Algae eater in a 5G?

[Oscarr19]

Stupid question but is there any algae eater that i can put in a 5G? I highly doubt it but thought the only bad questions are the ones never asked.

 

[HalfMoon B]

Sure you can! Shrimp.

 

[Oscarr19]

I am going to add shrimp but i was thinking something that would clean the glass.

As i just wrote this i realized snails do. wow

What kind of snail do you recommend? I was thinking apple snail.

 

[jetajockey]

nerite snails are better than apple snails

 

[Oscarr19]

Do they over populate? Only looking for one snail that'll do the job not having a tank overrun with them.

 

[bruinsbro1997]

No I believe nerites can only breed in SW only.

 

[jetajockey]

they'll still lay eggs in fw they just don't survive.

 

[absolutangel04]

Nerite. I agree. I have apple snails, pond snails, and nerite snails in various tanks and the nerite are my biggest algae eaters. You will still have to clean the glass of course though because they do not eat everything.

 

[Oscarr19]

Ok do most pet shops carry them? I don't think i have ever seen them.

 

[HalfMoon B]

Depends on your shops. My petco and petsmart do not, but my locally owned stores do.

 

[absolutangel04]

Ok do most pet shops carry them? I don't think i have ever seen them.

I have not seen them around a lot. I got mine at DeathCo (aka PetCo). Some stores may be willing to order them for you, otherwise you can get them online. Apple snails are eaiser to find, IME. If you cannot find nerite snails, apple/mystery snails are still a good option.

 

[HalfMoon B]

The apple/mystery snails create more of a mess than they EVER help clean up IME...

 

[Oscarr19]

I'll call around and see which ones carry. Would they be ok with a betta?

 

[Mogurako]

I'll call around and see which ones carry. Would they be ok with a betta?

They will be just fine with a Betta.

 

[absolutangel04]

I'll call around and see which ones carry. Would they be ok with a betta?

Yes. Mine live a betta. Sometimes bettas flare at snails, but hey, thats what the shell is for! However, I have always had bettas ignore the nerites.

 

[Oscarr19]

How many should I get? So far my 5G only has a betta but I'm planning on adding 5 shrimp.

 

[siva]

How many should I get? So far my 5G only has a betta but I'm planning on adding 5 shrimp.

I per 5 gals is plenty.

 

[Oscarr19]

Ok next week i'll head over to my LFS to finally start stocking my 32G. I'll look for nerite snails and shrimp aswell.