Appropriate tank size for a common pleco?

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feedingfrenzy

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Mar 22, 2007
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I have a small pleco, about 4 inches in length, and it's clear I'll need to upgrade my tank size to keep him because my ammonia levels are high. Currently, I'm maintaining with frequent water changes. I have him in a 29G tank with some tetras and changing about 40-50% every day or every other day. I want him and the others to be happy and healthy, so I know I'll need to upgrade.

How large of a tank will he need? What are some good tank mates for him?

I don't want to have to upgrade twice, so if you have a fully established tank with a large pleco, please tell me about it. Thanks! Mere
 
Someone is going to say 125. Somone else will say 55. Be prepared.
 
I have my common pleco in a 125 gallon. He was moved over from the 46 which he outgrew very fast. Now he seems content. He is currently living with some angels, tetras, and rainbow fish in a fully planted 125.

Marinemom
 
i have one in a 75 and he seems to have stoped growing, about 7-8 inches. although i have seem 2.5' foot ones get as large a tank as you possibly can afford (it'll be worth it :D)
 
Thanks, I wanted a ballpark figure. I know bigger is better but I do have some spending limits. He's driving my ammonia up like crazy since he's growing and eating well. For those of you who have one, how often do you have to do water changes (with your tank size) once the tank is established?
 
I do water changes once a week in all of my tanks of about 25% except for the discus tank that gets a 60% water change twice a week.

Marinemom
 
as far as water volume, i would say when he gets bigger, 75+ to start with. you can put other fish in there too, but begin with a large amount of water. that doesn't mean a 75g standard tank is good though - these fish get 18 inches or longer. the best thing, yet probably least possible thing would be to find a custom tank - something with enough floor space for the fish. for example, when my common plec started growing out of his 10g tank (i know, i know - terrible person. i was a newb then), he moved into a custom 50g tank 4ft by 1.5 ft by 1 foot high. that has been giving him plenty of room to hang out on the bottom without being cramped. a standard 55g would have been fish prison. now he's moving to a 150g tank 5ft by 2ft by 2ft - still plenty of floor space, but i don't have to have 300g to get it.
 
Also, the bigger the tank, the easier your water changes get. With 75 gal plus, you should only have to do wc once a week. These fish get massive, eat huge amounts, and run heavy bioload. They are also worth the work IMO. Great fish to keep, especially as they get bigger.
 
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