Feeding and Nutrition :: bottom feeders

[pumpkinsherbet]

i was thinking of getting a bottom feeder to help clean up the excess food. help out my filter a bit until i can afford a much needed upgrade.

is there any way to guarantee it won't become food, or should i just keep it in a separate container? i remember i had that ghost shrimp for like 4 days before it became lunch. safest bet, just clear the turtles out while the feeder's doing it's work? how often should i do this (to ensure their proper nutrients)?

any advice?

[mkoby]

Anything you put in the tank has the potential to become food. Feeder fish such as rosey red minnows will pick at the crumbs on the bottom of the tank. You could also try feeding in a seperate container. It helps, but it's not perfect. Also, a gravel cleaner (siphon) will vaccuum the debris. They average $5 at Walmart.

[missibsu]

I did all of my research before purchasing a pleco for my turtle tank, knowing full well that he might become food. When I first put him in, he was fine, then the turtles started harassing. I felt bad for the poor thing and removed him. He now lives with my feeder fish in my breeding tank. I always thought I would remove the turtles and let him clean the tank some...bottom line, I did it once and it was too much hassle.

I personally think you are better off purchasing a filter that is going to work for you and doing regular maintenance.

[pumpkinsherbet]

yeah but bottom feeder = $0.50 new very necessary filter = no less than $50. bank account is going to be at $4 for the next two weeks (bills really piled up on me this month)

[xsavingsaturdayx]

yeah but bottom feeder = $0.50 new very necessary filter = no less than $50. bank account is going to be at $4 for the next two weeks (bills really piled up on me this month)

Bottom feeder fish cost like 3 to 6$ each! Since you dont have that much money now,honestly i wouldnt get those fish.It would be a shame to throw out that much money for a fish that can be possibly get eaten hours/minutes after you put him in with the turtles.

Try doing more partial water changes and try feeding them in a seperate container until you can afford a better filter.

[turtle_nz]

I've got 2 pleco in my tank, they have been in there for 6 months so far.
my turt is only small tho.

Some friends of mine put one in with their 20yo+ turt and it lasted 5 mins.

[pumpkinsherbet]

yeah but bottom feeder = $0.50 new very necessary filter = no less than $50. bank account is going to be at $4 for the next two weeks (bills really piled up on me this month)

Bottom feeder fish cost like 3 to 6$ each! Since you dont have that much money now,honestly i wouldnt get those fish.It would be a shame to throw out that much money for a fish that can be possibly get eaten hours/minutes after you put him in with the turtles.

Try doing more partial water changes and try feeding them in a seperate container until you can afford a filter.

i got my shrimp for $0.52 for two...

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Werent you talking about Plecos?


If you mean ghost shrimp,they are realy cheap and OK janitors.But i dont think they are going to keep things crystal clear for that long,you can get them but i still recommend you do partial water changes atleast every other day,turtles are realy messy and can foul the water realy quick.

[pumpkinsherbet]

nope just anything that will be a temporary fix for my inadequate filters. i do clean the water everyday already, just to help out the filter. i just thought a little extra help would be nice

[rocketright]

I think shrimp wouldn't be the best choice... I think a pleco would be better, I have on and my turtles don't even pay attension to it... But don't buy one if you have beraly any money.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

nope just anything that will be a temporary fix for my inadequate filters. i do clean the water everyday already, just to help out the filter. i just thought a little extra help would be nice

If your doing partial water changes everyday then that is good .Keep it up! Anyways a good filter for a 20 gallon tank like yours is the whisper 60 or the aqua tech 60,they cost no more than 30$ at walmart and they do a good job.

[pumpkinsherbet]

that's good, i'll look into it when i get paid. i bought 3 ghost shrimp. the smallest one is like barely less than an inch long. do you think the little ones could eat those or will they be safe outside? if they need ''protecting" i already have that prepped.

[missibsu]

The thing that you have to consider with any bottom feeder is that they produce their own waste. In some cases I would almost swear that they produce more than they consume, lol.

As for purchasing cheap consumers, eventually they are going to get eaten, and you will have to replace them. Instead, save the money you would spend on the bottom feeders and put it towards your filter. Eventually the money will be there.

[pumpkinsherbet]

haha those three cost me a quarter it's okay

[4Lancer4]

i want ghost shrimp for a quarter!!!!!, the closest place i know that sells it cheaper is in a fish pet store which is like an hour or two away from my house. >.<