Welcome Everyone

[acroholic]

Hi Guys,
This SIG subforum is brand new, and we are going into a 90 day trial to see how a freshwater forum would work on the ARC. I originated this idea because I have freshwater tanks as well as reef tanks, as do many other ARC Members. After 90 days, the BoD will review the forum and see how it is going. I am taking personal charge of this forum since it was my big idea! So I'd like to invite everyone to participate.
Dave

 

[drnecropolis]

Thanks again for everything Discus Dave!! LoL.. Yup, I still remember that name..

 

[raz0945]

Hi Dave!
I have a question about my plecostomuses, they are about 14" long, will they out grow a 55g tank? I feed them algae disc about 3 times a week and my neons every night. When I bought them they said they would only get to 6". Suprise Suprise! We love them! They are like huge prehistoric fish. How long will they live? I was told they may out live us. Thanks, Holley

 

[glxtrix]

I've seen plecos at 24" in length. They will definitely outgrow a 55g tank. What makes it hard for them is turning around in the tank. They are great to have for sure....they need to make those SW compatible, lol.

 

[hn1]

Thanks for the work Dave! Thanks to the BOD as well for being open to the idea.


Raz- They have already basically outgrown a 55 at 14 inches. They are great fish, but the larger varieties really should not be sold IMO.

 

[barneyrubble]

They are a great algae control (but watch out if you have any amazon swords, they LOVE to suck them dry if you don't have much algae). Some stores will take them, even at that size, especially pond stores. Then you can get a few smaller ones and start over. But yes, they have definitely outgrown a 55.

 

[raz0945]

I wish I could turn them to saltwater fish! I hate to take them to a LSF-I wouldn't know if they got a good home. So I guess they will stay with me for a while longer, I know there has to be a deep fish pond in our backyard in the near future:lol2:

 

[johnr2604]

barneyrubble;513248 wrote: They are a great algae control (but watch out if you have any amazon swords, they LOVE to suck them dry if you don't have much algae). Some stores will take them, even at that size, especially pond stores. Then you can get a few smaller ones and start over. But yes, they have definitely outgrown a 55.

That is true, A lot of people use them in ponds to control algea.

 

[llewella]

I used to see HUGE plecos in the canals in FL. There was once canal right behind the hospital that had some that must have been 3 feet long!

 

[acroholic]

Your plecs are definitely too big for your 55 gallon. I'd see about trading them for some babies.

There is a type called dwarf bristlenose plecostomus that only get about 5 inches long, and actually come in long fin and albino morphs. That is what I have in my 265 gallon FW community tank. If you have plants and lots of wood they will reproduce. I've had them do it before.

Here is link for a nice page with pics of a variety of dwarf plecosotmus. A window to install a language pack will come up. Click "cancel" and it comes up in english.:

 

[acroholic]

blu_devl_06;513280 wrote: In the smaller tanks try the otocinclus, they only get a few inches long and are great CUC for FW....

Otocinclus are great for planted tanks, albeit a bit sensitive when first introduced, at least IME.

 

[llewella]

Speaking of plecos, someone just posted on one of the yahoo groups I am on and are giving away a large one. Here is the ad.

I have a Plocostomus to give away. It is about 8-10 inches long. Needs to be in at least a 55 gal aquarium. Will keep your tank super clean. Please call 770-328-7823......no reply emails pls

That is all I know other than the fact that they are in Coweta Co. Just thought I would post it here if anyone is interested.

 

[raz0945]

Thanks everyone for the info-I guess I better start digging that hole in the backyard:unsure:

 

[cr500_af]

I'd also like to thank Dave for giving me an excellent amount of advice on taking my daughter's tank from FW to planted FW. I haven't done anything yet, because she is expressing a desire to go SW with her tank, so I'm going to wait until she makes a choice. If I go planted with it, I have a PM saved full of great info.

 

[ralph atl]

I think this a just a great idea! Congrats! btw, I have no freshwater experience, however, my brother has a small pond in the front of his yard. I'll have to turn him on to this, if that's included?

 

[acroholic]

mysterybox;513413 wrote: I think this a just a great idea! Congrats! btw, I have no freshwater experience, however, my brother has a small pond in the front of his yard. I'll have to turn him on to this, if that's included?

Fine by me.....Maybe John will become our resident pond expert...not my area.

 

[raisedonnintendo]

Ok I have a 4-yeAr old male red zebra. He's my breading male very much so that I gotta let him go. Also a large sydontis catfish I'm gonna say 5-6 inches, large Pictus cat. And a male 4star general I do believe also large that 6inch range ,male A south american cichlid they r all n water for Africans and have been doing well for at least 2-4 years willing to sell cheap all worth well over 50$ at pet store short of the pictus. Willing to sell them cheap best offer. Also have convicts for free male or female just let me know. I don't see a special area yet for giving away n selling fw fish yet so I figure it will be ok till then

 

[raisedonnintendo]

glxtrix;513174 wrote: I've seen plecos at 24" in length. They will definitely outgrow a 55g tank. What makes it hard for them is turning around in the tank. They are great to have for sure....they need to make those SW compatible, lol.

But about half the species won't get that big n a 55g like the zebras

 

[raisedonnintendo]

Here is a small list of Pleco u can put into a tankk 55 or smaller 4 ever. Mind u these r only the ones I've sold n owned not a complete list if u would like to know more please ask. N e ways these r my favs. Gold nugget pleco grows 8-10 inch,peppermints are very colorful n mine hasn't gotten bigger then 7inches, flat head gold spots about 6 inches,medusa look wicked n also stay round that six inch mark, n tigger pleco my hasn't gotten over 5 inches n 8 years

 

[hhughes]

I love pl*cos, I had one once that would eat out of my hand, even though he had to swim upside down to do it . But they need to get some dwarf varieties available because OMG they get huge.

I have some albino bristlenose ones in my planted tank. They prefer to munch the driftwood rather than the plants, and along with my otos they do keep the glass pretty nice and clean.

There are some stores that will take them as trade-ins, also some people actively look for big ones because they have large SA cichlids that would eat the little ones.