LDA08 (Ancistrus claro) spawn

[Rush2112]

My ancistrus claro plecos spawned. The batch was small with around 12 fry and I left them in the tank. I only see one or two left swimming around. If they breed again I'll try to save more by taking them out of the cave.

[CanadaPleco]

Wow, been a great week for you!

[jackson]

Very nice Gino :)

I thought you would be getting a lot more out of these guy's.

Next time save me a few ;)

[Bwhiskered]

Your water must be better than Burlington's. Mine is reading nitrate stress right out of the tap. What percentage of RO are you using with these spawnings? Congratulations.

[Rush2112]

I use Toronto municipal water. The ph is 7.4 and the hardness is 150 ppm (conductivity 300 uS). It has no nitrates out of the tap.

I didn't use any RO water with the claro plecos. With other plecos, I have used anywhere from 25 to 35% RO and added alder cones to lower the hardness and the ph.

[jackson]

I use Toronto municipal water. The ph is 7.4 and the hardness is 150 ppm (conductivity 300 uS). It has no nitrates out of the tap.

I didn't use any RO water with the claro plecos. With other plecos, I have used anywhere from 25 to 35% RO and added alder cones to lower the hardness and the ph.

I thought the PH be lowered after using the RO water in the first place?

What is the PH reading of the RO water after using the alder cones?

[tobalman]

Congratulations again Gino.

The RO has a pH between 6.0 to 6.8

I test the pH with the alder cones on my regular tap at 7.8pH for every cone per 10gal, it will bring down -0.4 to -0.5 in 48hrs.


I thought the PH be lowered after using the RO water in the first place?

What is the PH reading of the RO water after using the alder cones?

[Rush2112]

Jacob,
You're correct, RO water is generally acidic. Hong provided the usual ph range.

RO is devoid of trace minerals. Therefore, a combination of dechlorinated tap water and RO is best. It will provide softer, more acidic water than pure tap.
Alder cones will also lower ph. If you choose to use more alder cones then use less RO. I aimed for a ph of 6.5

While certain fish such as discus prefer ph in the low 6 range for breeding, I don't think you need to go that low for plecos.

Gino

[Catsaholic]

I'm just curious, can't you use alder cones only, without the RO water? I think I've read somewhere negative comments about alder cones. I don't remember what it said though. Is there anything to be aware of?

[tobalman]

I'm just curious, can't you use alder cones only, without the RO water? I think I've read somewhere negative comments about alder cones. I don't remember what it said though. Is there anything to be aware of?

They are very similar to the Indian almond leaf but only cheaper.

[Hitch]

Just realized I didnt say this on this thread XD.

Congrats Gino :) Your plecos sure are busy this week.