bottom feeder questions

**TLC** · 11-07-2012, 02:44 PM

I had no.clue till i came upon his site that there r difrent kinds of algie eaters!!
Mine is black w some disturbing im watching you tiny black eyes. He? Has patterns too that are kinda animal printish.
While we had these 3 huge mean fish he stayed hidden. He now comes out and sucks at diffrent items in the tank.
Now that i have learned there are difrent kinds id like to know what he is.
Also would it help to keep waste down natrually by adding poo eaters? Are there poo eaters? I had always thought that what catfish did eat poo.... but then who eats the cat fish poo?
Gosh!! Trying vry hard to be a good fish mama!!

**Brhino** · 11-07-2012, 03:06 PM

Nothing eats poo. Poo is the stuff that is left over after everything of nutritional value has been extracted. Bottom feeders of any kind require a suitable diet of plant and/or animal matter, not poo. It is the responsibility of the aquarium owner to remove poo through gravel vacuuming and mechanical filtration before it pollutes the tank water.

As for your bottom feeder, we'll need a picture or a more technical description before we can make any kind of identification.

**fishmommie** · 11-07-2012, 03:34 PM

curious - do you have a 130 tank or 1 - 30 gal tank? I hope it's the 130 as you have a LOT of large fish per your signature line.

**TLC** · 11-07-2012, 03:43 PM

Its a giant 130 gal tank! Lol! We are so new at this! Just happened to be visiting some family and admiring their tanmk when they offered to sell it fish decor and all!! I did a quick google search and discovered the tank alone would coat close to a grand if not more brand new! So we jumped at the chance to get the whole deal for 300 bucks! We figured it was a once in a lifetime op.

**fishmommie** · 11-07-2012, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by TLC

Its a giant 130 gal tank! Lol! We are so new at this! Just happened to be visiting some family and admiring their tanmk when they offered to sell it fish decor and all!! I did a quick google search and discovered the tank alone would coat close to a grand if not more brand new! So we jumped at the chance to get the whole deal for 300 bucks! We figured it was a once in a lifetime op.

great. And I wondered about the stocking list as you've got an interesting combo there. And yes, you got a great buy!

There are so many good articles here on the site about different kinds of fish, their profiles, compatibility, water perimeters, etc.

Also have to ask - do you have an API water test kit? You need to be checking your Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates on a regular basis to insure your water quality is good and the fish stay healthy.

How about water changes? What is your schedule? Most here change 50% of the water on a weekly basis. Did your friends also provide water conditioner?

You might want to list what kind of equipment and supplies you have and again, let us know your maintenance schedule so we can help in the event we see something problematic. I know when I started this hobby, I had no idea there was some much involved.
In the meantime, you've definitely come to the right place. Someone here will have answers to your questions.

**TLC** · 11-07-2012, 05:17 PM

Ok up dated profile fishmommie. And jan i seriously always thought bottom feeders ate poo!! Lol! No cats here though! Our dog thinks they r squeak toys!!

**ijankrom** · 11-07-2012, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by TLC

Also would it help to keep waste down natrually by adding poo eaters?

Thank you TLC, I needed a laugh today.

Hey do you have a cat? My dog Toby thinks the clumps in our cat's litter box are treats.

You know when he's been munching on them (and our kids have not taken care of the box yet) when he comes over to you with his snout covered with litter.