DIY longspine urchin.

[rcypert]

I need to construct something that resembles a longspine urchin for my bangaiis to spit their babies in. I was thinking a pvc cap with weedwacker wire and then spray paint the whole thing black. What are the brands of spray paint that are safe in marine tanks? I need some fresh ideas I dont like the spray paint idea at all. I also want thinner spines that arent so flexible. I wonder if i can harvest spines off a living longspine urchins and let him grow them back? What do you guys think?

[Kinetic]

I've seen a styrofoam ball, cut in half, with zip ties sticking out of it... zip tied to a rock =)

[rcypert]

interesting. Still the spines might be to flexible. I have a wrasse and he is going to want to chow down on those babies so i need some pointy sharp firm spines to keep his *** away.

[rafael13]

the spines of a real urchin are very brittle, you woun't be able to stick the in to any thing

[JaredWaites]

Plastic tooth picks.

Krylon Fusion has been used in reef tanks I do believe.

[rcypert]

That sounds good. Thank you sir. Still open to suggestions.

[Kinetic]

Thin fiberglass rods from TAP plastics.

Acrylic hemisphere from TAP plastics.

Plastic drill bit from TAP plastics.

Weldon Glue from TAP plastics.

Drill tons of little holes pretty far into the acrylic hemisphere, weldon into the holes, and stick precut fiberglass rods into it.

One long 5 foot rod would probably make a few urchins Small enough hemisphere, long enough rods and banggai's will be able to hide in them at any size.

Fiberglass rods are extremely rigid and won't break. One 5 foot stick is a few bucks.

[rcypert]

Wow thats an idea thanks man.

[Altpers0na]

long (5 inch ish) plastic skewers.. or bamboo skewers even... and a shaped piece of reef bones... w/ some epoxy or silicone to hold the skewers in...

[cougarguy]

Or you could 1/16" carbon fiber rods ( already black) and a black acrylic ball off of ebay, drill some holes add some glue and you have a urchin.