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Howdy!

I'm looking for some information on how well new acrylic tanks hold up to plecos. I've read that the new acrylics are much tougher than the old ones which were known to get scraped by plecos, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience they'd share. My plecos are "common" types--they look like Liposarcus sp. and are about 14 inches long. They need a bigger tank and I'd love to go acrylic, but not if they'd eat it!

Has anyone had a good experience with acrylic and common plecos? A forum search reveals alot of "I heard that plecos scratch acrylic" but I'm wondering if those are just old stories based on old acrylic technology and if anyone has tested it with a new tank and a big fish (it's an expensive experiment!). My spikey friends hope someone can help us. Thanks!

Certain types of plecs will scratch acrlic however liposarcus pardalis is not one.

Cim,
Loricariids versus acrylic = ruined acrylic tank. I had a 90 gallon destroyed to the point that I actually had to give it away as you could hardly see through the acrylic. Now, let me qualify that statement. If you are after a heavily planted show tank and the only loricariids you will use are Otos and Farlowella, go for it. However, if you have dreams of keeping Panaque and their relatives (such as Scobiancistrus and many of the small colorful L Numbers) or Hypostomus and their relatives (esp. Cochliodon!) forget it.
Also, keep in mind that tanks change over time. Maybe today you want a planted tank, but in three years you may be in love with Panaque and want to keep a number of them. Your options, as regards plecos, will always be very limited.
-Shane

Sorry to break into your post Cim.... But I had a question about bristle nose and acrylic, Will they tear it up too?

Yes, Ancistrus will ruin the tank as well. It just takes longer than it does for the spoon teeth loricariids (like Panaque and Cochliodon) to destroy it. I would not recommend anything outside the Loricaria types (Rineloricaria, Loricarichthys, etc) or the Oto types (Parotocinclus, Hypoptopoma, etc). Basically, stay in the subfamilies Loricariinae and Hypoptopomatinae.
-Shane

thanks for the replies!

Shane, is your experience with acrylic pretty recent? The newer tanks are (reportedly) much tougher than those made a few years ago, but obviously I'm not sure that makes them tough enough for plecos.

Other Loricariids aren't an option. I'm getting a new tank for my fish--not fish for my new tank. I'm stuck with these guys for a long time I think--they don't look like they're going to die any time soon.


On a related topic, is it bad for the fish to gnaw on acrylic, or does it pass on through their systems safely?

Cim,
You can take my advice or leave it. Since you are buying a tank for fish you already have, why not buy what will work best? You are welcome to buy a new acrylic, but in a month you'll be posting in Tank Talk "How do I get these scratches out of my tank?" The acrylic does not seem to bother the fishes at all as it passes right through them. Another positive thing about glass is that it is much cheaper. Take the money you will save and buy an even bigger tank. Your fish will thank you.
-Shane

hmmm... well then... I guess my dreams of a sunshine and a scarlet in the 4'x8'x2' ray tank won't work? well... that's good...

Shane, Ok... I thought I had my mind made up on Bristle nose! oh well, Help a new pleco guy out...I need a ''ALGAE EATER'' for central A. South A. and African cichlid tanks. I dont want them to get too big, about 6-8â??â?? and i want them to be able to live with loaches. HELP!? p.s. please give me common names or L# so I can find the fish, thanks

Any Sturisoma or larger Rineloricaria should do fine with the Central and South Americans. Maybe they will do ok with African cichlids as well provided thay are not from the Rift Lakes and you are maintaining "liquid rock" water parameters. Otherwise, just set your lights on a timer so that they are on 3-4 hours a day in the evening when you are home. Algae thrive on light, not fish. If you do have any of the Rift Lake cichlids that feed on aufwachs, the loricariids will just compete with them for food. Sadly it is an "either" "or" situation. Sure a tank of Neolamprologus and zebra plecos would look great. You just can't have it and have both groups of fishes live in optimal conditions.
-Shane