How much do inverts add to bio-load?

[SaltWaterNewb]

I am going to set up a 10g tank soon since I have to put my 29g project on hold and I am thinking of doing an invert/softie tank rather than having any fish. I was just wondering how much inverts add to the bio-load compared to fish? My invert list is not been made but will include a shrimp or two and at least several porcelain crabs and a few snails for clean up. On the fence about hermits but most likely will not have any. If the load would not be too great I might throw in another crab if there is not any problems with fighting or picking at corals. I am still researching the livestock list so nothing in stone yet except for the porcelains.

 

[Ritsuko N]

Inverts add very little to the bio-load. Be careful about the shrimp and crabs you choose as some can be preaditory to your snails. Some shrimp need to be kept one per a tank unless they are amated pair. Additionally some have unique food requirements, such as starfish to eat! Crabs can be really cool to observe in the tank as they go about thier business, but they can cause problems in the tank as well. Many while scavangers wont hesitate to bump off a snail or a shrimp if they get half a chance. There are many that are considered reef safe but in my experience they are reef safe with caution.

Neglecting the addition of at least a few micro sized dawft Blue leg hermits or a couple of Scarelt Reef Hermits I think is a bit of a mistake. By having crabs in the tank depending on the species may allow you to fore go them. Hermits definitely do have a tendency to be great at picking algae from rocks and other tank decorations more so than crabs will, so think about this before hand. You can choose to start off with none and always add them later though...

 

[SaltWaterNewb]

Well, most likely I will go with a small group of porcelain crabs, maybe three, a pom pom crab and a shrimp of some sort ot maybe a couple of sexy shrimp since they group well. I would have to judge the addition of hermits by how the tank is doing. I think that is a pretty safe, non-aggressive, reef friendly bunch.

 

[Braddles]

Even though this isnt my post - thank you for the reply - I was wondering this too. This is such a cool forum!