None of the above are effective for glass cleaning. I enjoy them immensely as they add to the richness of the aquatic micro-ecosystem that I've created. :grin2:
DAPHNIA. I got mine from e.bay. They are best kept in a species tank without heavy filtration. Any fish will eat them. Any filter will suck up the rest. They filter food from the water column. A breeding population in a typical planted tank is highly unlikely: too clean, current too strong, fish too mean.
OSTRACODA/COPEPODS. Although fish will eat these detritivores, they'll happily live and breed in the substrate and filter. Without predators, you'll find them on calm areas of the glass, scraping for bacteria and between the substrate gobbling detritus.
AMPHIPODA (scuds). By far, the largest species among the ones you have listed. They are shredders. They scavenge and shred decaying organic matter for further processing by smaller animals. Far to big for nano fish to consume, they live and breed in my leaf litter tank; but I hardly ever see them. I only know they are there because they jump out of the way when I disturb the leaf litter bed and/or clean the filter. Reports indicate that they'll consume live plants as well but I have not noticed any measurable effect in either the leaf litter tank or fully planted tanks.
