I have a small, low tech, filterless, heavily planted 5 gallon tank and I would like to know if I should add some snails (MTS for substrate, and/or ramshorns for algae + scavenging...or even some tadpole snails). I currently have no cleaner crew in the tank (shrimps were picked to death by the betta)
Substrate:
2" self mixed clay heavy soil+sand (demineralizing method)
1" dark gravel top
Plants:
Anubias Nana
Java Fern
Java Moss
Marimo Ball
C. Wendtii
Animals:
1x Female Betta
3x glowlight tetras
Equipment:
standard 5.5 Gallon tank
10 watt compact florescent with 12h on/12 off timer
In my opinon, I am already pushing the limit for bioload since my tank is filterless and relies only on plants for water quality. Water quality is good and I have not yet had any algae (except a tiny bit of GSA), cloudy water, or any problems in the two months that that the tank has been up. All fish and plants seem healthy
......but I really would like to have a cleaner crew (is it even necessary?) and I think the MTS should help aerate my substrate to prevent future problems.
What do you guys think. I'm thinking I shouldn't, but if people seem to think its OK to get a little MTS/ramshorn/tadpole snail population going, then I would certainly like to.
Substrate:
2" self mixed clay heavy soil+sand (demineralizing method)
1" dark gravel top
Plants:
Anubias Nana
Java Fern
Java Moss
Marimo Ball
C. Wendtii
Animals:
1x Female Betta
3x glowlight tetras
Equipment:
standard 5.5 Gallon tank
10 watt compact florescent with 12h on/12 off timer
In my opinon, I am already pushing the limit for bioload since my tank is filterless and relies only on plants for water quality. Water quality is good and I have not yet had any algae (except a tiny bit of GSA), cloudy water, or any problems in the two months that that the tank has been up. All fish and plants seem healthy
......but I really would like to have a cleaner crew (is it even necessary?) and I think the MTS should help aerate my substrate to prevent future problems.
What do you guys think. I'm thinking I shouldn't, but if people seem to think its OK to get a little MTS/ramshorn/tadpole snail population going, then I would certainly like to.