different tank) still chooses to reside in the bamboo for now.
