Is it a neccesity to get driftwood for your pleco??

[verano]

I have a ABN and would like to know if absolutely necessary to get it driftwood??


If I add driftwood will it affect my Ph level?

[smaug]

Most all plec enjoy gnawing on wood,some like clowns require it in there diet. I think your abn would enjoy it but not need it. Driftwood altering poh really depends on how much you add in relationship to water volume.Even if you add a very large amount,it seldom lowers ph by more then .3.

[funkman262]

It pretty much just aids in the digestion and plecos generally like hiding places. If you feed them high quality algae wafers then they'd probably be just fine without the wood.

[genocidex]

the wood would be required for herbivorous plecos like rubber lip, they eat the wood yes but they are really after the microbios on the wood. i believe it is something that is needed for the overall longevity of these plecos.

the carnivore plecos on the other hand like zebra plecos could probally do without it but would still be a good idea to keep some in as it does give them a really great hiding place

[Fishguy2727]

I would have some in with any pleco. Even if it isn't required in their diet it is a great place for them to hide, and about as natural as it gets for them.

[verano]

ok thank you all for your input!

[verano]

Another thing I heard is that if i get the driftwood it would stop eating algae and only suck on the driftwood 24/7. Is this true?

[Fishguy2727]

No. They still need a good diet. Any time I feed the plecos come out and feed on the same pellets that all the other fish do. They also help keep the algae under control.

[verano]

Thank you Fishguy2727. I will prob go get a driftwood then in the next couple of days.

[dbosman]

Another thing I heard is that if i get the driftwood it would stop eating algae and only suck on the driftwood 24/7. Is this true?

Adult plecos, unless you have herbivores, don't eat much algae. Off the walls or rasped off wood.
Young growing plecos are the ones that spend time on the tank walls eating algae. Kind of like teen age kids. They usually have to.

One problem with plecos is there are hundreds of species. Some are omnivores, some are herbivores and some are carnivores. Common plecos start out eating anything they can get, which too often - due to fish lore rather than education - is only algae. Unless the plecos get brave and hungry enough to eat when the tank is fed, they can easily starve.

Like almost any other living thing a varied diet is best.
Algae wafers, by the way, usually have fish meal as the first ingredient.
Cooked yam is a great pleco food. Blanched or raw zuchinni or cucumber is well liked too. Perhaps not at first.