Pleco's?

[qvx91977]

Sorry, new to Tropical Fishing but Im very keen to buy a catfish and looking from previous posts, the Pleco is the fish to get.

I have a 125l tank (RIO 125) with sand and a few rock features in there, im keen for an algae eater and always liked catfish.

I was thinking of going for either a Clown or Bristle Nose pleco as they are meant to be good algae eaters, also howl ong do i have to keep my tank running before introducing them?? Its been running a week nearly now and im going to buy a few hard fish to start of with. I have been told 6 weeks before buying a catfish?

thanks,

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

You need to fishless cycle the tank hon. Really is easy to do. You need to use biomature or some form of pure ammonia to get the bacteria present in the system without risking the lives of your fish. Takes approx 3 weeks to complete.
There is a product that supposedly cycles your tank immediately but I forget the name of it and have yet to find any in the UK.
Bristlenose do eat algea. They are reasonably peaceful with everything too. They can get big so you wouldn't want lots!
Hugs,
P.

 

[qvx91977]

so cant I just buy some small hard fish?? surely they will do the same job but longer (6 weeks)

 

[Bloo]

so cant I just buy some small hard fish?? surely they will do the same job but longer (6 weeks)

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in short - no
When cycling with fish, your fish live in toxic water conditions. How would you fancy breathing foul and choking air for 6 weeks ? You might survive, but you might also end up with some serious respiratory problems.

Well the same goes for fish. Some make it through the process - some don't. Those that do often end up with some long term (not always noticeable at first) problems.

So, always (hands down) better to do a fishless cycle

Patience is a virtue and you and your fish will reap the rewards.

 

[qvx91977]

 

[breezer40]

There are two methods that you can use..Fishless cycling which is kinder on the fish see this thread

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365

The other is cycling with hardy fish such as Zebra Danios.

My personal opinion is fishless cycling is the way to go as even with hardy fish there are guarantees that the fish will live through it.

 

[Bloo]

My personal opinion is fishless cycling is the way to go as even with hardy fish there are guarantees that the fish will live through it.

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just checking, but you meant "aren't" - didn't you ?

 

[breezer40]

My personal opinion is fishless cycling is the way to go as even with hardy fish there are guarantees that the fish will live through it.

[snapback]921844[/snapback]​

just checking, but you meant "aren't" - didn't you ?

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My grammer is just getting worse and yes aren't is what my mind was thinking but my fingers are not under its control right now