Feeding the Rubber Lip

**JayZero911** · 10-21-2012, 04:21 AM

2ppm ammonia..... holy $%!*... yeah I'll bite my lip and agree, my pleco didn't see even half that level

.... But I will still say if he keeps up on WC's like I did his pleco will be fine. 2ppm is not keeping up on it tho. If you have to do 2 50% WCs everyday for the next 6 months.... do it! Or since you have only had it a few days and if you can't keep the tank below .25, then return him. Still best of luck to you, but do those WC's!

**Cliff** · 10-21-2012, 04:26 AM

Jay, the 2ppm of ammonia is coming from his tap water, more water changes = more ammonia in a uncycled tank. It would be best if the tank was allowed to cycle fishless so a good amount of BB can be grown to take care of the ammonia in the tap water.

**Goes to 11!** · 10-21-2012, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by Cliff

It would be best if the tank was allowed to cycle fishless so a good amount of BB can be grown to take care of the ammonia in the tap water.

Yup .............

**JayZero911** · 10-21-2012, 04:35 AM

Sorry thought that was a typo or something. I'll go hide in the corner now with my foot in my mouth....

**ddavis1979** · 10-21-2012, 11:34 PM

No worries, I was doing crazy water changes trying to keep up, not realizing the problem in the tap.

I also got a pleco when I had 9 days of no ammonia and thought it was safe. Unfortunately, I dont have a new home to send him to right now.

So I am playing the waiting game for the tank to cycle, and once it does cycle, to control nitrates I will do 25% water changes maximum to reduce the impact of ammonia from the tap and i will do them more often.

I was wanting to educate myself on the pleco a little more. I know that they are nocturnal feeders, I just couldnt find much evidence of his feeding, even at night. But his tummy seems round and he is acting normally so far, my fingers are crossed for the cycle to hurry up and do its thing.

I think I have the azalea aquariums on speed dial and I am probably annoying that guy alot haha!