Will Royal Plecos actually clean my tank of algae?

[dbcb314]

Quick first things so people dont ask:

1. yes I have driftwood in the tank for it

2. yes I will supply additional algae wafers


But, I have a tank with Bichirs so I have been hesitant to get a pleco. But, supposively royals leave them alone and I can actually find them locally so I thought about getting one because I am sick of scrubbing algae.

But do they actually eat algae off the fake plants and glass? or will they just cause me to do even more water changes for no reason lol

may seem like an odd question, but I have had some plecos bac in the day (common) that would just stop eating algae after awhile. pissed me off haha

 

[johnptc]

ime they dont eat much algae

 

[oscar...]

Dont buy them as an algae control device, they do eat it but they will find food scraps easier and more tasty

 

[WyldFya]

Quick first things so people dont ask:

1. yes I have driftwood in the tank for it

2. yes I will supply additional algae wafers


But, I have a tank with Bichirs so I have been hesitant to get a pleco. But, supposively royals leave them alone and I can actually find them locally so I thought about getting one because I am sick of scrubbing algae.

But do they actually eat algae off the fake plants and glass? or will they just cause me to do even more water changes for no reason lol

may seem like an odd question, but I have had some plecos bac in the day (common) that would just stop eating algae after awhile. pissed me off haha

Being that common plecos generally are carnivorous as adults, that isn't surprising. Avoid the royal unless you are getting it for it's looks.

 

[dbcb314]

Thanks for saving me 30 bucks !

back to the algae scrubber!

 

[davo]

Plecos aren't algae removal men, that is what you are for. Less nitrates, less light. Buy a pleco if you want a pleco.

 

[WyldFya]

Plecos aren't algae removal men, that is what you are for. Less nitrates, less light. Buy a pleco if you want a pleco.

If you want something to clean off the algae for you, a young son or daughter works wonders. That, and they don't add to the bio-load... well sometimes.

 

[davo]

If you want something to clean off the algae for you, a young son or daughter works wonders. That, and they don't add to the bio-load... well sometimes.

Always amused me how people think putting in a fish reknowned for it's bioload increasing ability will help to get rid of algae.

 

[Midknight]

True; and most large plecos can't even be considered herbivores. They do eat algae, as well as plant detritus and pieces of driftwood, but they're scavengers through and through. They'd just as soon eat a worm, shrimp, or tiny fish as they would a zuccini. They're just not as specialized as the aquarium hobby has made them out to be.

 

[WyldFya]

Always amused me how people think putting in a fish reknowned for it's bioload increasing ability will help to get rid of algae.

No kidding, but at least my son usually doesn't add to the bio load...