Help with Zebra Plecs

[rvm]

I have an opportunity to get some zebra plecs. I have wanted some for ages, but can never find any anywhere.
I will get a new tank and keep them on there own in there (maybe a couple of ottos for algae cleaning duties) as I'd like to have a go at breeding them. If they breed, great. If not then thats fine, but does anyone have any advice, suggestions etc for breeding them?
My plan is a 2ft tank (about 20g) with 4 or 5 (eventually, I can't afford to get them all at once!) in there, what set up will suit them best. I know I need to provide a current, and plenty of rocks and caves, but anything else I should know?
Also I have hard alkaline water from my tap, so would RO water be worth investing in, if so, how do I go about altering the Ph, etc as I've never used RO before.
Sorry for all the questions, but I'd like to have a go at least. If they don't breed, then I'll still be happy to just have them on their own, but it'd be great to be able to breed them!!

 

[CFC]

For breeding success you would be best to go with R/O water which has a ideal pH of 7 (nuetral) and can be altered to the perfect hardness easily (a hardness of around 5-7GH should be ideal) using reclaim chemistry minerals bought from the LFS, i use KENT R/O right and KENT pH stable.
Another important aspect is the size of the caves, they should be just large enough for the male to enter and block the access completely with his body, caves that are too large will be rejected.
A 2 foot tank is just a little on the small side, unless space is a issue i would go with at least a 30" tank and prefferably a 36".

 

[lighter]

You need to have caves for them. See the following articles.

http/www.plecofanatics.com/articles/hypa...ebra_pleco.html

http/www.plecofanatics.com/articles/zebra_owner.html

http/www.plecofanatics.com/articles/zebra_plecos.html

http/www.plecofanatics.com/articles/hypa...trus_zebra.html

http/www.plecofanatics.com/articles/sexi...ebra_pleco.html

 

[Cheese Specialist]

You should also have at least 2 females to every male, 3 is better.

Good luck with it, they are beautiful fish.

 

[Barbie]

Zebra plecos actually could care less what pH the water is. I've kept them happy and healthy in everything from 6.5 to 8.0, no problem. They currently are spawning in 7.8 water with a moderate TDS. They are collected from an area with extreme oxygenation due to a water fall just upstream from them, or so I've been told, and it pushes the pH higher due to the large quantity of dissolved oxygen. I also keep mine at 86 degrees. I would recommend the 20 gallon long tank, rather than high, as their territorial needs are going to be better met with more floor space, rather than just water volume.

I've been told that zebras do best in groups of 2 females and 3 males, or 8 total, or even just pairs. I think it really boils down to your preference. Make sure there is enough room for each male to claim a territory and cave of his own, or you can have pretty severe aggression issues, IME. Zebras are slow maturing, so don't get impatient. It can take them up to 3 years from hatching to be ready to spawn. They LOOK adult sized, but they just can't get it all figured out.

Larger tanks, minimal decor other than caves and a suitable log for the females to hide under, heavy circulation and maximum aeration, with a diet rich in protein are all the doctor ordered. Eventually they'll get frisky! Maybe they'll do what mine did, and wait til I gave up and decided to give them some time off before I tried a new strategy

Barbie

 

[rvm]

cool. thanks for all your help.
As far as the tank size is concerned, the space I have for a tank is only going to allow a 2ft tank. I have an opportunity to get a juwel tank that is quite high, but it is also quite deep, so it provides more surface area than my standard 2ft tank. it is a 26g tank that is 2ft long, and 1 1/2 ft wide, so it provides 3 sq. feet of surface area!
Over time I will try and build up to 2 males and 3 females, this tank should be ok for that yes?
One final question, and I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but what happens with the fry? do they need to be separated to a fry tank, or will they be ok with the adults?