Is bottom feeder always needed?

[RIFishbowl]

I am about to stock a 16 gallon planted tank 24" x 11.5" x 14" high.I am looking to do a nice size school 18-20 Ember Tetras.Not sure what else maybe some Nerite snails. I keep reading a majority of people looking for bottom feeders. Is a bottom feeder absolutely necessary,I do weekly water changes and try to limit feeding.The problem I find with the possible options are the amount of them you need, groups of six or more typically. Any suggestion would be great Bottom cleaner or not I guess is the question.Also looking for possible tank mates for the tetras.Tank is uncovered so shrimp are not an option.The gravel I have is great for Cories either, kind of sharp.

 

[Thunder_o_b]

I keep corys not out of need but because I love them.

A properly maintained aquarium does not need a cleanup crew.

 

[MacZ]

"Cleaning crews" are generally not necessary. Keep fish because you like them, not because somebody tells you to keep them. There is no reason you have to have any type of bottom dweller.

If you want to do a tank with ember tetras, go for sand substrate instead of gravel and regularly add leaf litter to start a mulm layer. Then bottom cleaning isn't necessary either.

 

[RIFishbowl]

"Cleaning crews" are generally not necessary. Keep fish because you like them, not because somebody tells you to keep them. There is no reason you have to have any type of bottom dweller.

If you want to do a tank with ember tetras, go for sand substrate instead of gravel and regularly add leaf litter to start a mulm layer. Then bottom cleaning isn't necessary either.

Is sand better for the fish or is for the cleaning of the tank, it is fairly small size gravel.I usually have some almond leaves in the tank once It gets going.Thanks for the help.

 

[MacZ]

Mulm forms a bioactive layer on sand. I haven't tried it with gravel as I generally don't use gravel and you don't hear of successful leaf litter beds on gravel.
I'd add the leaves as early as possible and let them completely rot to sludge.

 

[KingOscar]

Snails or shrimp will clean up any food that may be left on the substrate.

 

[RIFishbowl]

Snails or shrimp will clean up any food that may be left on the substrate.

I have decided to go with some snails, I have a nerite and mystery snail in a 12 gallon long and they are doing great in there.I'll do that in the 16 gallon also.

 

[SparkyJones]

I don't keep bottom feeders, I could, I just don't currently it's not a problem if you are doing your tank maintenence really. And as far as "cleaning crew" they don't do too much really as far as cleaning, maybe ottos will knock things off plants that settle there. Snails or shrimp, same kind of thing, maybe they keep things from settling on plant leaves and stuff.

As far as river rock or gravel, everything eventually settles into it and out of sight. From my experience all this leads to is nitrates and nutrients building up as it all breaks down over time if you aren't vacuuming it out regularly. Yes there's some level of bioactive function, but not really necessary if you have decentfiltration, and allowing build up is usually a detriment, because it sits there down in the substrate on the bottom glass buried, and basically full of decayer bacterias and some of the nitrifiers. But mostly bad bacteria for the fish if they got into it.. like bottom feeders would if they can get access into it.

Even with bottom feeders you are going to need to clean and vacuum out the substrate. Theres no getting around it really although some people think stacking out with cleaners is going to save them from having to do cleanings. It's a minor help at best.

 

[MacZ]

As far as river rock or gravel, everything eventually settles into it and out of sight. From my experience all this leads to is nitrates and nutrients building up as it all breaks down over time if you aren't vacuuming it out regularly. Yes there's some level of bioactive function, but not really necessary if you have decentfiltration, and allowing build up is usually a detriment, because it sits there down in the substrate on the bottom glass buried, and basically full of decayer bacterias and some of the nitrifiers. But mostly bad bacteria for the fish if they got into it.. like bottom feeders would if they can get access into it.

Even with bottom feeders you are going to need to clean and vacuum out the substrate. Theres no getting around it really although some people think stacking out with cleaners is going to save them from having to do cleanings. It's a minor help at best.

I don't contest this fully, but I have one thing to add: This all only applies to substrate with bigger grain sizes. Sand doesn't need cleaning in that manner and I think I have made clear that this is not going to work with gravel.

 

[SparkyJones]

I don't contest this fully, but I have one thing to add: This all only applies to substrate with bigger grain sizes. Sand doesn't need cleaning in that manner and I think I have made clear that this is not going to work with gravel.

I don't disagree with you, I'm just reasoning the gravel and larger perspective and yes, allowing mulm doesn't work long term with coarse substrate it kind of cakes and compacts out of sight and out of mind, and becomes a low O2 zone and a home for the bad bacteria to multiply unchecked as opposed to where mulm that rides on the top of sand, stays oxygenated and a pretty good place for nitrifying bacteria and small organisms to feed on.

What works for sand doesn't work for gravel. Two completely different strategies for maintenence

 

[MacZ]

What works for sand doesn't work for gravel. Two completely different strategies for maintenence

My point.

 

[RIFishbowl]

Thanks for all the help, my take from all of this is , if you do not do tank maintenance on fairly scheduled basis, it does not matter what you have in the tank you think is helping you clean, it will be problematic. I I have small tanks and the maintenance is pretty easy. Snails it is , mainly because they are cool to watch, any thing else is a benefit.