Tank Size Ok For Bristlenose?

[Smurf]

I know, I know, there's probably an answer to this somewhere in the forum but its HUGE, and my initial search didn't really help.

I saw some of these little guys at my local fish shop at the weekend and asked about purchasing one (I have lots and LOTS of algae for it to munch on....as an aside, would putting real plants in the tank rather than plastic help here?) but was told they grow 12inches plus. HOWEVER... looking online this morning, it seems that they're more like 4-5 inches, which is a bit different... could the shop assistant be lumping all plecs together as "large" do you think? The ones for sale were about an inch long and very pale cream; the ones 'on show' were about 3 inches long and bright yellow with definite tufts. They were advertised as L144 (shop assistant claimed this meant they grew to an average of 14.4".....)

I have a 38 litre tank (sizewise this is about 18" x 12" x 15")

Would this be sufficient? Would it be OK on its own?

Current occupants 1 female black molly & 2 red platies

TIA

Daisy

 

[Corleone]

The store owner's probably lumping all plecs together. Bristlenose only get 4-5 inche, and one should be fine in that tank, since it's a bit over 20 gallons.

 

[bordercollie05]

I think 38L=10 gallons....

 

[snowflake311]

I think 38L=10 gallons....

Yes 38 L = only 10 Gal. That is too small for a full grown BN. They really need a 30 Gal tank. Why do so many people get these tiny little tanks and stuff them with fish. I have a 36 Gal tank and I think it is too small.

Get a larger tank. I know they are more expense. Look for some used ones in the paper or www.Craigslist.com (if you live in the US). Larger tanks are way more fun and easier to take care of in the long run. You also get to have more option when it comes to stocking with a larger tank.

Yes they are fine as only fish. They don't need friends and the males get aggressive over territory.

 

[Smurf]

Thanks everyone - sounds like my existing tank is probably too small (I thought that would be the case) so for now I'll live without the BN and pick something else to hoover up the excess algae. I know a larger tank would be easier to run long-term but right now I don't have the space.

Daisy

 

[snowflake311]

Thanks everyone - sounds like my existing tank is probably too small (I thought that would be the case) so for now I'll live without the BN and pick something else to hoover up the excess algae. I know a larger tank would be easier to run long-term but right now I don't have the space.

Daisy

Otos are ok at cleaning but can be very fragile and don't last long due to a very stressful capture from the wild. I had 6 now I have only 1. I seems to lose one every month. But this one little guy is doing awesome he is the little trooper, He kind of is a slacker when it comes to eating algae but had learned that left overs are great. So he is my tiny clean up guy. I have had him for 9 months now. They should be in groups of 2 or more. Mine is all alone because I am scared to get more because I had such bad luck. But you could give them a try.

Also the Pit Bull pleco. Only gets 2 inches and is a great little cleaner. They are hard to find I saw one at my LFS and said Oh i will come back and get him tomorrow. Well I was too late some one beat me too it. I have never seen another since I even asked them to get some for me. They never did. If you can find those guys they would be great for your tank. They also do well in groups of 2 or more and are so cute.

I say give the otos a try but don't beat yourself up if you loose some. They are fragile fish. If you can find the pitbull pleco get them.

 

[Syphoniera]

If you can't find a Pit Bull plec and maybe aren't too sure about potentially delicate otos, have you considered snails?
Nerites are beautiful and great little algae eaters, if you don't mind the eggs stuck all over the tank, and a lot of people swear by Mystery Snails, which are pretty cool.
But I think the population issues associated with 'pest' type snails has created prejudice, and many times people don't consider even the algae-eating ornamental varieties, although a ten gallon is really the smallest reasonable size in which to have the larger snails, and is small enough to severely limit fish choice.


Real plants should help out-compete algae, as long as they're healthy and form a significant mass, and will also help to provide a healthier environment for your fish.
Another thing I'd like to point out (that I only recently learnt) is that nitrifying bacteria apparently don't grow well on plastic, although they do, of course, on live plants.
In certain important ways, the tank needs to function as far as possible as a whole little ecosystem

http/www.novalek.com/kordon/articles/bio..._filtration.htm

... These nitrifying bacteria in biological filtration and the aquatic nitrogen cycle are in the beneficial gram positive group of bacteria, and their presence is important to aquarium and pond keeping. These bacteria are harmless to the aquarium inhabitants, as well as to man, pets, and other life, and do not cause any disease problems. They like to stick to positively charged surfaces, such as glass, gravel, and other substrates, filter materials such as filter pads, activated carbon, ceramic Raschig rings (see Kordon Bio-Mech) and glass decorations. They do not thrive on plastic, such as used in filter balls, or on the walls of plastic aquariums, or on plastic decorations. In fact, for those aquarists wanting for some reason to keep these bacteria low in number, they only need to be sure that as much as possible everything in their aquarium is plastic. ...

And, in case you're interested:

http/www.aquabotanic.com/plants_and_biol..._filtration.htm


None of this may be of any interest/use to you, but I thought I'd put it up in case.

 

[Smurf]

"nitrifying bacteria apparently don't grow well on plastic"

interesting - never considered this.... cheers!

 

[ALW]

I have a 38 litre tank (sizewise this is about 18" x 12" x 15")

Would this be sufficient? Would it be OK on its own?

Those diemensions = 52L, 12UKG, 14USG

I think you maybe able to get away with a single Bristlenose or Rubbernose. If you get one just remember to supplement the diet with fresh veg.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

They were advertised as L144 (shop assistant claimed this meant they grew to an average of 14.4".....)

wow that is a new one on me!!!!!

i would make a note never to trust a word from that shop assistant again, they clearly know absolutely diddly squat about fish.

 

[ALW]

They were advertised as L144 (shop assistant claimed this meant they grew to an average of 14.4".....)

wow that is a new one on me!!!!!

i would make a note never to trust a word from that shop assistant again, they clearly know absolutely diddly squat about fish.

must have missed that bit!

 

[Arimus]

Well that's one explanation for the L numbers which has passed me by... so by that reason then an L001 should be about 0.1"

Think someone needs a whack over the head with a clueby4...

Though it did make me chuckle.

 

[Truck]

10 gallons

 

[chesterscot]

lmao at the L numbering theory
scot