Bio-load Of Shrimps And Snails

[Egmel]

What sort of bio-load do shrimps and snails have? I'm currently fishless cycling and have nearly finalised my stocking list, but I've just read that snails are very 'dirty' in the tank. I was hoping to add a few MTS to help turn over the sand substrate and I've recently seen pics of Cherry Shrimp which look really cool!

My question is how many 'inches' do I need free in order to add some shrimp and snails? It's a 20G/70l tank and it's hopefully going to house small peaceful fish but my current list is at its limit It does have over filtration by about 3 times 9using an Eheim 2213 suitable for 250l.)

This is my current list, would I be OK adding MTS and cherry Shrimp on top or do I need to reconsider?

 

[BiffMalawi]

I think your list looks good and I think you can easily add the MTS as I don't think they add that much and they perform an important service.

The cerrys You could probably add a couple as well. I don't think any of those fish will bug them.

 

[jayjay]

I don't agree with the inch per gallon idea, as there are lot's of things wrong with it.

You could easily add more snails or shrimp IMO.

 

[sammy86]

i have a 12 gallon full of fish, they make no mess compared to my 3 apple snails

they 'skank' the tank up overnight - their big (bigger than golf balls) and they also lay eggs all over the hood lol
they do munch on algae, but my ottos, shrimp and little nerite to a better job

shrimp are fantastic little cleaners, as are nerite snails (which dont breed and are very pretty)

i dont judge them in the tank rule - then saying thta i am overstocked (waiting for a cabnet for bigger tank XD)

 

[Araxen]

I don't count my shrimp to the bio-load because they pratically add nothing too. A snail on the other hand is "very messy" and I would count it as a significant contributer to the bio-load as most snails make alot of waste.

 

[Barracuda518]

Back when I was keeping apple snails, they pooped like crazy and all the time.

 

[Gankutsuou]

in my experince shrimp add almost 0 to the bioload.

They also do clean, meaning they can even be considered to help a bit, helping consider them 0.

The rule of thumb i believe is 4 amano shrimp per gallon, while adding on to an inch of fish. Expecially if your fishy stay at the top of the tank, EX: betta.

Bigger shrimp like wood shrimp don't even add enough to be considered an inch i hear.