Black Crystal like sand

[bulldozer]

Hi, new here and needed some advise. I am using Black crystal like sand in my shrimp tank (cherry) temperature is at 26 to 27 degree. When I first introduce it, the shrimps are rather active, after a day or two, all the shrimps slows down and die day by day. I had in all 20 casualties. Is the sand giving the problem?
Other equipments are, hang on filter and 1 gentle airstone. Thanks for any advise in advance.

[illumnae]

how long did you cycle your tank before introducing the shrimp?

[bulldozer]

i had cycled the tank for a week. now i had introduce the cheap prawns (arowana food) and it still continue to die off daily????

[Sogyal]

you have to cycle your tank for at least a month before introducing your shrimp

[bulldozer]

so do i put in any life stocks during cycle time or just let it be empty?

[Jaws]

Not supposed to have any life stocks I guess. Should buy some guppys to test water before getting anything else. I using the same sand as you. Will let you know if same thing is happening to my cherries.

[riccia]

There should be no livestock during cycling process unless you want further casualties.

so do i put in any life stocks during cycle time or just let it be empty?

[riccia]

A month?

That's a very long time. Is it really necessary for that long? Most LFS would recommend a week only. Maybe they are trying not to scare consumer off.

you have to cycle your tank for at least a month before introducing your shrimp

[uklau]

Bro, cycle your tank longer. Even when I use beneficial bacteria, I cycled it for 2 weeks. Don't rush. A good beginning is half of success . Most crystal like sand are inert. BTW, which brand are you using?

Good luck.

[riccia]

bro uklau

i am assuming you are asking me the question below? i intend to get a packet of red color GEX. after feedback from all the "shi fu" here, i will definitely have it cycled for at least 2 weeks.

Bro, cycle your tank longer. Even when I use beneficial bacteria, I cycled it for 2 weeks. Don't rush. A good beginning is half of success . Most crystal like sand are inert. BTW, which brand are you using?

Good luck.

[bulldozer]

my black sand dont come with a brand but my tank already 3 week and my prawn still dying leh

[yeoyl87]

I suspect its the pH. I read that Shrimp requires a slightly acidic pH, which is not a problem for user of ADA or GeX soil. Black quartz sand is neutral in pH. That could be the problem. Any pro can confirm this?

[Sogyal]

I suspect its the pH. I read that Shrimp requires a slightly acidic pH, which is not a problem for user of ADA or GeX soil. Black quartz sand is neutral in pH. That could be the problem. Any pro can confirm this?

yes shrimp do prefer soft water( you can add some peat in your filter or add some ketapang leave)
go to these for some info
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/
http://www.petfrd.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12454

[Jaws]

I suspect its the pH. I read that Shrimp requires a slightly acidic pH, which is not a problem for user of ADA or GeX soil. Black quartz sand is neutral in pH. That could be the problem. Any pro can confirm this?

Thats what I suspect too. My shrimps not doing well in that tank.

[Sogyal]

I don't think it ONLY PH .your tank have to be fully cycled and water have to be stable because shrimp are known to be sensitive..and it is better to have temperature below 27 degree prefer at 25.. you can go here to understand more http://www.shrimpnow.com/forums/show...rimps-334.html

[nys]

I don't think it ONLY PH .your tank have to be fully cycled and water have to be stable because shrimp are known to be sensitive..and it is better to have temperature below 27 degree prefer at 25.. you can go here to understand more http://www.shrimpnow.com/forums/show...rimps-334.html

Shouldn't be the temperature problem as my tank water between 28 degC and 29 degC, my cherries breeding...

Bro bulldozer is keeping cherry shrimps with temperature at 26-27 degC.

[nys]

Bro bulldozer,

I don't think it the ph problem.

http://www.petshrimp.com/redcherryshrimp.html

From the info, in fact cherries prefer soft to medium hard water with a ph in the alkaline range.

I cycled my tank for about 2 week before intro cherries and now they breed like rabbit (lost count on my shrimplets & still have pregnant cherries). I neither test the ph nor add anything to lower the ph. Just have a moderate/heavy planted environment + reasonable good filter to suppot high bioload (70+ boraras spp & 18 other small fishes) in 35cm tank.

Would you mind comment on your filtration vs bioload?

[bulldozer]

mine is a simple hang on filter and bio load is 20 shrimps today another 2 fella pass off.

[vincentlii]

There should be no livestock during cycling process unless you want further casualties.

Need at least one live fish to start the nitrgen cycle.

[Merviso]

i had cycled the tank for a week. now i had introduce the cheap prawns (arowana food) and it still continue to die off daily????

Hi Bro Bulldozer,


Apart from proper cycling of your tank and maintaing good water parameters, please take note that the feeder shrimps that you are starting with usually dies off quite easy by itself.

And even if you are successful in keeping these feeder shrimps alive, these shrimps will ususally grow up to attack, kill and eat up small fishes..

It is therefore not a good indicator to judge whether your tank is ok or not. As shrimps are usually more sensitive to water conditions, I would suggest you to start with some hardy small fishes (eg Rasboras) in the tank and with plants. To be safe, put in the shrimps maybe after 2 or 3 months when your tank has stablized. Have fun!