Placement of a new tank

[nellybelly]

Hi there,

I'm looking at moving up from a 20 gal tank to a 30 or 45 bow front. My issue is where to put it that will be convenient and enjoyable. We spend most of our time in our family room which is open to the kitchen. I have a spot near a window (also 5 feet from a sink). We have a farmers porch all around the house, (including outside this window). There are skylights in the room too, but it's north facing. Is this just tempting fate for green stuff? The house is an open floor plan and it's difficult to find some wall space let alone a convenient space near a sink. With this size tank, I'd sure like it close to the sink! I'd also hate to set it up where I can't see it all the time.

The 20 gallon sits on the counter in the kitchen and is a breeze to take care of.

Would staffing it with an extra pleco help keep things under control?

Many thanks for any advice

[OrionGirl]

Lots of light is just one aspect of algae problems, and not the most important, IMO. Controlling the nutrients by feeding appropriately and cleaning regularly are much better methods of reducing algae. Adding a pleco will only help if a) it's the right kind--common and many others eat algae as juveniles, not adults. b) Your maintenance and stocking includes for the waste from this fish--copious amounts, in most cases. One pleco is the equivalent of several tetra-sized fish. If you enjoy bottom feeders, this is fine, but if trading some lively, colorful fish for one larger one that you won't see often doesn't make you happy, don't do it.

[Prometheus]

Personally I would rather lug around a 5 gal bucket (which I do for my 55) than have my tank near a high traffic area that might cause the fish to become spooked every time someone was moving around so close to the tank...

The 30 sits in the corner of my living room, away from the 'walk-thru' areas and my 55 is in my office/den against the far wall for these reasons...

But I have to agree that I would rather have my 55 in the living room and 30 in the office, but the 55 just wouldn't fit unless I placed it in a high traffic area...