Shrimp vs Snails

[Newjohn]

I have had MTS in most of my tanks for years.

The question I have is.

Is there to much compitition for food between Shrimp and MTS ?

I have always used MTS as a Clean-up crew.
But, In a Shrimp only tank, Are they really needed

The MTS reproduce as fast as CRS.
I want as much food for the Shrimp as possible.
So, if they are not needed, Off to the LFS they go.

John

[zapisto]

in my opinion, and i can be wrong , everything is regulation matter.

my father used to say : " excess in everything is bad, even if the thing is good"

i am pretty sure you remove crs time to time (sell, setup new tank, etc...)
i do the same with my snails (i remove some time to time).

[Newjohn]

This how I rate the critters in my tank.

Shrimp First
Snails Second

If the Snails are to much compitition for the food in the tank.
Then out goes the Snails.

I am just trying to make the best enviroment for the Shrimp.

If the Snail Dropping help to produce micro-organism's, for the Shrimp to eat.
Then I wil keep them.

I was just looking for the Pro & Con's

Thanks for the advise
John

[Neonshrimp]

Good question Newjohn, I too have been keeping MTS in my shrimp tank and would like to know if they are competing with the shrimp for food. However, I still see my shrimp eating the food first and whatever is left the snails get to. I think it is also a speed factor, the shrimp are just faster than the snails.

[Newjohn]

The thing I did not mention in my first post, was, The tank I am most worried about is my RCS breeding tank.

It is a 30gal Breeder, with around 400 Shrimp, of various sizes.
And every bit of food counts.

It is a heavily planted tank. Mostly Java Moss.

John

[badflash]

My substrate is more MTS than gravel at this point. I see no downside to the MTS. The shrimp will get all they want and the snails will get the leftovers. You want that to happen.

[Newjohn]

badflash
That is what I was thinking.
I just wanted to make sure I was on the right track.

Thank You for Your Help
John