need suggestions!

[Bsixxx]

hi guys and gals,

geting some algea or what ever on my tank and some other stuff around the tank, and i was just wondering is there a pleco that isnt to expencive and gets too big, but can handle its own with cichlids and such, that also is carnivorous or what ever, can eat scraps of food and stuff?


soory im a noob to plecos


thanks in advanced



PS: I also have silica sand in the tank, dont know if that would be a problem with it and also have plants that i dont want destroyed by it.

 

[Morledzep]

common plecos will do all those things.. hoover and the twins live in the big tank with 3 pbass over 10 inches, 2 red bay snooks both over 6 inches, one 14 inch TSN and 2 large blue crayfish. and none of the plecos are over 5 inches, and they've all been in that tank since they were less than 2 inches long.

they eat shrimp, tuna, turkey hearts.. any kind of meat that the other fish leave behind, and i put in parboiled zucchini about twice a month, and peas every week and algae disks every other day.

I've recently stepped up the number of zucchini and peas because we're trying to (actually trying not to, so far with no success) lose our biggest pleco, Kirby, to bloat or dropsy..he's still in the hospital tank with meds, but we only had a couple fleeting days of improvement.

Plecos in general can definitely hold their own with most fish, Kirby had a rough life in the 45 gal corner tank with a red devil and a flowerhorn before we got him, he was kinda torn up, but he rebounded really quick once we got them separated.

i think mostly all plecos need is a way to get away from the other fish in the tank.. a cave, rock formation.. just something to hide in or behind.

 

[T time]

Ancistrus sp. are the some of the best as far as algae removal is concerned.

 

[robmcd]

Another alternative for you are Flagtails (Prochilodus) AKA fei fengs (they would look killer in that 240). They eat all of the brown algea in my tanks. I have 1 in each tank Im running, in addition a bunch of different plecs. Do you have that garage door open alot? Cause from what Im seeing, even the slightest exposure to natural sunlight, even indirectly, will trigger some kind of algea bloom. Plecs arent nec gonna put an end to algea on the glass either, you gotta get wet and scrape it off, I used a razor blade tonight. First time in 7 months. Maybe look into a UV sterilizer/clarifier. Im not sayin dont get a plec, all tanks should have at least 1. In your case just get a common or a ''chocalate'' (dont know L# or scientific name) . Both are really cheap, grow big quickly, and can take a punch. I can get you lined up with a big common plec for almost maybe nothing.

 

[Bsixxx]

Another alternative for you are Flagtails (Prochilodus) AKA fei fengs (they would look killer in that 240). They eat all of the brown algea in my tanks. I have 1 in each tank Im running, in addition a bunch of different plecs. Do you have that garage door open alot? Cause from what Im seeing, even the slightest exposure to natural sunlight, even indirectly, will trigger some kind of algea bloom. Plecs arent nec gonna put an end to algea on the glass either, you gotta get wet and scrape it off, I used a razor blade tonight. First time in 7 months. Maybe look into a UV sterilizer/clarifier. Im not sayin dont get a plec, all tanks should have at least 1. In your case just get a common or a ''chocalate'' (dont know L# or scientific name) . Both are really cheap, grow big quickly, and can take a punch. I can get you lined up with a big common plec for almost maybe nothing.

wow thanks guys

and rob I was thinking of getting maybe a small school of flagtails maybe 3
but heard they cost a bunch and I dont want to pay for something that could be killed or eaten in my tank

and I was also looking into a UV sterilizer

hmm I might get one when i build my sump

 

[robmcd]

Theyre pretty tough fish, (prochilodus)but if you get more than one, make it 3 total. A pair of them will f*** each other up till one dies. Cost 20 to 30 bux for small ones, but waay worth it!

 

[Bsixxx]

Theyre pretty tough fish, (prochilodus)but if you get more than one, make it 3 total. A pair of them will f*** each other up till one dies. Cost 20 to 30 bux for small ones, but waay worth it!

thats pretty good i geuss

but ive checked a few sites and it says that they will eat my plants

 

[robmcd]

thats pretty good i geuss

but ive checked a few sites and it says that they will eat my plants

Have you seen my tanks ??? All planted, and they dont mess with them at all. Ive seen the same info and its not nec true.They end up eating whatever the rest of the fish eat, pellets, krill, even small feeders. Never plants.

 

[Bsixxx]

Have you seen my tanks ??? All planted, and they dont mess with them at all. Ive seen the same info and its not nec true.They end up eating whatever the rest of the fish eat, pellets, krill, even small feeders. Never plants.

ooo
nice
allright then


Ill look into some when i get more money and after i get my sump up and running

 

[davo]

In your tank, i'd suggest not to overfeed, use a syphon to pick out odd bits of food, and do more frequent water changes and let less light hit the tank. And invest in a good algae scraper.