A method for use in a distributed storage network includes determining storage parameters associated with error-encoded data slices generated from data to be stored in the distributed storage network. The storage parameters include information indicating a read threshold number of error-encoded data slices required to recover the data. Storage requirements of a storage unit included in the distributed storage network are also determined. The storage unit includes multiple memory devices configured to store one or more error-encoded data slices of the read threshold number of error-encoded data slices. A number of the one or more error-encoded data slices are stored in the storage unit based on the storage requirements of the storage unit and the storage parameters.