Whats needed...

[Bradb]

Hi again, I just want to know what people think is more important for pleco breeding, water flow into a cave or high levels of O2?
Thing is I know that some plecs, inparticular hyspancistrus thrive in highly turbulant areas, which means they probably breed easier in a tank with high water flow...but do other families require this or is it just a mater of high O2 and a spawning trigger

eg. A friend of mine has spawned and raised both L260 and L134 in high water flow tanks.
And done the same with both of these in a 'quiet' tank with high surface adgetation but little under the surface and vertually no current into the cave.

Does anyone else run similar set ups?

[MatsP]

In nature, highly turbulent/fast flowing water equals high dissolved oxygen content. In fish-tanks, we can sometimes achieve one without so much of the other, but it's nearly impossible to not have SOME of both combined.

Based on what I know, almost all Loricariidae require high DO levels. The high flow of their natural habitat is a side-effect, but there's nothing bad about having a high flow in the tank.

--
Mats

[Lloydy]

What's the best way to increase DO?

I use 2 air stones + a powerhead to increase flow/get more oxygen into the water but always happy to hear suggestions

[Hitch]

In my 30 gal Hypan tank, I use 2 Aquaclear 30 powerheads placed in the middle of the height of the tank that blasts O2 into the water via the air intake tube. Don't have a device to measure exact DO level, but I am betting the aquaclears are blasting enough O2 into that water.

[Shane]

What's the best way to increase DO?

Take a look here
http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworl ... ved+oxygen

-Shane

[Haavard Stoere]

I use these and homemade equivalents in all my tanks. I also have a lot of surface movement, but I would not be without the diffusors.

[apistomaster]

My set ups all include one airlift large sponge filter, one large sponge filter driven by a MaxiJet 600 power head and one vigorously bubbling airstone. i consider a good current and lots of aeration to be all important in providing for their basic needs.
I use the above combination for all my tanks that are 20 gal long to 40 gal breeders. I am breeding L260, L333 and L134 successfully in all these sizes of tanks plus one 29H.
L134 are in a 20 long.(5)adults
L260 are in the 29H.(6) "
L333 are in a 40 gal breeder.(7) "

[MatsP]

My tanks have air-stones and quite a bit of circulation from either filters or separate circulation pumps (or both in some cases).

--
Mats

[jeff@zina.com]

I use these and homemade equivalents in all my tanks. I also have a lot of surface movement, but I would not be without the diffusors.

Any photos or DIY details about your home made versions?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Haavard Stoere]

Any photos or DIY details about your home made versions?

Thanks,

Jeff

Sometime next week I will make a 3400lph diffusor for my new tank from standard pvc parts. I will post pictures of the process there:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =4&t=26493