{"product_id":"xl-aquarium-cave-standalone-centerpiece","title":"Blubber Cove XL Aquarium Cave – Standalone Centrepiece Tunnel for Large Tanks","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlubber Cove XL Aquarium Cave\u003c\/strong\u003e is the biggest cave in our range — a freestanding centrepiece tunnel designed to sit in the middle of large tanks rather than tucked into a corner. At 234mm wide on the Large size, it's built for tanks from 150 litres up where corner caves get lost and standard hides look undersized. The curved arch shape creates a dramatic visual anchor for your aquascape while giving plecos, corydoras and community fish a proper enclosed retreat. UK 3D-printed in aquarium-safe PETG.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy a standalone centrepiece?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost aquarium caves are designed for corners — they hide in the dead space against the back glass. That works for small and medium tanks, but in a 150-litre+ setup, a corner cave disappears. Large tanks need a centrepiece: a feature that anchors the aquascape, draws the eye, and gives fish a proper destination to swim toward. Place it dead centre, on a sand bank, or surrounded by driftwood — and let it be the focal point your tank deserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eXL footprint — biggest cave in our range, built for tanks 150 litres and up\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eStandalone centrepiece shape — designed to be a tank focal point, not a corner accessory\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCurved arch tunnel — wide opening for adult plecos, large catfish, big community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSubstrate-friendly base — sit visible, partially bury, or fully bury for an underground effect\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSmooth interior — safe for delicate fins and shrimp moults\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e3D-printed in Northumberland, UK from aquarium-safe PETG\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWide enough for shoaling species to retreat as a group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aquarium-safe PETG plastic\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 190 × 121 × 78 mm (60 mm opening)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge (XL) size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 234 × 150 × 97 mm (81 mm opening)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standalone — centre of tank, not corner-fitted\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard suits 60L+ · Large XL suits 150L+\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColours:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black, White, Marble Effect, Moss Green, Sand\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northumberland, United Kingdom\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blubber Cove\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable species\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAdult bristlenose plecos, common plecos, sailfin plecos\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLarge catfish — synodontis, twig catfish, clown loaches\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCorydoras shoals (the XL fits a group together)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCichlids — apistogramma, kribensis, electric blue acara, severums\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAngelfish and discus (community refuges)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNeocaridina and Caridina shrimp colonies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChoosing the right size\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard (190 × 121 × 78 mm):\u003c\/strong\u003e medium tanks 60–150 litres, larger community setups, multiple plecos\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge XL (234 × 150 × 97 mm):\u003c\/strong\u003e large tanks 150L+, adult plecos, big community setups, monster-tank centrepieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow is this different from your other Blubber Cove caves?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo things — placement and size. This is our only \u003cstrong\u003estandalone centrepiece\u003c\/strong\u003e cave (every other cave in our range is corner-fitted or foreground-placed). And the Large XL variant is the \u003cstrong\u003ebiggest cave we make\u003c\/strong\u003e — designed specifically for tanks where smaller caves look out of scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAquascape placement ideas\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDead centre:\u003c\/strong\u003e primary focal point with plants radiating outward\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSand bank centrepiece:\u003c\/strong\u003e place on a raised sand mound for elevated drama\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDriftwood pairing:\u003c\/strong\u003e flank with driftwood branches to extend the silhouette\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePartial burial:\u003c\/strong\u003e bury one side under substrate for an asymmetric natural look\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull burial:\u003c\/strong\u003e cover entirely with substrate for an invisible underground tunnel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it dominate my tank visually?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's the point. In a 150L+ tank, you want a clear centrepiece. The arch shape is dramatic but not noisy — it reads as a natural rock formation rather than a moulded ornament. If you want something subtler, our Arch Bridge Corner Cave is the refined version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill my pleco fit through the entrance?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the Large XL, yes — the 81mm opening fits adult bristlenose plecos and most common plecos. For very large sailfin or common plecos approaching 30cm body length, measure first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I bury it in substrate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — fully or partially. The shape works in three modes: fully visible centrepiece, half-buried for asymmetric naturalism, or fully buried as an underground tunnel where only the entrance shows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it work in a smaller tank?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Standard size (190mm wide) works in 60-litre tanks and up. The Large XL needs 150L+ to look proportionate — in smaller tanks it dominates more than it should.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for shrimp colonies?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. PETG is shrimp-safe (no copper, no leaching). The XL size is particularly good for large colonies because multiple shrimp can graze the interior surfaces without competing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it work for cichlids?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — the enclosed shape suits cave-spawners like apistogramma, kribensis and electric blue acara. The XL size makes a proper breeding territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy buy from Blubber Cove\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal aquascaper-designed pieces, 3D-printed to order in our Northumberland workshop in aquarium-safe PETG. The XL Centrepiece is the flagship of our cave range. Free UK delivery over £30.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Blubber Cove","offers":[{"title":"Black \/ Standard","offer_id":49761834664200,"sku":"","price":24.15,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ Large","offer_id":49761834696968,"sku":"","price":37.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ Standard","offer_id":49761834729736,"sku":"","price":24.15,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ Large","offer_id":49761834762504,"sku":"","price":37.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Marble Effect \/ Standard","offer_id":49761834795272,"sku":"","price":24.15,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Marble Effect \/ Large","offer_id":49761834828040,"sku":"","price":37.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Moss Green \/ Standard","offer_id":49761834860808,"sku":"","price":24.15,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Moss Green \/ Large","offer_id":49761834893576,"sku":"","price":37.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sand \/ Standard","offer_id":49761834926344,"sku":"","price":24.15,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sand \/ Large","offer_id":49761834959112,"sku":"","price":37.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0880\/7114\/3688\/files\/underground-aquarium-or-reptile-cave-and-tunnel-in-2-sizes-centre-of-tank-915612.jpg?v=1771584296","url":"https:\/\/www.getwarsplay.com\/products\/xl-aquarium-cave-standalone-centerpiece","provider":"WarSplay","version":"1.0","type":"link"}