New Starter. Help Please

[Robbiebunn]

Hi there. I have a common pleco and a male bristle nose. They will soon be too big for my tank. Can anyone recommend a friendly fish that would do the same job but stay a normal size of about 2/3 inches. Also I have sand at the bottom of my tank if that makes any difference. Also I'm thinking of getting an external filter is sand a problem for that. Your help in these matters are always welcome

 

[JBlacksmith]

I am pretty fond of otocincluses (they sure are cute little fellas). I've only ever kept them in smaller tanks (10 gallons or less), so I am unsure of how efficient they are in tanks bigger than 10 gallons. I have found that the tank with my bristlenose ends up needing almost the same amount of algae cleanup that my oto tank needs, but I am aware that my bristlenose has gotten a little lazy with age. So if you want smaller guys, I'd definitely give the otos a shot!
 
As for your filtering question, we have an external filter running for an axolotl tank at my house and the sand has never been an issue for us

 

[attibones]

The otos need to be in a very mature tank. I wouldn't put them in a tank newer than six months. They are also pretty sensitive, particularly upon first purchase. It's best to get more than six because, in my experience anyway, a couple of them die within the first few days, even with drip acclimation. 

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

Hi, check out the bulldog plecs. I would recommend seeing them in person as pictures I have seen do not do them justice.

 

[the_lock_man]

 Can anyone recommend a friendly fish that would do the same job but stay a normal size of about 2/3 inches. Also I have sand at the bottom of my tank if that makes any difference. Also I'm thinking of getting an external filter is sand a problem for that. Your help in these matters are always welcome

 
(A) Sand is not a problem with external filters.
(B) The job of a fish is to look nice. If you've got an issue with algae growth, then that is a symptom of an issue with your management of the tank. Always best to treat the cause, rather than the symptom Remember, too, that there are a number of different types of algae, and algae-eating fish don't eat all types of algae. If you are going to try to treat the symptoms, then you could try some cories as bottom dwellers. If you still want something to eat algae, then otos are a good bet, as above (assuming your problem is with GSA), or you could try nerite snails or amano shrimp.
 

Hi, check out the bulldog plecs. I would recommend seeing them in person as pictures I have seen do not do them justice.

 
Bulldog plecs live in cool mountain streams, so they like tanks with a heavy current (filtration at 10-15 turnover per hour), and cooler water (20-23C). The same is true of hillstream loaches, if anyone was thinking of suggesting them. Some people would say that it is completely wrong to keep fish in conditions which don't mimic their natural habitat. I wouldn't go so far as to say that, but certainly keeping fish outside their normal parameters will shorten their lifespan. Ultimately, it's your choice.

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

I have discovered that it is easier and more enjoyable to keep fish suited to your tank. I will bear that in mind if I do ever get one, I should of checked conditions before commenting.

 

[fm1978]

I'd be inclined to mirror the_lock_man. I used to think I could get a particular fish or shrimp to 'do a job', but, the reality is that they'll really only do a little tiny bit of the job. The rest will be up to you!
 
For example, I got a Flash Plec thinking s/he would make small work of all of the algae in my tank - bogwood, glass, ornaments - truth is, s/he doesn't, neither do my otos or corys, I still have to clean. But, they're all wonderful to watch, so concentrate on that instead!

 

[the_lock_man]

I'd be inclined to mirror the_lock_man. I used to think I could get a particular fish or shrimp to 'do a job', but, the reality is that they'll really only do a little tiny bit of the job. The rest will be up to you!

 
I think the only exception to that would be assassin snails, which have always done the required job completely.
 
When I was first starting out, I thought that I needed CO2 (ie it was a necessity), so along with my tank I bought a CO2 kit with a canister of gas and a chamber. The resulting wild fluctuations of CO2 in the water caused a massive algae outbreak (and I mean massive) for which I bought some amano shrimp. They made very little difference.

 

[fm1978]

There's always an exception!
 
The other one I was thinking of while writing the above were the few different loaches that'll eat a snail or 2, similar to your assassins, so yeah, there'll be those one or 2 wee creatures that will do a job...just not any (I can think of) that will clean your tank for you!
 
I can honestly say I've not used a single CO2 product ever and I've had great success with plants and very few algae issues. Granted, I go for the 'easy' plant types. 

 

[Robbiebunn]

Hi. Thanks for your help. I don't have any problems with alge it's just that my kids like to see the pleco's up on the glass. 

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

Have you decided on a replacement then? Not that you have had many suggestions lol. What other tank mates do you have?

 

[daizeUK]

Hi there. I have a common pleco and a male bristle nose. They will soon be too big for my tank. Can anyone recommend a friendly fish that would do the same job but stay a normal size of about 2/3 inches.

 
If you're looking for a fish that does the same job of producing massive amounts of poo may I recommend platies or mollies

 

[Gruntle]

Bristle noses don't grow as big as common plecos, I think 5-6" max. I've never got one to grow bigger than 5" myself.

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

Hi there. I have a common pleco and a male bristle nose. They will soon be too big for my tank. Can anyone recommend a friendly fish that would do the same job but stay a normal size of about 2/3 inches.

 
If you're looking for a fish that does the same job of producing massive amounts of poo may I recommend platies or mollies

Haa ha I second that!

 

[Robbiebunn]

Hi. Thanks again for your help. The reason for removing the bristle nose is simply because it hides all the time and I don't see the point of keeping it if I don't see it. I have given them pleco pellets and cucumber but not sure if the bristle nose or the common is eating them. No I haven't thought about what to replace them with as of yet. I have neons and lampeyes, also a couple of mollies and platies, and ruby sharks. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.