New plec tank

[chris521957]

Hi all. I am new to this site. Just been browsing for a couple of weeks to research some ideas. I am looking at setting up a plec tank, with a few cardinals in and a few corys. The tank is a juwel rio 180. Filter is hallea, over filtered by approx 6times. my water perams are, PH 6.8, nitrites 0, nitrates5/6, gh 4. At the moment i have 12 cardinals, 3 leopard cories, 3 amano shrimp, 5 small(2") starlight b/ns(l182) and 2 small(11/2") pckoltia vittatus(bought as but i dont think they are). I am looking at adding another 4/6 small plecs that dont grow more than about 3/4". Any suggestions would be welcome. Fortunately(i know this is going to upset some of you), i only live 10 miles from Pier Aquatics, so i will be down there a lot in the next few weeks. I will post some pics of my plecs when i can get some decent pics(only got a compact camera). Anyway, this is my tank at the moment, is there anything i could do to improve it for the fish. Thanks for any replies.

[MatsP]

Looks nice. Nice to see someone who actually keeps multiple plecos of the same species.

I would be careful with those visits to Pier - once your current stock gets mature, you'll be pretty close to (if not above) the stocking level for plecos.

As a side, where I love going to Pier, you are probably closer to Aqualife, which is on Southport road near Preston itself - it's more of an old-style shop, but often have interesting fish in stock, including many different corys.

--
Mats

[bigbird]

ah so the addiction has started. Always keep in mind that they will grow and watch your tank volume and size. Nice tank and good luck cheers jk

[chris521957]

Thanks for the replies. I know about the size issue with some of the plecs, but i intend to offload them when they get over 4". I dont intend breeding(had too much of that a few years ago with mbuna).Just got back from Pier with 4 leopards for a £10er, which i thought was pretty good. Nipped into Golden days garden center at Appley Bridge on the way back and bought 4 Sterbai for £22, which i thought was a fantastic price. Getting back to the plecs, i think we are going to steer away from them for now and concentrate a little more on the corries and possibly some loaches. Not oo sure where Aqualife is Mats, could you give me more specific directions pls. I love going to new shops to have a nosy, and usually spend a little money. Thanks Chris.

[MatsP]

Address of Aqualife is:
AquaLife & Pets,
Wyevale Garden Centre,
338 Southport Road,
Ulnes Walton, Leyland,
Preston, PR26 8LQ.

I can't give directions unless I know where you are starting from. From the CSG Conference in 2009, there are a few shops on the
map.

--
Mats

[chris521957]

Thanks Mats. Yes i know the shop, been there quite a few times, near Croston. Never knew the name of it before. Ah well, we live and learn. Thanks.