View Full Version : Transfering my pleco....
Bill M.
07-03-2007, 04:30 AM
It's happend. Algea has started to grow in my 29 gallon tank. It's time to transfer Mr. Pleco from the ten gallon to the 29 gallon. My mission: Getting him in the 29 with as little stress as possible. My problem: Whenever I do net him, and place him in a zip lock bag to float him for and hour while adding water from the 29 every ten minutes, I know he will stick to the bag, so when I try to net him, how do I get him out to put in the 29?? I could just lower the bag completely into the tank, and let him swim out, but I don't want the water from the ten to be in the 29. No particular reason, but I don't. Any tips??:c3:
...if you need to, see if you can 'float' him in a plastic container...I've managed to that by hooking it in a corner...
That will keep the temp. correct...and then every 5 min., you can add a bit of the new water ...do that for 30 min.
Then I'd just use my hand and scoop him into the new tank...less stressful than using a net...
Just watch your fingers...plecs are pokey...as I found out the hard way...
...er, so are Oscars...and cory cats...
zackish
07-03-2007, 05:12 AM
just scrape him off with the net i am sure only a little pressure and he will come right off. I am not saying to scrape him like you are scraping off bird shit off your car but I little poke won't hurt him.
cocoa_pleco
07-03-2007, 05:20 AM
that what i used to do with plecos. just gently nudge him until he would give up.
YaYgoldFish
07-03-2007, 02:18 PM
Or if your scared of hurting him, use a big net and place it under your plastic bag. Then flip the bag inside out and hold the bag so that hes upside down, in less than 5 seconds he will be in your net. Goodluck:thumb:
*shrug* If you have the same water quality and temperature in the two tanks, there is no reason to acclimatize him. I never do. If I have to carry the fish to another room I will lower the net into a container with water from the tank. If the tanks are right next to eachother I just take them directly from one tank to the other.
Then I'd just use my hand and scoop him into the new tank...less stressful than using a net...
I'm sure you know that your skin should not come in direct contact with a pleco, the natural fat layer on your skin may burn his.
...he was having some water quality differences I believe...so in that case, best to play it safe...
zackish
07-03-2007, 03:11 PM
*shrug* If you have the same water quality and temperature in the two tanks, there is no reason to acclimatize him. I never do. If I have to carry the fish to another room I will lower the net into a container with water from the tank. If the tanks are right next to eachother I just take them directly from one tank to the other.
I'm sure you know that your skin should not come in direct contact with a pleco, the natural fat layer on your skin may burn his.
His 10g is his quarantine.
...he was having some water quality differences I believe...so in that case, best to play it safe...
In that case I would go with your suggestion of a plastic container (the water changing bucket maybe?), then net him again after the procedure.
His 10g is his quarantine.
I'm sorry, but I don't quite see where you are going. Could you elaborate?
Incredulous_Ed
07-03-2007, 04:12 PM
I nudged my pleco with the net and he came right off.
Bill M.
07-03-2007, 07:14 PM
Yea.. my trates are a bit high... done 2 WC's but its only came down 5 ppm.... my plan is to start the 10 gallon over again, well all the water anyway. I plan on syphoning out as much water as possible, and then adding dechlorinated water after everything is transfered.....ill leave the gravel and filter going for the bacteria, and Ive got a few ceramic cubes in the 29's filter so if I need the 10 as a hospital, i cna put em in and its an instant cycle......
Yea.. my trates are a bit high... done 2 WC's but its only came down 5 ppm.... my plan is to start the 10 gallon over again, well all the water anyway. I plan on syphoning out as much water as possible, and then adding dechlorinated water after everything is transfered.....ill leave the gravel and filter going for the bacteria, and Ive got a few ceramic cubes in the 29's filter so if I need the 10 as a hospital, i cna put em in and its an instant cycle......
You can estimate fairlly exact how much your nitrates will go down. If you change 10% water, you will reduce them with 10% - provided that your tap water does not contain any.
So if you have 20 ppm, and do a 25% water change you will be left with 15 ppm. Another 25% water change will get you to somewhere between 11 and 12 ppm.
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