Pleco woes

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K

Kawi

Feeder Fish
Aug 16, 2009
3
0
0
NJ, USA
Just like a lot of beginner fish keepers, I've made my share of mistakes. My main problem is I took the lfs word as truth that a chocolate pleco wouldn't grow over 7". I bought him at around 1/2" and now see how laughable that statement was.

Needless to say, I've become a big pleco fan and he's the primary fish in my tank. He's quickly growing beyond the tank capacity. I have a 55g in storage, but no room to set it up nor the floor to support the filled weight. I was scheduled to move to a new place this summer but the deal fell through. Now it is looking like moving may be postponed until 2010 or 2011.

It would probably be better for him to be given to someone with more room. How long can I hold out even with religious water changes? I've already discussed trading him in to a differnt lfs that has an abundance of 55g selling tanks. I'm more worried about his condition than store credit.

he's probably between 8-10"
full tank shot:
002-8.jpg

001-10.jpg
 
What size tank is that? What is your filtration? What is your water change schedule? I see you have some test kits. I would say keep checking your parameters on a regular basis and decide what you should do from what the test kit tells you each week. I am guessing that the tank pictured is a 30 long. Do you really think your floor is too weak to handle about another 250 pounds of weight for the 55 gallon tank? Better to be safe than sorry, but thought it was worth asking. Nice set-up BTW.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Tank is a 30 long, filter is an emperor 280 hob bio wheel. 20-30% water change once a week. Nitrates are higher than I'd like but he is a mini poo factory. The room is built over the old front porch foundations, so I'm not risking it.

Thanks for the reassurance wingate, I'll have to decide before end of year since he's still growing. If only he'd start growing rounder than longer :grinno:
 
I've got a 55 g, a 65 g and a 47 g upstairs. Don't underestimate your floor strength. A 55 g isn't all that much more than a 30 g.
 
I agree with Twisted. I have a 55 upstairs. Our house was built in the 50's. It's never come through the ceiling, and it's been up there quite a while. I'd say if a 30 long works, a 55 would. Of course, it's up to you, but I'd do whatever I had to if it meant keeping my fish!!!!
 
i coff at ur 55 going upstairs being a problem... my cousin has a 125 upstairs running parallel to the floorboards... been like that with no problems for around 3 years now...
 
Think of it this way. would you let a really fat guy walk up to your tank to look at it? If so you're good to upgrade.
 
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