Brews 75 gallon hodgepodge tank....

[brewmaster15]

Hi all,
I happened to have a 75 gallon tank at the bottom of rack sitting empty when a friend of mine was exiting the hobby. He asked me if I wanted his fish and plants but since none were discus and I am trying to stay focused I was going to pass. I decided otherwise and a few weeks ago he brought me down several older wild angels, a clown? pleco a ton plants and some driftwood. There were also 3 vampire plecos.

I set the tank up with potted plants and made pleco caves by using ceramic tiles which also double as plant stands letting me fit more in the tank. Its my hope that I got males and females for the vampire plecos.

Snap shots of the tank...need to improve lighting ad they are just cheap strip Leds.

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[brewmaster15]

The angels are older and their fins got a bit beatup and burned but they are growing back. I have a few domestics that I am working with that I hope to cross back to them. So will be adding them eventually.

The vampire plecos are gorgeous fish. My new favorites. They are amazing. They are personable too. They come right over to me at feeding time. I really want to breed these and can see more in my future.

The tank itself is cluttered. I am quarantining everything at this point then will do some sorting and move some plants out to my wifes 125g.

I am sure the tank will change alot over time.
al

[brady]

Nice plecos.
Al, I can see it happening! To day 1 tank, 6 months from now 30 to 50.
Don't deny it. I know you.LOL
Jay

[brewmaster15]

Nice plecos.
Al, I can see it happening! To day 1 tank, 6 months from now 30 to 50.
Don't deny it. I know you.LOL
Jay

lol...Its been happening! Carrie caught me setting up a 10 gal stand for fry and joked"oh boy, another tanks getting set up"..at least I think it was a joke!

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[Adam S]

Al, how large are the plecos? Vampires (L240) show a fair bit of sexual dimorphism, especially when in breeding condition. It's easiest to sex them overhead on a white background (Sterilite dish tubs are great for this).

[brewmaster15]

Hi Adam,
They are between 5 and 7 inches. By their behavior so far I think I have 2 males..The largest and smallest..

[Adam S]

Still some growing to do but should be getting close to maturity. Viewed from above, head shape is pretty reliable with L240 if you draw a V from the tip of their nose to the base of their pectoral fins. Females will fit this profile pretty closely, while males have larger cheeks that extended past this profile (more U or even horseshoe shaped).

They are very beautiful plecos, like a giant L184.

[brewmaster15]

Thanks for that advice Adam. I will definitely use it!
al

[Kirbs]

Hey Al! Those L240's look nice. How many are in there? Do you worry about aggression and fighting? I have 2 in separate 75 gal. tanks and I want to put them in 1 tank but was concerned about aggression. Now you got me thinking I can do it. What has been your experience?

[brewmaster15]

Hi Kirby,
there are 3 in there and they dont really fight but the largest one does harass the smallest A bit. I think they may both be males. I was able to minimize that by placing caves in different locations and the potted plants act as a barrier so they have their space. So far its been working out well.
Al

[Adam S]

If you mix them, just be sure to avoid close-ended caves until you know how they behave. Then, add at least 1 (and preferably 1.5-2) cave per fish. A lot of "open" cover like Al's tank is ideal.

[brewmaster15]

If you mix them, just be sure to avoid close-ended caves until you know how they behave. Then, add at least 1 (and preferably 1.5-2) cave per fish. A lot of "open" cover like Al's tank is ideal.

Good point Adam, I have my caves set up open at both ends so they can make a retreat if needed.

al

[Kirbs]

Are those regular common brick under those tiles?

[brewmaster15]

yep... highly multifunctional too! I use them for spawning substrate for some fish, good for caves and great for quick barriers

[brewmaster15]

I changed up the tank a bit...moved out the amazon swords and angels to their own tank. ..added some driftwood .The vampire plecos have the 75 to themselves now except for a bunch of baby albino plecos for algae control.

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