Raven20
Members
I was reading on the internet today that you shouldn't have a pleco in an Acrylic tank? What other bottom dweller can I use that's going to do the job of a pleco without scratching my tank?
Thanks
Thanks
ddavila06
Members
snails? i wonder why, can you post where you read that...
Hawkman2000
Members
From what I have read is that only certain pleco are acrylic safe. Cant remember which ones though.
Davey_8313
Members
Just stay away from plecos that have teeth. I don't know if commons do or not though.
D-money
Members
Royals are a no-no with acrylic as are others that have teeth. A friend of mine uses common plecos in his tanks for years and has had no glass scratching issues.
Gonna bump this topic as I am currently going acrylic on two big tanks.. Just really don't know whether my bristlenose plecos should go in there as well..anyone have experiences with these? There aren't articles that are confirmed research on which plecos are OK to keep in acrylics, or if plecos in general are not supposed to be in acrylic tanks..I figured maybe experience can help..so..anyone ?
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Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
They're not huge wood-eaters like some others are, but still rasp from time to time.
Never had any acrylic tanks, so can't say for sure though.
Never had any acrylic tanks, so can't say for sure though.
Thanks for the input tony! I hope more people can share their experiences..
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jonclark96
Past CCA President
Sorry, can't help here. All my tanks are glass.
Andrew
Members
You can do any Ancistrus species for algae control. You can also keep the "carnivores" like Hypancistrus without worry. Any of the large scrapers will be a problem.
Andrew..do you have any acrylics? Some internet articles say teeth do damage to acrylic..don't the ancistrus species have teeth as well?
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Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
Having owned a fish store, I'd take Andrew's advice on most things equipment-related.
Andrew
Members
I used to maintain tanks professionally and many of them were acrylic.
Ancistrus have two advantages: The fish are smaller and their teeth are smaller in relation to their size. I never had a problem with any of them scratching the tank.
I had a HUGE problem with common and sailfin plecos (Glyptoperichthys spp.) and Royal Plecos (Panaque spp.). They destroyed a 400-gal Malawi tank in a hospital waiting room. (not my stocking choice, btw).
Any pleco that has a maximum size over 8 inches or so should be avoided. Any wood-eating pleco should be avoided. There's no guarantee that they will destroy your tank but you don't want to find out the hard way.
If you are only looking for algae control, get a group of the bristlenose (Ancistrus) that Frank, Christine, Rachel and others are breeding in the club. If you want something a little fancier, think about Hypancistrus, Leporacanthicus or other, smaller carnivores. Do some research before buying on whatever you choose.
Ancistrus have two advantages: The fish are smaller and their teeth are smaller in relation to their size. I never had a problem with any of them scratching the tank.
I had a HUGE problem with common and sailfin plecos (Glyptoperichthys spp.) and Royal Plecos (Panaque spp.). They destroyed a 400-gal Malawi tank in a hospital waiting room. (not my stocking choice, btw).
Any pleco that has a maximum size over 8 inches or so should be avoided. Any wood-eating pleco should be avoided. There's no guarantee that they will destroy your tank but you don't want to find out the hard way.
If you are only looking for algae control, get a group of the bristlenose (Ancistrus) that Frank, Christine, Rachel and others are breeding in the club. If you want something a little fancier, think about Hypancistrus, Leporacanthicus or other, smaller carnivores. Do some research before buying on whatever you choose.
Andrew
Members
Snails can me a problem too... Ramshorn and mystery snails are ok. I don't know about other varieties.
thanks alot andrew! this helps alot in making my stocking decisions.. will definitely look for bigger ones though.. unless i am going to stock with juvies.. currently have some albinos doing a nice cleaning job in the 220..but it is not acrylic.. will have the acrylics setup and running hopefully next week, so i am excited to know i can still put the bristlenose plecos in.. i like the albino ones..
