Algae control
- Thread starter MaineiacJay
- Start date
Thank you all for the opinions. I've kept plecos before so I'm not quite a newbie with them, they are well fed beyond the algae and I think I've only ever lost one and I never figured out why, it certainly wasn't a feeding issue.
If I recall right (from when I got my first poly, admittedly I didn't do a ton of research after the general consensus was caution), I think most of what I was reading was, in addition to the slime coat attraction, was a concern of the polys attempting to eat them tail first and catching their barbs. This is why I was considering a larger pleco. Is this an actual concern?
If I recall right (from when I got my first poly, admittedly I didn't do a ton of research after the general consensus was caution), I think most of what I was reading was, in addition to the slime coat attraction, was a concern of the polys attempting to eat them tail first and catching their barbs. This is why I was considering a larger pleco. Is this an actual concern?
All you have to do to control algae in this situation is cut the lighting back. The tank sounds overstocked for a 55 as well.
It is overstocked, which is why I'm upgrading 
unfortunately, the light that I have doesn't work without all 4 bulbs. I might be able to mess with it and see if I can get something to work, but I don't want to be out the money I spent on the light, which is quite a bit. Its also good for the plants, since the plants require good lighting.
I'll work on the light today see if I can't figure something out. Otherwise, I'll try the pleco and just watch real close. Maybe I'll even try some big snails, just something to cut back the algae to a more controllable level.
unfortunately, the light that I have doesn't work without all 4 bulbs. I might be able to mess with it and see if I can get something to work, but I don't want to be out the money I spent on the light, which is quite a bit. Its also good for the plants, since the plants require good lighting. I'll work on the light today see if I can't figure something out. Otherwise, I'll try the pleco and just watch real close. Maybe I'll even try some big snails, just something to cut back the algae to a more controllable level.
Certain more peaceful genuses of plecos do better with polys. The most common pleco to keep with larger polys would be a Royal pleco, but you could also try bristlenose or clown plecos if their size is ok.
I've had all of these combinations before without issues from the plecos ever. Definitely do not go for the common pleco. They are one of the most likely to rasp on your polys
I've had all of these combinations before without issues from the plecos ever. Definitely do not go for the common pleco. They are one of the most likely to rasp on your polys
