New to site and pleco's need advice on adding one
Posted: 08 Feb 2017, 21:14
Hello,
I am new to this site more importantly pleco's I have never owned them.I have experience with African cichlids and now barbs and tetras but not plecos.The reason for my post is I am looking to possibly add A pleco to my tank this is the info on my tank.I am hoping I am posting in the right spot I did not see A general discussion forum unless I overlooked it.
Time established:Going on over A year
Fish: (14) Diamond tetras 2-3" (12) black ruby barbs 2-3" (1) Rainbow Shark new addition 1 1/2" -2"
Tank : 65 gallon 3 foot version Glass versatop
Filter: Aquatop CF400UV
Substrate: Black river sand
Lighting: current sat plus pro
Heater: Yes tank sits about 75 degrees consistently
PH: consistently 7.2
Plants : Live any many,about 40%-45% of tank consisting of watersprites,amazon swords,(1) large crypt (1) very tall rotella added one small cave when adding the rainbow shark I had this when I kept africans the barbs did not bother with it but added it in when I got the shark and he has already begun hanging out in it.
I was on fishlore and basically my question there was about adding fish,I was asking about if more fish can be added to what I already have and most of the resposes back were to either add pleco's or Corys.I thought about cory's but really don't know how they will fair in my tank for two reasons
1) once the shark gets bigger I am afraid he will harass the cory's too much
2) the two groups of fish I have in the mid to upper levels are voracious eaters hardly any food ever reaches the bottom and the little that does reach the bottom it is quickly gobbled up by the ruby's so I am afraid cory's would not get much to eat.
So in the post I wrote on Fishlore alot of people suggested A Pleco as not that adding fish to the upper level was totally out but with A tank of two shoaling fish it would be difficult to add A third without overstocking A bit.
I honestly never thought about A pleco until it was mentioned fearing once the rainbow shark matured it would be in direct conflict with A pleco being so territorial but like many have mentioned over there A pleco would be in no danger because of its armor plating.
So here I am this website was suggested by someone over there if I was interested in learning more about plecos and what would fit what I am looking for.so I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction and give me some info.this is some things I am looking for in A pleco
1) can more than one be added one is fine just curious if they are like sharks and if two occupy the same tank will they fight
2) which pleco's can be put in with A rainbow shark taking into consideration the sharks adult size
3) A pleco that fits my tank criteria
4) I am looking for A pleco thats not going to break the bank high end may 30$ U.S
5) something that will stay around 6"-7" or smaller
6) something unique with some colors or pattern eX:gold nugget or zebra just throwing out suggestions these may not fit my tank parameters
7) I know most pleco's are nocturnal and hide when the lights are on some you don't ever see ex:bumblebee you never see I am told but I am looking for one that is not completely shy.I have A very active tank with my other fish so I would like to see my pleco out and about once in awhile
algae in my tank is not a major problem as my plants help to keep it under control but I do get some build up here and there is there one that better for eating algae than any others
9)lastly I've heard alot of people use driftwood for their plecos,I would rather not add anything to my water that is going to change its chemistry I have some ceramic logs and caves that I used when I had my africans my tetras & barbs don't use them so I took them out but would these be good homes for A pleco(s)
I know I have thrown alot of questions on this post but like I said I have absolutely no experience or knowledge about pleco's so I am hoping you can send some advice and ideas my way.
I think I covered everything you may need to know about my tank if you need more info please let m eknow.
Thank-you
I am new to this site more importantly pleco's I have never owned them.I have experience with African cichlids and now barbs and tetras but not plecos.The reason for my post is I am looking to possibly add A pleco to my tank this is the info on my tank.I am hoping I am posting in the right spot I did not see A general discussion forum unless I overlooked it.
Time established:Going on over A year
Fish: (14) Diamond tetras 2-3" (12) black ruby barbs 2-3" (1) Rainbow Shark new addition 1 1/2" -2"
Tank : 65 gallon 3 foot version Glass versatop
Filter: Aquatop CF400UV
Substrate: Black river sand
Lighting: current sat plus pro
Heater: Yes tank sits about 75 degrees consistently
PH: consistently 7.2
Plants : Live any many,about 40%-45% of tank consisting of watersprites,amazon swords,(1) large crypt (1) very tall rotella added one small cave when adding the rainbow shark I had this when I kept africans the barbs did not bother with it but added it in when I got the shark and he has already begun hanging out in it.
I was on fishlore and basically my question there was about adding fish,I was asking about if more fish can be added to what I already have and most of the resposes back were to either add pleco's or Corys.I thought about cory's but really don't know how they will fair in my tank for two reasons
1) once the shark gets bigger I am afraid he will harass the cory's too much
2) the two groups of fish I have in the mid to upper levels are voracious eaters hardly any food ever reaches the bottom and the little that does reach the bottom it is quickly gobbled up by the ruby's so I am afraid cory's would not get much to eat.
So in the post I wrote on Fishlore alot of people suggested A Pleco as not that adding fish to the upper level was totally out but with A tank of two shoaling fish it would be difficult to add A third without overstocking A bit.
I honestly never thought about A pleco until it was mentioned fearing once the rainbow shark matured it would be in direct conflict with A pleco being so territorial but like many have mentioned over there A pleco would be in no danger because of its armor plating.
So here I am this website was suggested by someone over there if I was interested in learning more about plecos and what would fit what I am looking for.so I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction and give me some info.this is some things I am looking for in A pleco
1) can more than one be added one is fine just curious if they are like sharks and if two occupy the same tank will they fight
2) which pleco's can be put in with A rainbow shark taking into consideration the sharks adult size
3) A pleco that fits my tank criteria
4) I am looking for A pleco thats not going to break the bank high end may 30$ U.S
5) something that will stay around 6"-7" or smaller
6) something unique with some colors or pattern eX:gold nugget or zebra just throwing out suggestions these may not fit my tank parameters
7) I know most pleco's are nocturnal and hide when the lights are on some you don't ever see ex:bumblebee you never see I am told but I am looking for one that is not completely shy.I have A very active tank with my other fish so I would like to see my pleco out and about once in awhile
algae in my tank is not a major problem as my plants help to keep it under control but I do get some build up here and there is there one that better for eating algae than any others
9)lastly I've heard alot of people use driftwood for their plecos,I would rather not add anything to my water that is going to change its chemistry I have some ceramic logs and caves that I used when I had my africans my tetras & barbs don't use them so I took them out but would these be good homes for A pleco(s)
I know I have thrown alot of questions on this post but like I said I have absolutely no experience or knowledge about pleco's so I am hoping you can send some advice and ideas my way.
I think I covered everything you may need to know about my tank if you need more info please let m eknow.
Thank-you