Restarting CRS tank and doing it right...

[Savant]

I have a number of nice S to SS grades CRS in my current setup that doesnt seem to breed although they do well staying alive...

Hope to start a new CRS tank and transfer these guys over.... want to get the environment right this time round... so will be doing it right the textbook way....

The new setup will be housed in a 10mm 1.5ft cube, chilled by an external chiller (what do you recommend that I use to power the chiller? Should I use a pump or connect the chiller to an external canister filter)

I will probably get the illumax 1.5 ft pl lights... as I will want to grow some plants/nice mosses...

What soil should I use and is there anything I should look out for...

[GER]

he is my idol in CRS keeping. maybe you want to have a look at his basic CRS setup at http://www.silaneshrimp.com/articles...ank-setup.html

[d2sign]

Also can check out Midori page, there's a step by step and FAQ pdf: Enjoy Crystal Red Shrimp in Planted Tank
What chiller you using? I will suggest using external canister to drive your chiller, that will protect your chiller for sucking unnecessary dirt. Choose a canister filter with sufficient flow rate after media by pass.

[prec]

I would recommend eheim cannister filter and cl280 chiller

[trevally]

From my experience, I would say be patience and get all the water quality (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) and water parameters (ph, kh, gh) right before transferring the shrimps over. Don't adjust the water parameters when the shrimps are in.

[Savant]

Ok I am using an artica 1/10 chiller... i know its an overkill for a 1.5ft cube but I feel its more energy efficient that way...

What filter should I use... (I worry that too strong a filter will result in washing machine syndrome since its only a 1.5ft cube)

I am thinking that I will do fissidens on driftwood and gujing plants (since they need the cold water anyway)

So far I am thinking of using Gex red soil for the setup... with a UG filter attached to a cannister... not sure how the setup should be since the cannister should also be attached to the chiller...

Where can I buy a good or suitable UG filter.. and what is the best brand from your experience so far?

[fishpoo]

Hi savant,
was just wondering what kind of setup were you keep ur grade S and SS in previously? Why do you have to redo your setup?

[Savant]

I was using an artica 1/10 and a Eden 501. Soil is ADA africana... Tank size is a 1.5ft oceanfree rectangular tank....

The shrimps just dont seem to breed in this setup... (I suspect it's the soil)

Reason for new setup is to use a larger water volume to make better use of the artica chiller, to use 10mm glass to better retain chilled temperature and also to take this opportunity to do a better researched setup riding on current knowledge...

A larger tank area would enable me to try out some of the plants that I had been wanting to try out like Gu jing/fissidens and mini paelia...

[Savant]

A further question (Hope to see answers soon)...

Anyone tried keeping predominantly surface dwelling fishes as tankmates for CRS? I am thinking that something like hatchetfishes would be perfect for a shrimp tank given that they spend all their time at the top whereas its unlikely shrimplets will swim so high up?

Only issues would be with the hatchet jumping... a netted/covered tank wouldnt look as nice... any surface dwelling fishes to recommend?

[d2sign]

Boraras brigittae or Boraras Merah. Tiny and colorful, best for your 1.5ft, they are consider safe tankmate for shrimp and help cleaning planaria, seed shrimp and other pests.

[dcwk]

I am using Arctica 1/10 as well. I used Eheim 1250 external pump to drive the chiller. Do note the chiller requires a minimum flowrate. Eden 501 is way too weak for it.

[Savant]

Oh... a clarification... the Eden is not connected to the chiller, chiller is run by a small submersible pump... but for the new setup, i'll probably run the chiller inline with the filter to allow more space to scape...

[GER]

Agree with you using your external filter inline with the chiller. Sure can save alot space. i am also setting up a CRS tank but i am using undergravel filter connecting to my external filter. Happy shrimping to both of us...

[Savant]

Ah yes GER, I am hoping to complete my research before I start doing the set up...

I know there is a good number of experts here and am trying to get the best advice for setup... so far this is the plan...

10mm 1.5ft cube tank from Weeyang
1/10 Artica chiller
2213 Eheim (tentatively)
Gex red (shrimp) soil 2x4kg bags
Sea Mud (to get soon)
Fissidens on ADA wood (waiting for Mizuworld shipment of wood)
Willow moss on wood (again waiting for Mizuworld's wood)
Mini Pelia on larva rock (to get if have space)
Glosso or parva lawn (to order from C328 auntie)
Gu Jing (to order from auntie also)
Co2 (is it wise?)
Illumax 1.5ft PL lights (waiting for shipment from Mizuworld)
Sakuras, CRS and BDS (Anyone want to sell me at a good price?)

Any other substrate additives that I should add into the mix?

[dcwk]

Note that 1/10 Arctica chiller requires a flowrate of 240GPH. A 2213 is not enough. To prolong the life of your chiller, I would suggest a 2217.

[d2sign]

2217 for 1.5ft
Bro, trade your 1/10 Arctica with my cl280, problem solve

[GER]

Ah yes GER, I am hoping to complete my research before I start doing the set up...

I know there is a good number of experts here and am trying to get the best advice for setup... so far this is the plan...

10mm 1.5ft cube tank from Weeyang
1/10 Artica chiller
2213 Eheim (tentatively)
Gex red (shrimp) soil 2x4kg bags
Sea Mud (to get soon)
Fissidens on ADA wood (waiting for Mizuworld shipment of wood)
Willow moss on wood (again waiting for Mizuworld's wood)
Mini Pelia on larva rock (to get if have space)
Glosso or parva lawn (to order from C328 auntie)
Gu Jing (to order from auntie also)
Co2 (is it wise?)
Illumax 1.5ft PL lights (waiting for shipment from Mizuworld)
Sakuras, CRS and BDS (Anyone want to sell me at a good price?)

Any other substrate additives that I should add into the mix?

I am also doing research for my CRS tank before setting up. I will be adding mosura old sea mud powder before adding in the gex soil also. Hopefully can start the setup by next week as i'm still short of some things.
All the best to you and me...

[Savant]

Ah yes bro.... Research is very important...

[Savant]

Note that 1/10 Arctica chiller requires a flowrate of 240GPH. A 2213 is not enough. To prolong the life of your chiller, I would suggest a 2217.

How does having a slower flow rate reduce the life of a chiller? BTW a 2217 cost more than twice the amount for a 2213... so unless there are sound reasons for using the more expensive option...

But I'm all ears and waiting to be convinced

2217 for 1.5ft
Bro, trade your 1/10 Arctica with my cl280, problem solve

[fishpoo]

oh yeah i have heard that lower flowrates are not very good for your chiller but no idea why either.... what i know is that a higher flowrate will be able to push the water through more easily... and the current exiting will still be significant to ensure that clean water circulates in the tank.... a smaller flowrate would mean more dead spots in the tank... which could lead to algae i think.... correct me if i'm wrong