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I'm thinking of setting up a 40 gallon pleco tank in a couple months--I would rather it be larger but due to limited space a 40 breeder would have to do. Just some questions...

What filter? I was thinking an Emperor 400 since I have a few of these filters already and they work great, but I'd be willing to try a canister filter too (I'm very familiar with how much plecos poop! )

What do you think the stocking limit would be? So far, plecos that would go in there include two 2" rubberlips, a 4" Ancistrus punctatus, a 2" albino G. gibbiceps, a 7" albino L. pardalis, a 2" Panaquolus maccus, and a 2" G. scrophus.

What kind of substrate would be best? I like sand personally but the plecos might kick up a lot of it, which in turn will get sucked into the filter.

I think thats all for now but I'd like to see pics of other peoples pleco-only tanks if anyone has some

Hello,

I hate to rain on anybodys parade, but your current stocking list will probably push the tanks capacity in a very short time frame. Just the pardalis and gibby alone could outgrow the tank within a year.

Sorry for the bad news,
Larry Vires

Hi!

Yeap those monsters are really not recommanded for such a small tank...
I would drop both Glyptoperichthys and the Liposarcus...
Rubbernose: be carefull Chaetostoma prefer rather cooler water than the others
With P. maccus you will need to put wood inthe tank!

If you want something close to sand you can put instead very small gravel, less than 1mm diameters
Cheers
Yann

Thanks for the answers....I agree the Liposarcus and gibby will become monsters down the road; that will by no means be their permanent home, just a temporary one. Wood I have covered....the temperature I was not aware of although I do know they like fast moving water so I will set up a powerhead or two.

Thanks for the advice....also, is there a 'breeder' tank larger than a 40 gallon out there?