View Full Version : Plants and plecos
FishKeeper-16
02-08-2005, 8:14 AM
How do I keep my pl*co from destroying my live plants?
Maj0rFiSh
02-08-2005, 8:18 AM
Get a few plastic or silk ones maybe, that look alike to the ones he destroys...
Sorry to say but most plecos are bulldozing machines and are very good at uprooting plants. Perhaps you could try poting them in small open bottomed pots. That would allow the roots to grow and maybe slow the pleco down. Otherwise floating plants can be found that look very nice.
Mooch28
02-08-2005, 8:52 AM
How do I keep my pl*co from destroying my live plants?
You really cant. Mine didnt start doing damage until they hit 6 inches, i shortly after that got rid of them and grabbed 5 ottos (1inch each) and they have done an amazing job for their size already in just a few days on my 72 gallon. Not to mention, they dont harm plants one bit or poop like them plecos.......
FishKeeper-16
02-08-2005, 11:00 AM
Do all plecos uproot plants? My pleco is only about 3 inches and he is in a 29g tank but when he gets bigger, I may have to trade him for a smaller pleco.
congealedmeat
02-08-2005, 11:09 AM
Mine will bump plants around when trying to eat algae, but it doesn't actively try to uproot my plants at all. I have large stemmed Hygrophilia and large bunches of plants though. Almost all my single-stemmed/small plants get uprooted frequently, by my pleco or my other fish. Try putting the plants in a less travelled area of the tank maybe.
Try a clwon or bristlenose pleco instead. They stay under 4-5 inches in length so are a much better choice for your tank size. Also they are better known for eating algae than the big commons are. Also adding driftwood is a good idea. Many plecos require wood as part of their diet.
Mooch28
02-08-2005, 11:26 AM
Try a clwon or bristlenose pleco instead. They stay under 4-5 inches in length so are a much better choice for your tank size. Also they are better known for eating algae than the big commons are. Also adding driftwood is a good idea. Many plecos require wood as part of their diet.
Clown plekos prefer meat over veges though, so they wouldnt be that great of tank cleaners. Bristlenoose are excellent though i hear!
Well I knew that clowns stayed small. There ya go. Ottos are always the best chocie though for small and greta algae eating. Or True SAE's.
Mooch28
02-08-2005, 1:18 PM
Well I knew that clowns stayed small. There ya go. Ottos are always the best chocie though for small and greta algae eating. Or True SAE's.
Ya, i got some last week, and they do an amzing job, id say even better than my two 6 inches plecos i used to have.
FishKeeper-16
02-08-2005, 6:36 PM
Thanks, My lfs is getting a shippment of bristle nose pl*cos next week!
daveedka
02-09-2005, 12:18 AM
Depending on how badly you want to keep you pleco and how mush work you are willing to do, I just keep replanting mine until they take root finally and he can't knock them loose anymore. It is a little frustrating, but most plants get a good hold in 4-5 days and then we don't have any more problems until new plants are added. As a cautionary note, I tend to buy few few delicate plants, because I love my pleco and have no intention of removing him.
If you aren't in love with your pleco, trade the dude in on one of the suggestions above, some folks like fish tanks with plants, others like aquatic gardens with fish. to each their own.
dave
FishKeeper-16
02-09-2005, 10:55 AM
thanks and can anyone post some pics of bristle nose plecos?
Timmain42
02-09-2005, 11:04 AM
Straight from AZGardens...
Juvy
http://azgardens.com/images/Pleco-Bushy-Nose-juvenile.gif
Adult Male
http://azgardens.com/images/Pleco-Bushy-Nose.gif
tuchon35
02-09-2005, 11:28 AM
Has anyone ever used ghost shrimp for algae. I know other types of shrimp that are good i.e amano, but lfs siad that did just as good and they are only 20 cents a piece. I also second the use of ottos and true SAE's over plecos, especially if you have narrow leaved plants.
Harlock
02-09-2005, 11:50 AM
Has anyone ever used ghost shrimp for algae. I know other types of shrimp that are good i.e amano, but lfs siad that did just as good and they are only 20 cents a piece. I also second the use of ottos and true SAE's over plecos, especially if you have narrow leaved plants.
I have ghost shrimp in my tank, but not really for algae. I have them because I think they are interesting to watch. As for them eating algae, yes, they do pluck the sides of the tank and plants now and again, but they really go after fish flakes. Also, given that they are so small and not really big eaters (not nearly as much as fish) it would take a virtual horde to make a significant dip in algae in most tanks.
Aqualung
02-09-2005, 12:47 PM
My clown pleco doesn't bother my plants at all, but doesn't seem to eat any algae either. One oto does more for algae than the clown plec does. I like it anyway, even if it doesn't earn it's keep!
I have heard many people recommend bristlenoses for algae control. They don't appeal to me - I prefer groups of otos personally. I have seen some interesting color variations available with bristlenoses though, such as red marbled. There are also long-finned varieties.
FishKeeper-16
02-09-2005, 6:41 PM
I read about this great idea on how to culture algae and thought you would like to know. To grow your own algae to feed plecos, take a clean mason jar and fill it with dechlorinated water and place and aquarium safe rock in the jar and place it in direct sunlight for a week and then take the rock out and place it in the aquarium so your plecos can eat ithe algae! :)