Kick start to shrimp rearing advices ~~~

[Spacioninho]

Hi all experienced bros/sis,

Would very much appreciate if you can give some tips and advices to a novice like me who is interested in rearing little red shrimps. Am certainly not a 3 minute headed person, and honest no matter harsh or not advices will be grateful.

As the CNY is nearing, i have intentions to rear those little red shrimps i believe they are called CRS? I was recently attracted to rearing those CRS and did some research on them. A shop call 'hell' caught my attention for having those wonderful eco-system tanks which looks attractive and easy to start with. Not only until i did my research and stumbled upon threads and advices which mentioned the cons of these shrimps having to cramp in the constraint area. The more i read, the more it make sense.

I would really like to hear from you guys advices for beginners wanting to start rearing crs. I did a lot of research before opening up an account because I see many people here sharing and giving tips and advices very generously.

But I have 0 knowledge and experience. Some say it can be cheap to start up while some say its an expensive hobby. So for a start, is it wise to spend sum of money on the initial stage like building the scape, getting the right filters, soils, plants, tanks, lighting and etc. and subsequently, starting from cheaper grade shrimps to the more exotic kinds? Including all the minerals and chemical in soils, perfecting the water ph, nitrate, temperature control equipment and stuffs, how much will this option cost ?

Or do bros here suggest that I slowly get 2nd hand items from the forum market, and bit by bit slowly build up the tank? learn from small mistake and grow? I would very very very VERY VERY much appreciate if someone can be my mentor and teacher, guiding me throughout or better help me kickstart this hobby. Because a novice guy like me, will definitely be a carrot if I approach fish stores outside.


which option is more viable and laymen? even for simple things like changing water, I understand that there are many process in btw. the mentor/teacher really have to teach me from ABC123 because, to me, changing water is open tap pour water in tank, close tap.... only until I do research.........

[xuan87]

I think I saw the same shop as you did! And it started off my interest in CRS too! Now I have two tanks, one with PBL and Fire black, the other with PRL and Fire red.

Anyway, just want to make a few corrections. Those shrimps that you saw in the "eco-system" tanks are not CRS, but opae ula. CRS are much harder to keep compared to opae ula. You can google the differences.

If you want to keep opae ula, you do not keep an expensive set up. In fact, I feel that you can even just use the same eco-system tank that you buy them in, you just need to feed, and change water regularly.

There are plenty of tutorials online that you can read, you don't really need someone here to mentor you and hold your hand. However, one piece of advice: Don't try to cheap out on this hobby. You'll end up upgrading to the more expensive equipment in the end, hence wasting the money you spent on your initial set of equipment.

[thebaldingaquarist]

If what you want is to start simple, i suggest you look at Red Cherry Shrimps (RCS). CRS stand for Crystal Red Shrimps.

CRS has many grades and all grades requires chilling of water. RCS has a few grades and lower grades (Sakura and normal) does not require chilled waters.

Look out for a thread that talks about grading for RCS in the inverts section of the forum.

Now, to set up a basic tank, you will need
1. Tank and stand
2. based on the size of the tank, decide the filter to run
2.1 filter accessories like double taps for easier maintenance
2.2 filter media, can be foam sponge or high end stuff like BIOHOMME plus amongst others.
3. water treatment, anti chlorine treatments. OPTIONAL item is a beneficial bacteria starter like what you mentioned about the bacter ball.
4. accessories to make your life easier
4.1 Fish net
4.2 tweezer

Once done, startup the tank, put in water.. start up the filter, put in bacteria starter.. wait... wait till its cycled.. probably 2 weeks to 4 months depending on the size of your tank.

Then maybe you want some plants??? then you will need to empty the tank, run the filter off another pail of water in the meantime and get additional
1. Light set for plants
2. soil to fill the tank, in the sticky of planted tanks section there is a thread on calculation of amount of soil needed.
3. Seachem EXCEL or equivalent, this is spot treatment for algae attacks
4. hornworts or frogbits to help absorb excess nitrates on start up due to soil. can throw away once your plants have settled in.
5. Of course.. plants... start with basic, low requirement plants. there are many threads talking about low requirement plants.
6. Scaping materials.. decide what kind of look you like.. rocks, wood or nothing at all.
7. scissors
8. planting tweezers if your tweezer in 4.2 is not good enough. All you need is to make sure the tweezer is long and has a long pointy tip
9. optional equipment if you are into MID tech tank, for more kinds of plants
9.1 CO2 tank
9.2 CO2 Solenoid and ikea electical timer or equivalent
9.3 CO2 piping (not normal air piping, its typically tougher and black in color)
9.4 CO2 diffuser/reactor. Choose between a diffuser or reactor out there. ask us if you are unsure, you will receive plenty of inputs to point everywhere.. HAHA
9.5 CO2 indicator to indicate how much CO2 is dissolved in the water
10 then if you want high tech stuff,
10.1 Chiller, make sure the chiller is 1 grade higher than what is required. ask if unsure what you need. will need water volume size and tank size
11. Basic test kits
11.1 Ammonia
11.2 Nitrates
11.3 Nitrites
11.4 KH
11.5 PH
12. Algae crew. For the exact number to get for each of the below, can ask us... we can advise only after we know your scape and tank size.
12.1 Amano shrimp
12.2 Nerite snails
12.3 Ottos
13. Last but not least.. Fertilizers
13.1 Macro fertilizers. some people go for all in one solutions.. some like it N, P and K style. meaning they buy 1 fert for Nitrogen, 1 fert for Potassium 1 fert for Phosphorous.
13.2 Micro fertilizers. some like all in one solutions, some like to get the IRON, MG, Calcium, Boron, etc.. separately. I recommend to get all in one solution for 13.1 and 13.2

