New Tank Setup

[dessertwine]

Hi,

I'm interested to start keeping shrimps. May I know the essential things/equipments/stuff I need to start a tank, please?

Thanks for any help!

[imke]

Hi,

do you know yet which kind of shrimp you want to keep? The choice of the soil might be different and the general look (plants) of the tank, too.

Imke

[dessertwine]

Hi imke,

I would like to start from cherry red first & maybe crystal red when the cherry reds are stable.

Do I need to have different set up?

[dessertwine]

hi mike, in that case what are the things needed to set up a basic tank?

[beetroot]

Cherries are generally quite hardy. You may want to search the forum and the internet to read up more about their living conditions before starting.

http://www.theshrimpfarm.com/cherry_shrimp.shtml

They like moss, so give them a lot of moss and hiding places.

[imke]

Hi dessertwine,

this is your shopping list You need:

1. soil
2. filter or air pump
3. plants, moss, perhaps rocks or driftwood
4. scoop
5. food
6. the tank
7. the shrimp

Do you know your water parameters? Most of the shrimp breed better in soft water, especially CR.

Imke

[dessertwine]

Cherries are generally quite hardy. You may want to search the forum and the internet to read up more about their living conditions before starting.

http://www.theshrimpfarm.com/cherry_shrimp.shtml

They like moss, so give them a lot of moss and hiding places.

Hi Beetroot,

Thanks for the link! =) I'll read thru.

[dessertwine]

Hi dessertwine,

this is your shopping list You need:

1. soil
2. filter or air pump
3. plants, moss, perhaps rocks or driftwood
4. scoop
5. food
6. the tank
7. the shrimp

Do you know your water parameters? Most of the shrimp breed better in soft water, especially CR.

Imke

Hi Imke,

I got the water parameter from the website. Which are the one that I have to take note, other than the pH Value? http://www.pub.gov.sg/newater/qualit...s/default.aspx

What kind of soil is suitable? I saw a few tank photos in the forum & some forummers seem to be using gravel. Any idea which is better?

Do I need to have any fan or chiller for the shrimps? Besides those in the list, do I also need any lighting?

I'm sorry to be asking so many questions!

Thanks so much for replying to me!

[brightsp@rky]

Gravel isn't good for breeding. Suggest you consider ADA or GEX soil.

[dessertwine]

Gravel isn't good for breeding. Suggest you consider ADA or GEX soil.

Thanks brightsp@rky! Noted! =)

How much is ADA or GEX soil? I can get it from any LFS?

[brightsp@rky]

My colleague got them from the LFS - I think a small packet of the ADA cost about S$15. But I read some posting that there are two types, one for fauna and one for shrimps, so take note.

I have no info about the GEX, I think they are "finer" in size, my colleague says GEX is better than ADA. I have both soils, I sort of agree that GEX is better, both were given to me. Noted that the Shrimps on GEX is more productive.

[Luc Tango]

one very important thing to note, please cycle your tank for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Best if you can cycle it for a month.

If you choose GEX soil, think you should go for the red packet (note, there is green and dark green packs too.) It is supposedly for shrimp, though i am not sure what is the difference other than grain sizes.

[dessertwine]

My colleague got them from the LFS - I think a small packet of the ADA cost about S$15. But I read some posting that there are two types, one for fauna and one for shrimps, so take note.

I have no info about the GEX, I think they are "finer" in size, my colleague says GEX is better than ADA. I have both soils, I sort of agree that GEX is better, both were given to me. Noted that the Shrimps on GEX is more productive.

brightsp@rky, thanks for the infomation! =) really appreciate your help.

the forummers here are very helpful!

[dessertwine]

one very important thing to note, please cycle your tank for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Best if you can cycle it for a month.

If you choose GEX soil, think you should go for the red packet (note, there is green and dark green packs too.) It is supposedly for shrimp, though i am not sure what is the difference other than grain sizes.

Hi Luc Tango,

When you say cycle my tank, does it mean to set up the tank & everything without any shrimps in it? Can I put any plants in the tank to let it cycle too?

I've heard that the Green Packaging has less ammonia/nitrate than the reds and are more suitable for tanks with less or no plants. Not sure how correct is that as the packaging is all Japanese.

Anyway, I'm using green as my plants are mostly mosses and may not need that high a nutrient base that the red package supposedly offers.

I had read some of the posts & found this. So the red packet has more ammonia/nitrate? I thought it's no good for our shrimps? Please correct me if I'm wrong

[argonmt]

Do not put in any livestock when you first started your tank. Put in as many plants as possible. Get a fan to cool the water, which encourage the plants grow especially moss.

[dessertwine]

Do not put in any livestock when you first started your tank. Put in as many plants as possible. Get a fan to cool the water, which encourage the plants grow especially moss.

Thanks, argonmt. So I can get any plants from LFS. What about those with wood tied to them? Can I buy those too?

[Luc Tango]

regarding the red pack or green pack issue. I am using the red pack. my cherry shrimps are doing fine with it. furthermore, the red pack states "Shrimps and Plants". lol.

Quarantine any plants that are newly bought, they might have unwanted stuff on it, like damselfly nymphs and what not. Plants with wood tied to them should not cause much issue as most of the wood are normal driftwood.

[acit]

Just in case you don't know yet.

Your set up must run for 2 weeks to 1 month to mature before you can introduce your shrimps into the tank.

While waiting you are encouraged to put in lots of plants......

This is my personal preference to mature a tank..

1. Fill your tank with plants. [fast growing stem plants recommended by most sifus]
2. Turn off your lights
Note...Since you have to turn off lights, fill tanks with low light plants such as java fern/annubias. If you have stem plants you may need to turn on lights for 4 hours a day.
3. Use commercial bacteria [bacter ball/green bacter or any other products from other brands]
4. Use an air pump
5. Use aged/water or water from a mature tank
6. Use filter and media from a mature tank
Note....if you already have a mature tank and are setting up a new tank, you can run the filter for the new set up on your mature tank for a few days to develop bacteria colony for new tank.

Good Luck!!!!


Cheers
Acit

[dessertwine]

regarding the red pack or green pack issue. I am using the red pack. my cherry shrimps are doing fine with it. furthermore, the red pack states "Shrimps and Plants". lol.

Quarantine any plants that are newly bought, they might have unwanted stuff on it, like damselfly nymphs and what not. Plants with wood tied to them should not cause much issue as most of the wood are normal driftwood.

Hi Luc Tango,

Thanks & noted! =)

[dessertwine]

Just in case you don't know yet.

Your set up must run for 2 weeks to 1 month to mature before you can introduce your shrimps into the tank.

While waiting you are encouraged to put in lots of plants......

This is my personal preference to mature a tank..

1. Fill your tank with plants. [fast growing stem plants recommended by most sifus]
2. Turn off your lights
Note...Since you have to turn off lights, fill tanks with low light plants such as java fern/annubias. If you have stem plants you may need to turn on lights for 4 hours a day.
3. Use commercial bacteria [bacter ball/green bacter or any other products from other brands]
4. Use an air pump
5. Use aged/water or water from a mature tank
6. Use filter and media from a mature tank
Note....if you already have a mature tank and are setting up a new tank, you can run the filter for the new set up on your mature tank for a few days to develop bacteria colony for new tank.

Good Luck!!!!


Cheers
Acit

Wow Acit, really appreciate your effort for giving me a step-by-step guide!

But I do not have any mature tank at the moment, I'm starting a new tank. May I know what does commercial bacteria do? Thanks!