Beginner to Shrimps keeping

[foxunlimited]

I just probably found out the cause of the deaths!

Occasionally there are ants going near the aquarium - probably due to the source of water.. and sometime they fall into the tank.
Yesterday I found a cherry and CRS munching on the body of the ant that has sunk to the bottom of the tank, true enough after i wake up today, they are both dead. (sizes of both bodies resembled those 2 that ate the ant)

Is there any method you guys used to prevent pest such as ants from getting near the tank?

[Neondagger]

I not sure ants are posionous. But to prevent them, I go to art friends and buy a plastic. Buy a plastic cutter for like $10 can use like pen knife same thing but abit different come with. Hook shape. Must see then u know. And cut the size and shape then u want. Then place it on top of the tank. That's for my case.
In the process of learning. painful but fun!

[foxunlimited]

erm.. don't quite understand what you are trying to explain.. but thanks! i'm rubbing bleach solution around the exterior of the tank.. see if it helps

[Neondagger]

Ok simple. I got a plastic to cover to tank. From artfriend.

In the process of learning. painful but fun!

[reiner09]

best way is to find the ants nest .. destroy the root.. i already destroy 6-7 nest in my house( i followed them home as they were queuing up nicely for me )..rarely see ants already..

[foxunlimited]

is it necessary for filter to reach all the way to the bottom of the gravel to suck up the poop? Or is it ok to leave it as it is as long as your nitrite level is zero?

[foxunlimited]

I have just measured my water to a gH of 5. Is it good?

[Ecalyte]

is it necessary for filter to reach all the way to the bottom of the gravel to suck up the poop? Or is it ok to leave it as it is as long as your nitrite level is zero?

No need for inlet to reach all the way to the gravel. In the first place, its function is not to suck up poop. Poop will be decimated by the bacteria colony in your tank.. all the way to its Nitrate state.

I have just measured my water to a gH of 5. Is it good?

5 is fine. Recommended is around 3-6. Various people have different experiences with each GH value. Some will swear on a certain value.. but just stick to the 3-6 range.

[foxunlimited]

Thanks Ecalyte for all the answers.

I just introduced a stem plant into the setup yesterday, hopefully it will further lower the Nitrate level. Will measure nitrate again tonight.
My CRS doesn't seem to be berrying, not sure if I'm having an all male boy-band in the tank or that it's just too early to speak.. (They are residents for about 1.5week, about 5 adults)