Is wood necessary?

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Muske

Muske

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 14, 2007
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Mundelein IL
Picked up a Clown Pleco on Sat. The guy @ the LFS said they do not need driftwood if algae is present on the rocks. Planetcatfish said to have wood for them. I have lace rock w/ plenty of algae, and needed to know if I should redecorate. I have a new tank sitting in the garage, but probally won't be set up for a month at least.
 
The lfs guy doesn't know plecos. Plecos don't directly feed on driftwood. However, they do gain some nutrient, in the form of simple sugars, from the byproducts of bacteria living in the surface layers. So, provide driftwood for your plecos. Depending on species, wood could be the difference between living and thriving.
 
Oddball;1336717; said:
Yes. Moreso than some other species.
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Wow, thanks I had no idea. I have been trying to raise a monster sailfin, but I have had him for a year and he is only 8". He was about 1-2" when I got him. That might explain the need for wood.
 
Panaques are the must have, but I have it in all my tanks for all species anyway, it sure enough won't do any harm, and like oddball said, still can get something (even if not much) out of it.
 
I personally think a mix of wood and rock look the best and offer the most to the fish for their enviroment. My problem is being able to actually grow algae aside from brown spots here and there on the glass or the occasional green muck on the glass under lights above the water. I keep all my tanks in a half finished basement and far away from any windos- any sun they get is at an indirect angle. That being said my plecos seem to really enjoy the wood as they do hang out on it tons and my Raph. cats love to burrow under it.
 
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