Water Change in Non Fish Tanks

[theotheragentm]

How often would you change water in a tank with no fish that only housed shrimp and snails? Would water changes be the same or do shrimp and snails produce less waste than fish? Just a thought.

 

[jamesrm]

I would initially think less, as they produce less waste. One thing to keep in mind would be that the changes get out a lot of the left over food, shrimp sheddings, etc.

I would think though you could do it half as often if you don't have a silly amount of snails or shrimp.

 

[squawkbert]

Are you fertilizing? If you're doing heavy fertilizing (EI method or some such), you probably need to do changes as regularly as you would for a well stocked fishy tank.

 

[DepotFish]

I'd do at least half of what you would do for fish, if not the same amount

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I would continue with 50% weekly if it were my tank. Right now I have an angel and a candy stripe pleco in the 29. Very low bio load. I still do 50% weekly water changes even though I don't "need" to. Snails require minerals that is in the water to produce a healthy shell.

 

[hsherman1986]

I have a shrimp and snail tank and they get 50% weekly changes, just like everyone else. They are breeding and eating well.