Chris2022 Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 Hi Fam, I have a 10 gal shrimp tank and the glass on the back and sides is getting a build up of algae. No heater, but the temp is generally room temp. Could I get a ret.hillstream loach to help keep the glass clean? Does anyone have experience with this or recommend a more suitable alternative? Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Parker Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 Some people make a single work, but generally hillstream loaches are best kept in groups. You could do a school of otocinculus cats, or nerite snails! I was very impressed when I got my nerite snails, they are much more active and eat a lot more algae than mystery snails. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 I have a single Hillstream, Kirby does great- seems better at keeping plants clean than the glass sometimes so they are paired with a single Nerite in a Flex9. Kirby is one of the lights of my aquarium life. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JettsPapa Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 I have a nerite snail in most of my shrimp tanks, but I'm only concerned with keeping the front, and maybe one end, clean. I let whatever grow on the back and other side(s) for the shrimp to graze on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2022 Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 On 6/13/2022 at 10:26 AM, Hannah Parker said: Some people make a single work, but generally hillstream loaches are best kept in groups. You could do a school of otocinculus cats, or nerite snails! I was very impressed when I got my nerite snails, they are much more active and eat a lot more algae than mystery snails. I really want to stay away from oto's. I really like the fish but I've had a really hard time keeping them alive in the 20 gal main tank. Ill research nerite snail. Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 I agree @Chris2022, I love my Otos but they are more dificult fish and I wouldn't recommend any less than 6. While they are low on the bio load that can still be an issue in a shrimp tank as they could potentially compete for similar foods. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Parker Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 On 6/13/2022 at 1:37 PM, Chris2022 said: I really want to stay away from oto's. I really like the fish but I've had a really hard time keeping them alive in the 20 gal main tank. Ill research nerite snail. Thanks Totally fair, I've always been too scared to try and keep them too. Which is a shame because they're so cute!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2022 Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 On 6/13/2022 at 10:33 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: I have a single Hillstream, Kirby does great- seems better at keeping plants clean than the glass sometimes so they are paired with a single Nerite in a Flex9. Kirby is one of the lights of my aquarium life. I like the idea of having a loach. Especially if it eats similar food as the shrimp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemon Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 A nerite snail should work, also a magnetic algae scraper doesn't take to long. btw the moss on the rock is beautiful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 @Chris2022 1 should be fine- even 2- they are small and not big on bioload. Shrimp tanks usually run cooler too (Hills like lower temps) so that's mutually beneficial. Seriously one of my most favorite water pets. I couldn't recommend them more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2022 Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 On 6/13/2022 at 10:52 AM, Lemon said: A nerite snail should work, also a magnetic algae scraper doesn't take to long. btw the moss on the rock is beautiful I a bit weary about using the algae scraper on the back glass. I planted the plants really close to the back and I dont want to mess them up. Thanks, Im hoping the moss covers those rocks completely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebSills Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 I have 3 small nerites in my shrimp tank and a pretty big one in my Betta tank and the glass is always spotless, they never stop moving and working to find any spec of algae in the tank - I must admit though, hillstream loaches are SO cool! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJ Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 I have a herd of bladder snails in my shrimp tank and no alge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabokovfan87 Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 On 6/13/2022 at 10:22 AM, Chris2022 said: Could I get a ret.hillstream loach to help keep the glass clean? Does anyone have experience with this or recommend a more suitable alternative? The best thing I've found to clean glass is a rubberlip pleco. You can get a brisstlenose as well, but I think the first one does a lot better at cleaning glass. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVoyager31 Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 I second the nerite snail(s). Fantastic at cleaning glass, they’ll have it super clean in just a couple days! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now