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I am in need of a new plec after a heater disaster (boiled fish, anyone? very depressing). I saw an L-200 in an aquarium shop for $40. I have been reading some of the threads on this fish, and the profile, and the COTM article. However, being a little paranoid about the more expensive critters, I just wanted to confirm that the general consensus is that they are hardy fellows. I have a 55G planted community tank, currently with a couple of angel fish, bb gobies and zebra loaches. I plan on getting some tetras, and perhaps a bristlenose as well, if the L-200 doesn't keep up with the algae. I keep up with maintenance, and perform a gravel vacuum and 30% water change weekly.
Thanks.

I don't have a full test kit, but when I've had the full set done at the shop, I've had acceptable pH, etc. I had (before the disaster) an albino bristlenose, a clown plec and a farowella, all for over a year, so they enjoyed the conditions.

I work at a fish store and I can't recall ever loosing a L200. They are much hardier than alot of the other fancies, plus they show themselves alot more as well. I don't know how well they do on algae but the tanks they are in are usually prettty clean of algae and I rarely have to scrub the walls of their tanks. I would say L200 is one of the better choices available.

I've had a male for maybe 1 1/2 years. He is not a big algae eater but he does seem to get along well with other plecs as long as they aren't green too! I started with 3 and the dominant one wouldn't tolerate the other 2 at all after they started to get some size. He's about 5-5.5" now. Definitely a hardy fish. I traded one of them to my fav LFS. It is still in his display tank doing as well as mine. Go for it!

hi i,ve had an L200 in my tank for awhile now (among others)and i love him he,s great and gets on well with the others one of my favourites they seem to move with more grace.

I dont think they're a tough pleco to take care of as well, only thing i know about the L200 is that it grows extemely slow....

don't count on it being an "algae" eater in the way you i think you would like. Sure it eats some, but its not going to "keep your tank clean". try some otocinclus etc. for that task.