Temporary housing for pleco?

[Zefrik]

I have one common pleco in my 140 gallon with my goldfish. I know goldfish are not supposed to be housed with plecos. I am afraid the pleco is not getting enough to eat in the tank with the gold fish. It seems like everything that I try to feed it gets eaten by the 12+ goldfish. The pleco right now is about 4-5 inches long. I have a 55 gallon plant only tank that has been running for about 2 months now and I was thinking about putting the pleco in the 55 gallon. The tank has some driftwood for him and some algae growing. I think the 55 gallon would be a better home for him. What do you think?

Will the pleco ruin my plants?
Will the pleco benefit from having driftwood?

[HybridHerp]

to answer your second question, yes, at least to some extent
but to answer your first question, it depends upon your species of pleco
a lot of the common plecos easily outgrow a 55 gallon tank, so that there may be of a concern, plecos are also known for uprooting and de-leafing various plants, so I'd say that its a gamble
I have a pleco in my planted tank, and aside from accidentally uprooting a few not so well rooted plants he leaves things alone, but on the other hand I know of plecos that have destroyed huge amazon sword plants and reduced them to nothing

[Kyrol]

My common pleco's don't bother the plants other then the Lily's. they are both 6+ inches and I'm getting ready to see if the lfs will trade me 2 smaller ones just because they dwarf everything in the tank. If they get spooked they do push the plants out of the way and it could cause uprooting. Plecos can hold there own even over goldfish/Koi if they are hungry enough they will get in and mix it up for it.

For question 2 both of mine hang on the drift wood more then they do the glass. pretty much only leave it to chase an algae waffer I dropped in.

[PlantedRich]

When they get that size, I feel it is a good time to get rid of them. As they get too much bigger, the bottom falls out of the demand around here. They are often given away as a last try.

[Zefrik]

Originally Posted by PlantedRich

When they get that size, I feel it is a good time to get rid of them. As they get too much bigger, the bottom falls out of the demand around here. They are often given away as a last try.

I would rather not give him away. I have had him for a few years now.

[LB79]

Move him outside in a tub pond, or get a bigger tank (125 or so gallons) and get some other big fish. Silver dollars, a few plecos, and a pike cichlid in a hardscape can look particularly effective.