Question about water quality specifically for BN Pleco

HI everyone! First time posting here!

BN Plecos are my favorite fish! I'm just now restarting my tanks after having baby number 2. We have really hard water and need our softener replaced. So, my question is this: What is the maximum GH that they can tolerate? I would like to start breeding them sometime later this year when things are established better. This https://www.fishlore.com/profile-bristlenose-pleco.htm says up to 20. I've read differently elsewhere. What's best for breeding?

Thanks!
Christina

 

HI and welcome to the forum and glad you joined us. My three BNs are my favorite of all my fish. I have A male albino BN named Lucky, A blue eye yellow ancistrus female named Bella. And A female L144 blue eyed lemon BN named Buttercup. I can't answer your question about the water but most fish can adapt. You could always use a mix of RO water and your tap water? Alison

 

Hi, thanks for the response! That's my plan for the moment!
I <3 plecos!

 

I am too old to deal with babies so my two girls are in one tank and my male in another. What color are you planning on? Long finned or short finned? Alison

 

I'd love some long finned brown ones, but can't find them locally. Another local bn guy just drove to Miami to look for them and couldn't find them. I'm going to see what else he has today. He said he has albinos, greys, and blacks. I might have to have the ones I want shipped. That makes me nervous though.

 

All three of mine were shipped to me. I bought Buttercup from a member of another forum, Lucky from Imperial Tropicals in Fla, And Bella from Ebay from a gentleman in Louisiana that raises them. They are pretty tough hardy fish. Alison

 

So, I ended up getting a chocolate and an albino! I'll see if I can get some pictures later tonight.

 

Oh congrats, nice choice. Looking forward to pictures. Alison