Water change for shrimp tanks

**xxzagxx** · 4th Dec 2014, 07:24

I'm new to the shrimp keeping hobby and would like to know how do you all keep to your water changes

Currently I'm doing the following :
1. Change out 10% once a week
2. Top up wile keeping the gh to 5. Add mosura mineral plus.

Do you all just pour the top up water immediately or do you all drip the water back?

**kurty** · 4th Dec 2014, 09:25

just change 20-30% of the water each week, no need to top up.
keep clean, with stronger capacity filter.

thats how i handle them..

**acetone** · 5th Dec 2014, 18:15

I guess it also depends on evaporation rate of the tank... i used to have a fan and had to frequently do top-ups

**Urban Aquaria** · 5th Dec 2014, 20:37

Originally Posted by xxzagxx

Do you all just pour the top up water immediately or do you all drip the water back?

I guess it depends on how "sensitive" your shrimps are to changes in water parameters... most shrimps species can easily acclimatize to 10% water change just poured into the tank, but if you are worried or have expensive shrimps, then slow dripping the new water into the tank would be best, it just takes more time.

**T00500** · 6th Dec 2014, 14:11

I'm still struggling to get it right as well... been changing one dao huay tub every 3 to 4 days and replacing with boiled water... a cherry shrimp or 2 die after every water change.... the 1ft cube tank is about a month and a half old.... just planted with mini fissidens and the whole top covered with frogbits...no tools to test the water but water temps are between 30 to 27...started with 11 cherries now down to 4...

**xxzagxx** · 6th Dec 2014, 21:09

Originally Posted by T00500

I'm still struggling to get it right as well... been changing one dao huay tub every 3 to 4 days and replacing with boiled water... a cherry shrimp or 2 die after every water change.... the 1ft cube tank is about a month and a half old.... just planted with mini fissidens and the whole top covered with frogbits...no tools to test the water but water temps are between 30 to 27...started with 11 cherries now down to 4...

Likewise. I have been trying to match the right water parameters and i still keep getting gradual casualties. At least one every 3-5 days. My shrimplets have grown but are still dying off slowly.

**mUAr_cHEe** · 6th Dec 2014, 21:21

Originally Posted by T00500

I'm still struggling to get it right as well... been changing one dao huay tub every 3 to 4 days and replacing with boiled water... a cherry shrimp or 2 die after every water change.... the 1ft cube tank is about a month and a half old.... just planted with mini fissidens and the whole top covered with frogbits...no tools to test the water but water temps are between 30 to 27...started with 11 cherries now down to 4...

I think your problem is using boiled water. Boiled water has no oxygen in it. There is a change that you might be suffocating your shrimps, but I do doubt this is the case since the amount of changed water is quite minimal. Over-boiled water also have extra minerals in it which might be harmful to your shrimps. I assume that you also, at least cooled your water before pouring it in, otherwise that is also obviously another problem. (Sorry if I sound harsh here but I am just a little concerned. I had the same mindset many years back but I never got around doing it. I did not have enough time to boil water enough for my first 2 feet tank.)

Your shrimps are better off with 'fresh' tap water than boiled water. If you want to get rid of the chlorine, you can either let your water age over night or you can use a water conditioner like Seachem Prime.

You are doing the right thing by changing the water more frequently but in smaller volume. I think with a 1 feet tank, you can be a little more 'aggressive' and change 2 soya bean curd tub worth of water every 3 to 4 days.

In my previous nano set up, I had no problem keeping my shrimps with normal tap water.

**T00500** · 6th Dec 2014, 21:33

Thanks Muar Chee...its boiled water after its cooled to room temp....I even added a couple of drops of JBL Biotopol.....no luck on them breeding as well....

**mUAr_cHEe** · 6th Dec 2014, 21:43

Originally Posted by T00500

Thanks Muar Chee...its boiled water after its cooled to room temp....I even added a couple of drops of JBL Biotopol.....no luck on them breeding as well....

No worries. Phew. Breeding is a whole different level from keeping them alive. Try to introduce some hiding places like breeding caves or maybe a cluster of hornworts or cabombas. It will make the shrimps feel more at ease and that will get them in the mood.