pleccos and sand

[trudidan]

i've recently lost two pleccos and a polypterus in an otherwise healthy tank. i thought they weren't getting enough food or that something in the sand was killing them since i've recently replaced the stones with sand. should i change back to stones?

 

[Rawimpact]

many people keep their pleco in sand. I'm not familiar with pleco's at all, but you should post the water chemistry so members can better assist you.

 

[toehead11183]

my pleco loves the sand. It wiggles back in forth trying to bury itself

 

[Bethany]

my boyfriend's pleco is in a sand tank, and my poly is in sand.

how new was the other decor in the tank? the rocks might have had a majority of the good bacteria, and the sand switch may have been too quick...

sorry for your losses =[

 

[qwesty]

Every pleco I've had has been in a tank with sand. Never had any issues........except them pooping alot

 

[Pharaoh]

My plecs love the sand. I would agree that you might give us your water parameters. That might give us a better clue as to what is going on.

 

[Ransom]

i didnt think you could kill plecos
all ones i have had, had all been on sand , pebbles or clear,

i currently have 1 in a sand tank and 1 in a coldwater tank with a clear bottom just some bogwood in there and yes he's been without heating for about 5months now and he's perfectly fine and puting weight on

 

[Frostyone]

Never had any issues........except them pooping alot

Yea, that's the biggest problem IMO. I had a sailfin in my planted sand bottom tank (light tan sand at that) I had to clean the bottom every 2-3 days because of the mounds of pleo poo! And the pleco was only 3.5"! Imagine a 10"+ one

 

[BIGMONSTER]

i didnt think you could kill plecos

LOL
Yeah ive had most of my Plecs on Sand an theyve done fine maybe it was as previously posted that the change was to quick for them and the bacteria didnt cultivate fast enough

 

[benzjamin13]

I haven't had any issues with sand and plecos, but I've heard that sometimes there are deadly gases trapped underneath sand because it's so compact, that it never releases itself. Maybe stir around the sand to release those gases and try again.