jayfl234

Are plecos big waste producers?

Gunnie

Very big waste producers. I think it also depends on what you are feeding them. Mine poop a lot more when they are fed fresh veggies.

tan.b

yep, mine poo continously too! they are fun and hardworking though so wouldnt ever consider being without a pleco!
why do you ask jayfl234?

jayfl234

I want to put on in my tank would you recommand it be the first fish i put in my cycled tank? if i do weekly water changes at 25% would that be acceptable for this fish since it is such a big waste producer?

tan.b

i would put something like danios or cherry barbs in first. once tank more established in a few more weeks then add the pleco. 25% a week is fine. i do about 20% for 3 weeks then on the 4th week do a 50%. just cos nitrates start creeping up by then!
good luck! i assume by the tank size you're getting a bristlenose pleco. the common plecos get HUGE!

jayfl234

Yup they stay small so that will be my best option. I have my my mollies and swordtails from my ten gallon that i will put in first and then i will put my BN pleco in after a couple of weeks.

tan.b

excellent plan !! i have bristlenoses! they are fab fish! and great at hide and seek! my 8cm bn hid all day today and reappeared an hour ago. i have no idea where she goes!! she does it to scare me i think! how can i not find a fat 8cm fish? who knows?! she wins every time!!
tan

Tom

I would personally wait about a month or so until algae starts showing up since oyu don't want your new friend to starve.
Tom

tan.b

yeah plenty of algae wafers to give the pleco something to eat and divert his attention from the algae thus giving the algae chance to get established. without the algae your new friend will get bored! they love to clean!

jayfl234

Cool i will keep that in mind and wait a while before i get the little guy

tan.b