Setting up a shrimp tank

[Kevino]

Hi Everyone,

I've intended to setup a shrimp tank in my office and following are the equipment I'm starting with:

1) Tank = 14" x 8.5" x 10.5"
2) Gravel 1" thick cause don't intend to grow embedded plants
3) 1.5ft, 18W or 36W PL light since it is individual switch
4) Is CO2 required? Intended to grow moss
5) Small internal filter

What else do I need? Please comment on my initial setup items.

Regards,
Kevin Lee

[cairocks]

Hi Everyone,

I've intended to setup a shrimp tank in my office and following are the equipment I'm starting with:

1) Tank = 14" x 8.5" x 10.5"
2) Gravel 1" thick cause don't intend to grow embedded plants
3) 1.5ft, 18W or 36W PL light since it is individual switch
4) Is CO2 required? Intended to grow moss
5) Small internal filter

What else do I need? Please comment on my initial setup items.

Regards,
Kevin Lee

Hi,
I had set up a slightly smaller size shrimp tank about a month ago and you could read about it in the following thead
http://www.shrimpnow.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115

I do not use CO2 and I am basically growing christmas moss, erect moss, some java moss, a unknown moss and java fern. since you are having your tank in the office, think there should be aircon so temp may not be an issue. But note that bee and tiger shrimp prefer lower temperature. I am using the aircon at night and also have a PC fan blowing 24/7 but evaporation is an issue, I basically have to top up 3 to 5 paper cups of water everyday.

That's all for now.Hope this helps.

[Kevino]

Thanks. What is the light wattage you are using? Do the shrimps need air? Since there is no CO2 for photosynthesis, do I need to add in an air pump for air?

[juggler]

Can also try low-tech setups. See http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=11044 for inspiration.

[cairocks]

Thanks. What is the light wattage you are using? Do the shrimps need air? Since there is no CO2 for photosynthesis, do I need to add in an air pump for air?

I am using a 11w table lamp set to light up 9 hours from 6pm till 3am with the help of a timer. I chose this hours as the temp in the evening is cooler. Want to preserve the coolness for the aircon for as long as possible through the day. Now thinking of reducing to 8 hours as I had found some strains of algae on the java fern.
I do not use air pump for air as I think the fan and the water dripping back from the hang on filter had create enough surface movement for air to dissolve into the water. Had observed the shrimps and fishes throughout the day and did not notice them comming to the surface to grasp for air, so I think it is ok.
I prefer not having an air pump as I found that the spray from busting bubbles tend to spray all over the area around the pump.

[Kevino]

Thanks for the tips guys. Will keep you guys posted. FYI, I've brought my tank over to my office today. And will get some gravel and internal filter tomorrow. Any recommendation on gravel and filter?

Regards,
Kevin Lee

[Kevino]

Hey Guys,

Here is my completed shrimp tank. Please comment.

[arclaveus]

IMHO, i tink its too bare prob due to its age Anyway i tink u shld provide more hiding places for ur shrimps perhaps like another piece of DW to cr8 an arc like shape or smth

[Simon]

yes, I have to agree with arclaveus, its just too bare and its looks symmetrical , doesnt look to good in that area. But if you intention is just to cultivate shrimps then perhaps a simple, clean layout like your's will do/

[Kevino]

Thanks guys. Will wait for a while and monitor the moss growing.

I happened to find some very fine strings of greenish fibre stuff hanging on the log. Can you advise what it is and it is harmful and how to remove it?

Regards,
Kevin Lee

[augi_ow]

i think your tank your should have a moss wall... would be quite nice...since you have no backing....
get an arch shape driftwood like the rest said..... and foreground...perhaps your can drop by NA and get mini moss....
moss wall and log should use taiwan or christmas.....

[blueray]

agreed with Bro augi_ow....added a moss wall will look nicer and it definately provide the shrimp more hidding place

[Kevino]

Thanks guys. Will consider. Can anyone on the greeny stuff I'm talking about?

[DRQ]

does your fishes attack the shrimps?
those are cherry shrimps?
cuz i intend to put some cherries in my small tank full of other fishes.. together with yamatos.. wondering if they will survive..

[blueray]

how many fishes are there inside and what type of fishes? mostly I think is quite hard to mix...at least that how i feel

[rocketshrimp]

Can mix...but you won't get next generation.

However Puffer is bad. Puffer is on top of shrimps in the food chain.

[DRQ]

how many fishes are there inside and what type of fishes? mostly I think is quite hard to mix...at least that how i feel

there are abt 10 fishes of varied species (tho all are peaceful fishes, and no puffers) : cardinals, goldfishes, angel, guppies, platy..

[DRQ]

Can mix...but you won't get next generation.

However Puffer is bad. Puffer is on top of shrimps in the food chain.

ic.. can survive is more than enuf... not thinking about next gen.. hehe

thanks for the input.