Do I really need to feed them

[pred1tor83]

Hi all, I have a 30long tank and I purchased two plecos to control algae. Both are about 5 inches. Do I need to go out and buy some algae pellets???

Other tank mates include

Pom-Pom knife – About 8 Inches long
Red Tail shark – About 6 inches long
One other shark- About 4 inches long


I am going to be adding 7 Silver barbs to this tank, I have them in quarantine because I just bought them.

Each is under 4 inches.


This is about pushing my max for water. So I am going to be moving the PomPom to a 10 gallon with one pleco. This will be a good set up right???!!

I am going to buy 4 more sharks but that will be it for the 30long. Any thoughts?

 

[val]

I don't think you're pushing the maximum load, you're exceeding it. That many fish is going to be a problem. The rule is 1 inch of fish per gallon. Even the 10 gallon is going to be pushing it. To answer your first question, yes you do need to feed them algae pellets. They also love zucchini or cucumber.
I would say that you reconsider any more fish until you can give them adequate living space. Or else the poo is really going to hit the fan.


Valerie

 

[cryosi]

yes you still need to feed, that's wh you get algae wafers for plecs! and other food for other fish, just because some fish eat algae does not mean dont feed them, like scavengers they scavenge but you still feed them! and those fish seem a lot for that tank of yours think it overloaded mate!

 

[pred1tor83]

I don't think you're pushing the maximum load, you're exceeding it. That many fish is going to be a problem. The rule is 1 inch of fish per gallon. Even the 10 gallon is going to be pushing it. To answer your first question, yes you do need to feed them algae pellets. They also love zucchini or cucumber.
I would say that you reconsider any more fish until you can give them adequate living space. Or else the poo is really going to hit the fan.


Valerie

i know, but according to your given rule i still have 1 inche to play with, with both plecos in there !


and if you have a good filtration system(i have two installed one undergravel, one of the other filter type) you can get away with as much as 1 and a half inches per gallon! according to most of the books i have read.


Again i am just stating what i have read regarding aquariums.

 

[val]

Personally, I like to keep a little extra space for the fish and not go to the maximum because fish grow and it might get cramped when they're all grown up. But I guess do what you want to do.

Valerie

 

[CFC]

Are the fish all full grown? The 1" per gallon rule applies to the max adult size of the fish if the tank is to be their permament home so that the tank and filtration allowes for the fishes growth.
Extra filtration can help to extend stocking levels but in smaller tanks (those under 30 gallons) this should not be attempted because of space limitations and oxygen levels.

 

[cryosi]

what kinda plecs you putting in as some grow upto 24 inches+

 

[bettalover]

Right now you already have too many fish in a 30 gallon tank... sorry!!

 

[wetwetwet]

Hiya '83,

..looks like you ruffeled a few feathers there lol

I will agree with you that this 1" limit can be increased to 1.5 (2" for uk g) but only for mature aquariums (6months + old) with ecellent filtration and an extreemly diligent maintenance schedule 25%/week min.....

....but also bearing in mind what cfc says above that the expected adult size not the current size is what should be taken into account when calculating your stocking density

The 10g while fitting the stocking criteria for the knifefish (and plec) imho are really only suitable for a number of smaller fish - it won't really provide much in the way of swimming room for an 8"+ fish - as said jmho



'O' btw a varied diet for your plecs will help keep them healthy....

 

[smb]

i know, but according to your given rule i still have 1 inche to play with, with both plecos in there !

The 1" per gallon per fish rule isn't accurate, imo.

It all depends on the fish. You have to take mass and waste load into consideration also. That's what matters. Some plecostamus get huge.

10 1" neon tetras have about a tenth the wasteload of a single 10" cichlid.

You can't put a 10" cichlid into a 10g tank, but you can get away with 10 neons easily.

There is no steadfast rule but if you get into the bigger fish, I would say that 1" per 20g is more appropriate.

 

[Pleco-Heaven]

Ive heard that with pleco u can just scrape the algea off the glass at the top of the tank and just let it drop in and that'll do, Oh yeah if you have two many fish in your tank there all Gonnas, if you know what i mean.

 

[Mary52]

wow what kind of plecos is it.Some grow to about 20" the smallest about 4" and thats too big for a tank that small.Yes feed him!!!!!!! You need to do some research on the adult size of fish you plan on getting.Now you have getto conditions .....the inch per gallon only goes for small fish like guppies or neons.fish about 4" need at least a 55 gal but the large the fish the larger tank they NEED.Over population causes diseases .Please look up the fish profiles before buying. get the algae pellets and feed him 1 at night,he`ll stll keep your tank algae free,but the poor guy needs a bigger home.I have a 55 gal and am giving away a clownloache and 2 plecos and they`re still babies.I love my fish but it`s cruel to keep them in a tank not suitable.