How soon to add Pleco(s) to a new 55?

[Prometheus]

Tank has been running for 7 weeks, contents, 1 diamond tetra ( going to buy 3 more should I find any at the local LFS's), 7 zebra danios...

0 amonia, 0 nitrite... I lost my Nitrate tester (I'll be buying one tomorrow)...

I have no visible algea, but can I put 2 1.5" common plecos or like in and supplement their lacking natural algea diet with algea tablet things?

[Matt W]

Just put one in (two will end up being too much for that tank) and give it those sinking algae tablets and zuchinni...

[Prometheus]

Originally posted by Matt W
Just put one in (two will end up being too much for that tank) and give it those sinking algae tablets and zuchinni...

Opps... forgot to mention, within the next 18-24 months I am getting another tank (min. 125 gallon). If my last pleco was any indication They should be about 4" by then.

Am I correct in assuming that they will do fine in a a tank of that size?

[Ghetto2k4]

what size tank u got right now?

u only really need one common pleco b/c they get 20" and they do grow fast too

[Prometheus]

Originally posted by Ghetto2k4
what size tank u got right now?

u only really need one common pleco b/c they get 20" and they do grow fast too

55gal.

What other options would I have for Pleco's other than common, that I could keep 2? I really love the little buggers...

But alas, maybe I should get 1 Pleco and some other type cats, like a pair of little Albino's...

I'm looking to 'grow' my new 'baby' fish into a nice size for the time when my 125+ comes...

[Matt W]

You could get a couple of bristlenose, or rubbernosed. Both stay smaller. But if you do plan on going to a 125, I think two commons would be fine.

Check out the catalog at http://planetcatfish.com/...

[valerie]

I prefer birstlenose plecos to commons. I have atleast 1 BN pleco in each of my tanks. They get about 6" and can't be beat for algae eating. Commons get very big and when older don't eat as much algae and really prefer fish foods.

A 55g is a bit small for a common IMO since a 55g is only 12" wide and a common gets bigger then that. Plus they produce A LOT of waste. I would get 2 bristlenose for the 55g and if you really want a common get one for the bigger tank later.

[Prometheus]

Originally posted by valerie

A 55g is a bit small for a common IMO since a 55g is only 12" wide and a common gets bigger then that. Plus they produce A LOT of waste. I would get 2 bristlenose for the 55g and if you really want a common get one for the bigger tank later.

Thats what I'll do.

I've also decieded against 'growing' my fish i the 55 in anticipation of the 125g...

I'll deal with the fish for the 125 once I actually get it, who knows, I might move in the next 18 mons. I'd rather be moving 4" or less fish than worring about the bigger fish and costs over moving plus getting a 125 or so right away...

[valerie]

If you ge the bristlenose pelcso then make sure you feed them. In a 7 week old tank there won't be enough algae for them to eat. I feed mine algae disks, zuchini,carrots,cucumbers, shrimp pellets.

Make sure you keep up on water testing when you get them as plecos produce lots of waste and in such a new tank it might not be able to handle it all right away.

ps:try to get a male and female if you get 2

[Swbuda]

gone to sand/ or at least partial sand in your tanks..:confused: Because of the soft skin of my fish, I would like to do the same.. What kind of sand did you use? How much trouble was it? Did you wash, rinse, etc?, before adding?? Did you leave partial gravel, or go all sand?? Info appreciated! Thanks:D

[MonoSebaelover]

prometheus- You could also do a Royal Pleco in the new 125 rather than a common. I find commons to be kinda boring-they are still awesome don't get me wrong I just like plecs with more color and patterns to them. I love Royals with their brilliant red eyes and their Zebra-like stripes. Just another alternative.
Swbuda- I don't have any sand in any of my tanks (fw, bw, or sw) mainly because I keep fish that tend to stir the bottom which can make the tank cloudy constantly. I use aragonite with my plecs which is a buffer but they don't seem to mind. So I would say whatever you really want to do just wash the sand out really well or else your tank will look like soup for 2 days. Not fun. Anyway, hope this helps.

[Swbuda]

Thanks for getting back to me.. I've decided after reading a few 'posts' about having 'sand as a subtrate', I think I'll stay away from it.. I've had my tanks up and running for too long and have healthy fish :) I guess, they will continue to live in their happy home the way it is.. Shari :D

[valerie]

MonoSebaelover is right, if you just want a larger pleco to go into your 125g then a royal would be a great choice. But you shoudl know that they need wood in their diet, so if you go this way you will need to add driftwood to the tank. there are also other beautiful larger plecos to choose from.

[Prometheus]

Thanks for all the advice!

I might be getting that 125g tank sooner than I thought... Donno just yet, fingers crossed...