Cleanup crew for a Royal L27

[newkie]

Well, I am the new proud owner of a 5" Royal, and my question is: I knew that they ate a lot of wood, and made a major mess, but is there an easier way of dealing with this without having to vacuumn (water changes) the tank multiple times a week. If I was to keep up with this pleco and vacuumn the tank every day, I think I would still not be able to keep the tank as clean as it should be.
I have a 75 gallon with a 6" Green Terror, 5" Chocolate Cichlid and a 5" stripe Raphael in it. Will the bio be a problem with this added fish and his constant mess?
I love this fish, so if it just takes cleaning the tank (water changes) twice a week instead of once, I will be fine, but the brown bricks being left all over are not the best thing to be looking at in a show tank. Is there a diet that could help to keep him from eating so much of the driftwood, or are those the breaks when owning this beautiful fish?

Thanks in advance

Art

[newkie]

Maybe I should have just asked for experiences with this species instead. Anyways, any info on how to care for the L27 would be appreciated. Great looking, isnt shy, and makes a ton of brickets...

Thanks

Art

[matthewfaulkner]

You will always be the best thing to keep the tank clean, but you can make it a little easier. You could try rearranging the outlet(s) from your filter(s), or add an extra filter/powerhead, so that the flow pushes the poo to one side/corner of the tank. This way you can concentrate the waste in one area for faster and easier siphoning. Although I've always used bare bottom tanks which makes this easier, substrates may make this less effective.

Do you know which specific Royal Panaque you have? There are several species and varieties that all look quite similar.

[newkie]

I will post a photo when I can, but I believe its a L27a

Thanks

Art

P.S. He is olive color, red eyes, and has a black band on his lyrtail. Like I said, I will try to post a photo to get a exact ID.

[David R]

They certainly are messy little things!! When I added an 8cm L190 to my 400L tank I increased the flow through my sump and have put a net (just an every day fish-catching net with the fine white mesh) under the spraybar to catch the bulk of the sawdust and other large bits, and I empty it daily to keep the filter wool from clogging up.

More current to keep the waste suspended and good mechanical filtration is the only alternative to regular siphoning.

[newkie]

Well, I have stayed on top of the water changes, and it hasnt been as big a deal as I was thinking. Yes, bricks everywhere, but not to the point it takes away from the appearance of the tank.
Also, although off subject. He seems to have some torn tail fins, and all I have is a 6" Green Terror, which I can't imagine being able to bite small enough to fray the fins? (big mouth)
A 4.5"-5" Striped Raphael, and a 5" Chocolate Cichlid also share the tank. The CC is shy, but maybe at night when the pleco is patroling the tank, he gets nipped at by a woken up and grumpy Chocolate?

Just a thought, but I will keep an eye on the situation. This pleco is too nice looking for me to allow this to continue. Love this fish!

Thanks

Art