Once the plants are in and settled down and nitrates and low, ammonia zero...
Then you want to plan for shrimps.. before you put the shrimp in, you need
1. shrimps. this i cannot help you. you need to follow the rite of passage. Stand in front of the shrimp tank and look like an idiot for hours looking at shrimp. I still doing my rounds...
2. shrimp food
3. small pail
4. air piping
5. if you are into CRS and other high end stuff
5.1 Chiller (if not already bought)
5.2 Shrimp products. i won't list out this.. each shrimpie has their own favourite.. you can ask if unsure.
5.2 Advanced test kits for
5.2.1 ammonia
5.2.2 Nitrates
5.2.3 Nitrites
5.2.4 Copper
5.2.5 KH
5.2.6 PH
5.2.7 GH
5.2.8 MG
5.2.9 iron

small pail and air piping are for acclimatization by drip method. Search in the invert section of the forum on how to do it.

Thats it for equipment list. If you want specifics like model numbers and brand and contacts, you can ask for it.. each hobbyist here has their inclinations.


My advice on procurement..
1. equipment buy from forummers if the brand is one of those "never fail in 10 years" kind
2. Plants, moss ..etc buy from forummers. hobbyists sell submerged form of plants.. save you the hassle of converting them and see them change to a shape and size you don't like.
3. Shrimps.. ALWAYS see before buying. shrimps change color when in shock. some die. when in transport, make sure there are plants or things for them to hold on to, if not they might die due to eliptic shock.
4. rocks, wood.. bring a spray bottle of water before buying. spray on the rock and wood to see the color and imagine that color in your tank. if buying from forummers, can request for a picture of it in their tank (with water of course). for this item, buy anywhere is the same. if you are patient, there are folks that sell are very cheap prices because they are decommissioning their tanks..
5. livestocks or fauna, call the LFS to see when their next shipment is coming in. go on that day to receive the stock in transit. check the fauna before buying. if the bag they came in (from distributor) has many dead specimens... don't buy.

Hope its helpful.

[AQMS]

Fuuuh!!! very detail....

[thebaldingaquarist]

Fuuuh!!! very detail....

Some will say I am spoiling the hobby for him...

[Spacioninho]

my goodess... indeed aquarium people are very kind n generous on their sharing... I need some time to read the long detailed post. because many terms look alien to me.. day by day, I am slowly gaining for knowledge...

[Mookie]

Eric, can share what's is the All-in one Fert you use? 13.1 + 13.2 = ??

I'm also as new as you Spacioninho, just started buying my tank 2 days ago and yet to have it setup haha after reading for 3 days, just like to share that majority bros here go for or would highly recommend ADA Amazonian soil ($40 I bought from Yishun Blk 61, Eheim canister filter ( would depend on the size of your tank) but if you using something like a 2ft tank, classic 250 ie 2213 is recommended. I got mine for $120 also at Y 618. Hope my noob input is helpful haha

[Mookie]

An admin should make some good thread on "how to start a shrimp tank" sticky. Saves us noobs a lot of time having to look everywhere for each detail haha. Also saves old birds saliva

[chansl]

Visit a shop that specialise in shrimps, you wont go wrong

[stormhawk]

I'll give you 2 pieces of advice.

1: You cannot get the tank ready in time for CNY, because cycling will take awhile, even with those biological starters.
2: IF you want something more hardy and is more tolerant of newbie keepers, get Cherry Shrimp instead of CRS. They are cheap and easily available, buy the specific grade you prefer, like Sakura or Fire Reds.

The rest of the key points has already been covered by Erctheanda.

[felix_fx2]

An admin should make some good thread on "how to start a shrimp tank" sticky. Saves us noobs a lot of time having to look everywhere for each detail haha. Also saves old birds saliva

noobs will always ....
make new threads to ask
browse from tapatalk
find out he or she ain't the only asking same thing and goes "eh he he he he"
say many times "thanks"

some stuff are indeed already pinned, some stuff best to ask and learn from seniors.

TS, you won't make it on time to have a matured setup tank before cny.
you can by all means start it, there are commercial bacteria kick starters around
BUT if there are some loss don't be sad & learn from it.

