Setting up tanks for Pleco
#1
Hello,
I want to take a next step in the hobby and start keeping Pleco as I have found a supplier in my country with a variety of Plecos.
I myself got a big tank too to get ready (1,7m x 0,5 x 0.6). I have done some readings so I think my tank size is pretty good for most pleco.
Now my concern is setting up... apparently it will be a fast flowing tank and I have no idea how to set up such thing as I've been more experienced in slow moving fish.
The basic idea I have is having a very strong pump to pump water from a filter canister back into the tank. But then my questions are:
1. do I have to place the pipe that pumping water back into the tank (input) at the bottom of the tank or at the middle to replicate stream-like environment? Also what is the expected l/hour for pleco environment?
2. How do I get a huge amount of water out of the tank at the same time? the DIY over flow system I always use works well but it's only good if to get rid of surface waste. Should I expect a lot of waste for a pleco tank (I don't want to drill the tank btw)
3. Does it has to be boulders? Will normal rocks hurt my pleco? Do they need driftwood?
4. If I use fine sand as substrate, wouldn't the stream like environment blow the sand all over?
5. Will any plants survive in such environment? Will there be any dither fish in such environment?
Thanks