Bros here,
I've got a problem right now. 2 weeks back, i've revamped my 1.5feet tank. Changed the gravel to using Aquasoil, put in spiky moss as foreground and some bit of willow moss.
Cycled my tank for 2 weeks then slowy introduced shrimps into my tank just yesterday. Noticed that they started to pass out really soon. Slowly 1 by 1, all started dying. Even when i introduced 1 CRS into the tank, while i was acclimatising it to my tank, slowly adding water to the package. Noticed that the shrimp pass out even before i introduced it into tank(i took about 3hours to acclimatise it)
Once i overheard from Mr Chan telling a customer that the aquasoil(initally) it's not too good for shrimps keeping because it's pH is too low for it. Isit True? I was also told my forum bro here, the aquasoil is too acidic for it.
Was advised that i need to cycle the tank longer, wait till my plants starts to mature then start to introduce shrimps.
Was advise to keep changing water frequently to overcome the problem too. Any more advise?
Did i really make a wrong move in using Aquasoil as my gravel?
Any here ever have success with keeping shrimps with Aquasoil only? My tank temp hovers around 24 to 25 degree.
Really need more inputs from you guys. Much appreciated!
My yamatos are happy in the tank. Not sure about CRS though...
I did hear people saying the water from ADA soil is too acidic for them. But if they are acclimatised properly, there shouldn't be a problem.
I believe that during the acclimatisation, the change in the temperature might be still too sudden although water is slowly added...
read from one of the bros over at shrimp forum that new ada aquasoil contains quite abit of ammonia... shrimps got hit by ammonia/nitrite spike?
Cheers,
Melvin Lim
i believe you had the same problem as me..
if you read my thread, "sensitivity of cherries and yamatos", you will noticed we had about the same problem... it's actually not due to my base fert or the ADA soil... i guess the tank just needs more time for it to cycle... like what some of the bros are saying.. introduce the shrimps at a later stage... let the tank cycle first... then check the pH before you add in the shrimps...
Regards,
胡炽文
Sherman Foo
I really don't see any issue with aquasoil except that it makes measuring CO2 difficult. All you need to do for a new tank is to simply add "mulm" aka dirt from an established filter to the substrate bottom and the filter as well as high plant mass with some floaters for non-CO2 type tank and that's about it. The bacteria and plants would go after the NH3/NH4 source immediately and you shouldn't have issues. The other thing is having enough surface movement so that gas exchange can occur to allow O2 to get in if its running low.
Regards
Peter Gwee
Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger
so am i right that i should let the tank cycle abit longer. Wait till the plants starts to grow more matured before i try to add shrimps?
Do i still carry on the normal regime of changing water weekly?
If you want to use adasoil with shrimps, get yourself a ammonia test kits, and check the ammonia level every 3 days during setup, to make sure it is zero, the plus about 3 to 4 days, the nitrite usually will be converted to nitrate by then.
Never assumpt time will do the job, sometime the process take longer, some time take shorter even with a matured filter. Get a test kits to see how high the ammonia level adasoil can provide, dont assume initiately, BB can do the job.
For shrimp tanks, you can do a few WC at the begiining to reduce the ammomia at alternate days to reduce the ammonia level, monitor the ammonia level and nitrite level, if they fall to zero, your tank is safe to introduce shrimps.
What's ur PH now, kemp? You did anything to prevent PH from dropping?
silane
Silane,
I don't have any pH test kit yet, but i've just gotten it from my bro, will be measuring it tonight when i'm back. (hope nothing too drastic from the result), will update you again.
My filter is relatively new, bought it when i've revamped my tank with the Aquasoil (using Eden 501). Basically it's a 1.5feet tank, with willow moss on a small DW. with the foreground cover with small pieces of wiremesh with spiky moss on it.
Hope to hear more inputs from you. Much appreciated!
Originally Posted by kemp
If you are using standard amount of Adasoil for your tank, say 1 pack is recommended for 1 2 ft tank and you did not do anything to your PH, you will get at low 6.
Initital ammonia level is measured at 4 to 8mg/l and you mentioned that you are a new filter for tank, I can be sure that your ammonia level will not be zero after 2 weeks, if you did not pretreat your adasoil and/or use BB additive.
And that's why all the rumours of Adasoil is not suitable for shrimp tank come from, I am not a advocator of using Adasoil for shrimp tank, but I think all gravel works. Adasoil needs alot more care and patience when using with shrimps at initial setup, after that, it should be smooth sailing.
silane
Silane,
you've hit the right nail! just measured my pH, it's really at 6. Just changed 40% of water. Do i still continue to do WC and then monitor the situation? When's the right pH that i can start to introduce shrimps? Around 7?
With ADA soil, your pH will remain at around 6 for some time regardless of the number of water change...
Artificial Intelligence
Hi Kemp,
Anywhere between 6-7 is fine, what you should be worried about is fluctuations in between. I've tried Diamonds in ADA and it worked out fine.
Something about the water & the fishes that calms me down.
Kemp,
What shrimps are you keeping?
I dare not generalise the PH requirement for all shrimps, but my bet is around 6.6 to 7.0 for most of the algae eater shrimps we have in shops. Although shrimps can survive in low PH, but from my experience, CRS or diamond can live well in less than 6.5 but their color is bad, so try to tune it upward at least 6.6 to via water changes and coral chips.
For your case, it was ammonia that has killed the shrimps.
Last edited by silane; 7th Jun 2006 at 03:27.
silane
Silane,
I'm trying to keep CRS if possible. But before i try to add any of them, wanted to try with cherries first.
You mentioned coral chips? so do you encourage me adding them into my filter?
just an update, i've been doing regular Water change for the past few days (alternate days). Spiky moss are growing well. Should i continue this water change regime for the next 2 weeks before i test the pH again?
Hi Kemp,
Sorry for the late reply.
What is the ammonia level and pH now?
silane
Silane,
no need sorry for that.
I've yet to measure the pH since it's only less than a week from the last round that i measured it. But i'll do it tonight and keep you updated.
By the way, sorry for this. how do i measure the ammonia level?
Another update, just measured my tank's pH, it's still at 6. (After a week of water change done every alternate days). Spiky moss foreground and willow moss on DW seems doing very fine, growing healthy.
Add in some coral chip, the pH will get up very slowly at first then can be quite rapid after sometime.
Can buy ammonia test kits at LFS, get AP brand, cheap and easy to use.
Anyone know if BB can develop in pH = 6?
silane
Silane, do i put the coral chips permanently into my eden filter? Do i need to remove it as times goes by? Was contemplating of maybe just leaving it into my tank rather than puttting it into the canister filter? Which would you suggest?
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