I just got 2 pl*cos and would like to have some algae in the tank for them to eat. Is there a way to start algae growing in your tank? I have been feeding them algae pellets so far.
Last edited:
Growing algae in your tank
- Thread starter ilikefish77
- Start date
Hi ilikefish,
So far as I know, significant growth of algea is a sign of an unhealthy tank. If you're not having troubles with the stuff I serously recommend you don't court it. Algea tablets are made of pure algae at the end of the day and your fish will do fine on them. If you want to supplement a Pleco's diet then there are other ways to do it:
Live foods such as Booldworms and Tubifex provide protein, as does a small piece of grilled chicken.
A slice of potato, cucumber or courgette (zucchinni in the US) are also good. Make sure to take the potato out of the tank as soon as it starts to turn black though. And don't leave the chicken in too long either.
Hope this is of help.
Scott
So far as I know, significant growth of algea is a sign of an unhealthy tank. If you're not having troubles with the stuff I serously recommend you don't court it. Algea tablets are made of pure algae at the end of the day and your fish will do fine on them. If you want to supplement a Pleco's diet then there are other ways to do it:
Live foods such as Booldworms and Tubifex provide protein, as does a small piece of grilled chicken.
A slice of potato, cucumber or courgette (zucchinni in the US) are also good. Make sure to take the potato out of the tank as soon as it starts to turn black though. And don't leave the chicken in too long either.
Hope this is of help.
Scott
Last edited:
Algea is undesireable by many people, but not necessarily a sign of a unhealthy tank. I would however reccomend growing it outside of your tank and putting it in for the pleco's if you want to go that route. Get 3 or four very small peices of driftwood, put them in a container with water and maybe a small amount of clear ammonia. Set them in the sunlight of a window or outside if weather permits. you may wish to cover the container so as not to culture insect larvae. When the wood is covered put it in your tank, then just trade it off now and then. Depending on what type of pleco you have you may find that they don't eat a lot of algea.
dave