Pros and Cons
SNAILS
Pros:
1. They're much more tolerant and hardy than many shrimps.
2. I don't ever recall having any snails die in mass due to some unknown causes.
3. Depends on the size, snails are slower and I think they're more powerful, especially getting at those algae that grow on the tank wall.
4. Certain snails like MTS, will actually dig around your substrate. That's a good thing as it aerates the substrate and mixes it up.
Cons:
1. Some lay eggs that'll annoy the crap out of you. On your tank walls or on your plants.
2. People say they won't eat plants, but I beg to differ, especially when there's not much other food source than your plants if you forget to feed. Think about it, to starve to death or eat plants? Easy choice.
3. With snails, its not trying to keep their numbers up that gets to you, its trying to keep their numbers down. Feeding less or trapping them is the only way but I've done both and it's not as easy as you might think.
4. Once you have snails and you don't want them anymore, GOOD LUCK BUDDY! Some snails are easier, some just seem immortal (SAI: Snails Are Immortal)
SHRIMPS
Pros:
1. Unlike snails, shrimps don't lay eggs on your glass or plant surfaces (not that I know of at least)
2. They are pretty easily eradicated if you ever choose to. They're very sensitive to metals in the water. Drop a penny and you'll see dead shrimps galore. I don't know why you want them dead, I'm just saying if you did.
3. You will notice that a planted tank with a lot of shrimps is usually a very awesome looking tank that doesn't have a lot of algae problems. You should see the moss ball that I kept them in before, most perfect, cleanest most ball ever. Snails seem to clean better, but shrimps seem to be more mobile and active and faster at what they do.
4. More entertaining to watch since they're faster and more active, IMO that is.
Cons:
1. They do have problems taking out certain algaes but so do some snails. Hardest is the green spot algaes.
2. Die too easily. If you plan to keep them in a planted tank with ferts, be careful. If you goof off then you might wake up with a bunch of shrimps taking a gravel nap.
3. Also known to munch on certain plants.
That's all I have for now.
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