New tank setup for dwarf shrimps

[beetroot]

Hi, I am setting up a new tank (14 inch) to house my Sakuras, Green and Orange shrimps together. Using ADA Amazonia II, as ADA Amazonia was sold out. When I asked shop auntie the difference, was told that Amazonia II is a later version that clears faster than Amazonia.
But realised after I bought that, Amazonia II will lower pH even more compared to normal Amazonia? Is this true?

1) Is it ok to cycle for about 3 weeks before transferring the shrimps in?
2) Does Green shrimp prefer higher pH, or soft to medium hard alkaline water in the long run? Is it ok to keep Green shrimp with Amazonia II?
3) Will Green and Orange shrimps crossbreed if kept together, as both are from Caridina family?
4) If they do crossbreed, how will it happen, as Green's babies are miniature versions of the adults, but Orange's larvaes need brackish water?

[d2sign]

1) Depend on you cycling process, silane wrote a step by step guide on fasten the cycling time for Amazonia, check out here: http://www.shrimpnow.com/forums/showthread.php?t=565

2) Green shrimp best to kept at pH 6.8 to 7.5, more info can be found here: http://www.shrimpnow.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=8. I have 10+ Indian zebra shrimp at pH6.4 which also Caridina babaulti, origin from india too, kept them for a month and no casualty so far, not sure if that suitable for long term.

3) Not sure.
4) Not sure

[beetroot]

Thanks D2sign for the info.
Yes, realise that Greens need higher pH, so am a bit concerned if they are ok to be in Amazonia II tank in the long run.

Anyone else can help?

[beetroot]

hmmm.... anyone?

[celticfish]

You can put coral chips in the filter to help buffer the pH upwards.
But a small tank might be a bit hard to get the balance stable.

Alternately, scratch the ADA and go for dennerle quartz gravel.
It's black and more important for you, pH neutral.

[beetroot]

ok, have put some small coral chips in the filter. will measure pH again before introducing shrimps. thanks.

[beetroot]

It is my second week cycling the tank, but over the weekend, i disturbed the soil - did some rescaping and planting, and the water has become cloudy again.
Does that mean i have to start the cycling process all over again? wait another 3 weeks?

[Quixotic]

No need, just perform some partial water changes.

Regarding 3 and 4, not conclusively certain but I have doubts they will hybridise as their reproductions are physiologically different.

[beetroot]

Thanks Quixotic, will do partial water changes for a few days.

Another headache , i keep seeing planaria crawling on the glass! Have not even introduce any shrimps in and of course no food. Only plants and soil in the tank. Sigh...

[rainman]

Hi bro, planaria and white worms are very common.. even when your tank has no other occupants.. i gave up trying to eliminate them! every now and then i try to suck them out, but that's about it.. no shrimps, no feeding, and they're still around..

[beetroot]

Yeah, that's what I do, suck them out when I can't stand the sight of them, or manually pick them out.
Having some pH issue with my tank (pH too low and buffering with coral chips), still have not put in the shrimps except 3 testing the water and still surviving... {*Please please continue to live*}...

[rainman]

There's a product called Vermax that some folks say works in removing planaria/white worms.. but I personally haven't tried it. Maybe worth a shot if you really can't stand the sight of them

[beetroot]

Hehe... don't dare... scared it will kill my shrimps too. Yeah, heard about it too from planaria threads. I even tried putting some salt into the tank while cycling (not too much though), but they are still there.