I got 2 plecos , my tank is 80gal , black sand bottom. They seem to **** more than they clean ... I'm cleaning my sand often but , theres always poop everywhere .... Are they really useful ? I know choosing sand was a mistake --"
Are Pleco Realy useful ?
- Thread starter sebasmondoux
- Start date
someone posted something about that on this thread i started http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?485685-A-Question-about-Plecos
Personally I dont see a real use for plecos in my tanks. In my larger tanks I do 40% water changes every 5th day, and 50% once a week in my smaller growout tanks. I keep live plants in all my tanks, and all are on a 6 hour timer (most of them get some natural sunlight throughout the day - hence the 6 hours). Iv never had any algae issues at all and rarely need to clean the glass. So for me plecos are next to useless. But it all depends on the rythem of your tank and your maintenance schedule. Or if your a fan of plecos or not.
How was sand a mistake?
I'm growing out my common in a 75 because he is going in a pond soon.
White sand definitely does and I can attest to pleco's making more of a mess then they clean as well and I'm a pleco fanboy.lol! There are a lot of fish that clean algae better then a pleco as well and they even have the luxury of pooing less or should I say it's not as noticeable. As for controlling algae the best way is the same way with any problem which is to be preventative. Make sure not to overfeed and limit the amount of time your lights are on. I personally rarely have any algae in my tank and it's because I follow those simple rules. If your a pleco fan though I suggest a really good powerhead to help alleviate the problem. With a good powerhead that's not limited to a left and right direction you can clear some of the poop to the corners of your tank or the filter inlets with very little sand disturbance.
Why would anyone believe a fish will scrap algea off of aquarium decorations in favor of readily prepared food falling from above?
Why do so many people think a fish is the replacement to good aquarium husbandry? Clean the tank.
People keep plecos because they enjoy the species. People who buy plecos to "CLEAN" their tank are just lazy.
My L190 is a freakin' chainsaw. It has completely smoothed the driftwood in my tank and continuously showers the floor of the tank with sawdust. My 15" sailfin only eats Oscar pellets. I like these fish and keep them because they are cool. I clean the tank. Its my responsibility to provide a proper environment for the fish who didn't ask to be caged up in a glass display...
Why have any fish? I know people who think I am crazy to have fish, in a tank, in my house. Its a lot of work. What use is a predatory fish in an aquarium? All they do is eat, swim and poop. That's it.
Unless you breed and sell, why have fish, any fish, in an aquarium? Just a waste of time and money, right?
And the cleaning.....the constant cleaning.......
Why do so many people think a fish is the replacement to good aquarium husbandry? Clean the tank.
People keep plecos because they enjoy the species. People who buy plecos to "CLEAN" their tank are just lazy.
My L190 is a freakin' chainsaw. It has completely smoothed the driftwood in my tank and continuously showers the floor of the tank with sawdust. My 15" sailfin only eats Oscar pellets. I like these fish and keep them because they are cool. I clean the tank. Its my responsibility to provide a proper environment for the fish who didn't ask to be caged up in a glass display...
Why have any fish? I know people who think I am crazy to have fish, in a tank, in my house. Its a lot of work. What use is a predatory fish in an aquarium? All they do is eat, swim and poop. That's it.
Unless you breed and sell, why have fish, any fish, in an aquarium? Just a waste of time and money, right?
And the cleaning.....the constant cleaning.......
Wow someone's passionate! Lol! Seriously I hear where your coming from I said as much in my post that pleco's shouldn't be thought of as algae cleaners and even suggested the way to maintain the tank to avoid a constant algae onslaught. Still we have to realize there's misinformation out there and the OP could be a victim of it. Perhaps he thought he was trying to create a mini ecosystem. Trying to find a natural way to keep the aquarium clean and create a balance. Some saltwater tanks actually come pretty close to accomplishing it with natural pest removers including algae eaters. So perhaps that's what the OP was going for and his motivation wasn't laziness. So we do the best to inform him then brow beat him if he doesn't listen.Lol!(joking) Personally I like cleaning my tank it's part of my form of expression. I express myself in the aquascaping and the maintaining of that appearance. I derive joy from trying to make my tank look as best as I can and get sense of accomplishment from it. So I understand where your coming from, just saying let's give people the benefit of the doubt.