PlanetCatfish.com

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?

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

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

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.

What's the best way to increase DO?

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

-Shane

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.

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) "

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

--
Mats

Haavard Stoere wrote: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

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