Algae keeps dying in freshwater tank!!

Question
Hi,
My husband and I recently started a community tank, we used to have goldfish in the tank but they did on our way to a new state. So we set the fish tank up and bought platies (5) and tetras (8). We are new to these types of fish but I did a little research on them. I am not having a problem with the fish just the algae eaters (pleco). We purchased one once we started noticing the green algae on the rocks. We also then began noticing brown residue on the rocks, plastic plants and on the aquarium wall. Our first algae died!! We thought maybe he died because we went out of town for a week and he didn't have enough food. So we recently bought another one and after 4 days the other one died. Could it be the brown algae that is making the plecos die? We get our water tested by petsmart and i bought a pH level tester and its at 7.o currently. I'm just confused because I don't know why our plecos keep dying. Can you shed any light on this situation and why possibly we keep losing our pleco? :-(

Answer
I'm sorry to hear that.

Plecos in general, are quite hardy fish. But one must keep in mind that petstores, they are often reduced to quite a vulnerable and weak physical state. They usually are malnourished unless the petstore is really knowledgeable and takes the time to make sure they are well-fed, and lets take into account the amount of stress they are put through with all the shipping, transporting and handling and then suddenly they are moved to a new tank environment.

It's also possible your tank may have some water quality problems due to it being new. Ammonia or nitrites or even high nitrates could be part of the problem. Ammonia and nitrites should always be ZERO and nitrates should be 20 or less ideally.

Your water may be fine however. And the problem may be simply that the plecos are weak when you first bring them home and the trip to your tank just finishes them off.
*What I would do is when you bring one home, have some zucchini or a leaf of romaine lettuce put in the tank when you add them to your setup. Freezing and then thawing the Zucchini or Lettuce beforehand can help soften the food before feeding. You may have to use a rubberband and attach it to a small rock to help sink it.

It's also possible the stock of plecos at your store may have internal problems or illnesses that are otherwise not easy to spot.

Either way, you might also want to try a different petstore and their stock of plecos to see how that works out.

Just keep in mind plecos cannot survive on just the algae in the tank alone. They need supplements just as horses and cattle need to be given hay when out in the pasture.

I hope this helps!!
Karen~