A complete cycled tank may take anytime from 3-8 weeks and more. it don't mean you cannot add livestock.I add livestock from week 1 frankly. if any deaths, I always go.... " aiyo!!! why you die.... "



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[thebaldingaquarist]

Eric, can share what's is the All-in one Fert you use? 13.1 + 13.2 = ??

I'm also as new as you Spacioninho, just started buying my tank 2 days ago and yet to have it setup haha after reading for 3 days, just like to share that majority bros here go for or would highly recommend ADA Amazonian soil ($40 I bought from Yishun Blk 61, Eheim canister filter ( would depend on the size of your tank) but if you using something like a 2ft tank, classic 250 ie 2213 is recommended. I got mine for $120 also at Y 618. Hope my noob input is helpful haha

All in one ferts for macros and micros are different. meaning to say, if you ask me to get you all the fertilizers you need for dosing into the water, i will at least get you 2 bottles.

An example is the lushgro macros and the lushgro micros. the reason for the difference in names of the macro and micros is in the amount you dose. you would dose more macros and less micros.

[bennyc]

Personally, i think newbie, like me , like to find/explore information, old birds enjoy giving info. So it is a win win situation.
In this internet age, info is readily available, just have to find it, info is free and admin is working for free so i have no complains.

Anyway, i would not recommend starting with CRS, try with cherry/sakura/ fire red, they are same breed just different grade, but inbreed and without culling, slowly they will all become cherries.
When you think you have master it then slowly upgrade to a higher difficulty shrimp.

[thebaldingaquarist]

An admin should make some good thread on "how to start a shrimp tank" sticky. Saves us noobs a lot of time having to look everywhere for each detail haha. Also saves old birds saliva

I should think so, but thinking more into it begs the question of
"how do i phrase or structure it such that its easy to understand for new hobbyists? And how do i phrase it such that i am not promoting a specific trend or product?"

A shrimp tank has many forms and there are many shrimps out there. each type has its own requirements... permute that with a shrimp hobbyist's own beliefs and inclinations.. results in too many variations.

[felix_fx2]

I should think so, but thinking more into it begs the question of
"how do i phrase or structure it such that its easy to understand for new hobbyists? And how do i phrase it such that i am not promoting a specific trend or product?"

A shrimp tank has many forms and there are many shrimps out there. each type has its own requirements... permute that with a shrimp hobbyist's own beliefs and inclinations.. results in too many variations.

I will ask a very practical question.

who will do? who has this understanding level & time to do it?

hobbyist engaging each other learns better then reading pinned posts that 7/10 new members do not see since they browse via tapatalk...


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[KilliNewbie]

Yea the cycling period can take some time. I too started up a tank for CNY 1 week ago, not sure if I'm in time for it

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[bennyc]

If shrimp, 1 week sure no chance. Haha. Oops... Hope i am not wet blanket.

By CNY, mayb 3weeks, depends if you have seed any BB, can try luck.

[KilliNewbie]

Putting in Dario Dario or oto first :3

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[Spacioninho]

Like many advices here given, it's already not possible to start before the CNY, in that case, I will not have to rush things. I'll start it as a hobby." Hobby never dies !!!"
I guess i'll probably listen to fellow bros here advice and stay simple.
Start with RCS instead of CRS.... This will be 1 thing I confirmed. 1 things, what is the right amount of shrimp for 1' tank ?
Going forward, as mentioned im looking at the 1' tank, anyone have any recommendation filter for small tank ? Do I have to know what is the media? Or it comes along with purchase ?
RCS doesn't require a chiller (as per bro erc's advice) so I would skip this item.
I believe the amozonia soil which is very much talk about from shrimp rearing is a good choice, i'll take that.
Is lighting important here ? I'll like to have some moss/driftwood in tank.

With the above basic setup secured, next will be the water treatment advice. What chemical do I need, correct me if I am wrong pls.
1) Seachem Excel - For algae attack
2) Anti Chlorine - For water treatment
3) All in 1 solution for macro & micro fertilizer

Do I need any minerals?
What anti ammonia & nitrate & nitrite and chemical to control the ph ? Do they come all in 1 or no.3 fertilizer will do ?

[Urban Aquaria]

If you are using ADA Amazonia aquasoil, then no need any additives to control the pH and kH, the aquasoil will automatically control it for you.

Note that ADA aquasoil will release more ammonia and nutrients initially (its designed for planted tanks), so you may need abit more time to fully cycle the tank.

Use an anti-chlorine water conditioner to treat your tap water during each water change, like Seachem Prime, it detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrates for up to 48 hours, gives the beneficial bacteria enough time to process them.

Seachem Excel is good as a carbon supplement, but try not to overdose it in shrimp tanks as they tend to be abit more sensitive to the effects of higher dosages and some types of moss may die off if its applied directly to them too.

For just moss in the tank, it not really necessary for additional fertilizers (especially during the initial period), the aquasoil will already provide more than enough nutrients for moss, which are slow growing with low nutrient takeup rate anyways. If you do need to dose ferts, can look at all-in-one ferts from Seachem or Tropica.