I have had my pleco for about 6 years, upgrading from time to time. I recently lost my Honduran red point cichlid who was his tank mate for 6 years and now just want to make my pleco happy. My question to you is what are your ideas on the best setup for my pleco? (Best diet, substrate, deco/hideouts, tank temp, Ph etc.) Right now I have a 30 gallon tank 30 inches long, 18 inches tall. (Is an upgrade necessary?) I give him omega one veggie flakes, with a bit of tropical flake (submerged.) The temp is currently 80 degrees. I have gravel as my substrate, a pump with a bar air stone (about 4 inches long) heater and aqua clear filter)
I've read that I can give him fresh foods such as zucchini and lettuce as well as peas so I will start to do this. Should he have fresh food everyday? Also I've learned I should give him driftwood. I work at a pet store which sells driftwood, but the last thing I want to do is to contaminate my tank. Is there a place anyone knows of to get some good quality driftwood? I know that plecos like the dark but should I turn off the light completely? Or should I keep it like I have (approx. 12 hours light 12 hours dark)?
This might sound silly, but can he get lonely? His tank mate wasn't very nice to him (she was territorial) and I have read on this forum that plecos can also be Territorial. Mine was never aggressive to my red point who was a lot smaller than him, he pretty much would just hide out from her in his castle ornament.
On a different note, my Ph from my tap is very low, (comes out of the faucet 6.0). I really don't like to add chemicals to my tank unless absolutely necessary, what's the best way to raise it?
I've read that I can give him fresh foods such as zucchini and lettuce as well as peas so I will start to do this. Should he have fresh food everyday? Also I've learned I should give him driftwood. I work at a pet store which sells driftwood, but the last thing I want to do is to contaminate my tank. Is there a place anyone knows of to get some good quality driftwood? I know that plecos like the dark but should I turn off the light completely? Or should I keep it like I have (approx. 12 hours light 12 hours dark)?
This might sound silly, but can he get lonely? His tank mate wasn't very nice to him (she was territorial) and I have read on this forum that plecos can also be Territorial. Mine was never aggressive to my red point who was a lot smaller than him, he pretty much would just hide out from her in his castle ornament.
On a different note, my Ph from my tap is very low, (comes out of the faucet 6.0). I really don't like to add chemicals to my tank unless absolutely necessary, what's the best way to raise it?