Couple of questons for setup

[prodrive]

Guys,

Previously I housed fish and shrimps together for the past few months. Fish survived but shrimps kept dying. finally made the decision to keep just shrimps ....

So I need some help from the experts here. Forgive me if my questions seems damn newbie ....

1. I bought a thermometer from Daiso and it seems my covered tank with lights on from 6pm to 12mn is extremely hot at 33 degress celsius.
I intend to keep sakuras or cherries.
Is the temp ok? or do I need to install fans?
Mine's a 2 feet tank. How much does a fan costs? I actually prefer crystal red shrimps but after reading the forum, i think need at least a chiller so i scrape the idea as it is costlier and thought Sakuras will do for my case.

2. So far, i am cycling my tank with some tetras and also bought a pack of ADA soil as i read that it lowers PH. Can I mix my current gravel in the tank with the soil? I also placed some bogwood with tied moss on it.

3. Also, I thought of upgrading to a 3 feet thank for ADA style cabinet.
Any idea where i can get this?

Thanks
Appreciate all the help rendered to help me with this new hobby.

[Shadow]

1. I wont recommend 33C even for cherries and dont even try CRS . Fan will not work if your tank covered, you need to open the covered, that probably the cause for 33C

2. What is your current gravel?

3. There are lots of tank maker that able to customize cabinet for you. Just search the market place, merchant section.

[prodrive]

thanks bro

1. looks like I need to change my tank liao if I want to fulfil my aspirations of keepoing shrimps. hahaha
2. Current gravel is one packet of those black river gravel. and another pack of white gravel that is suppose to reduce ammonia. I think the brand is ABox or something.

3. thank you

[Shadow]

Can't you just take out the cover instead of changing tank? ADA soil contain ammonia which is good for plants on the other hand you have white gravel thing that suppose to reduce ammonia. I don't think you can mix this two

[fotoudavid]

the cover of tank no air holes? remove cover is better then install fan. fan cost about $15 plus minus some may be more expensive depends brand. if intend change tank, then better don't do anything now. decide think carefully.

[magpie]

Read up more on the water parameters required for shrimp keeping. Start anew is better than revamp your old tank if you have the budget. Recycled the tank properly, test out the water parameter and 0 ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before getting shrimps. Get it right on start will save you alot hassle and money in the long run.

[darrentyl]

If your tank is really 33 degree, I will not recommend keeping shrimps. Best don't go above 28 degree. Fan might help but topping of water can be quite a task to do.

If unsure, I will suggest you to read out and start with your current 2 feet tank, gain more experience and learn along the way.

[stormhawk]

A tank with a cover or hood, will trap in condensation from the water, which in turn heats up the tank. If you want to keep shrimp, then you have to keep the lid open. Otherwise you have to consider the use of a chiller for a covered tank.

[StanChung]

I recommend chiller + fan. Just because fan will delay the chiller kick in times. If you set 24-26C range, it will take longer for temp to reach 26C before chiller kicks in. You will save some electricity.

[prodrive]

with my current equipment and a whole of of advises from the bros here.
(Really appreciate the responses)
I am still reading up lots and currently reviewing my options on what is my next step to take......
One question though......can I use my ADA amazonia soil if I continue to
keep just fishes? I do read in certain posts that the soil lowers
the PH and will kill the fishes. ....
I ain't ambitiuos lah, my fishes are just either Cichlids (pink convicts + african OR guppies/tetras/platy/swordfish etc)

[Shadow]

pH ADA Amazonian initial stage is very low around 5, but after filter mature and start converting ammonia into nitrate, the pH will stabilize around 6. You need to get fish that suitable. Don't expect to get Tanganyika Cichlids

Lower pH high nutrient are good for planted tank, this is where ADA product strength.

[StanChung]

Most fishes prefer soft acidic water, this includes most areas that are in the tropical belt except for rift lakes and lime mountain areas with hard alkaline water. These are the opposite and not ideal/compatible with ADA soils that promote soft acidic water.

So no Malawi to Robert's Tanga's.
Some fishes like Galaxy, Sawbwa resplendens actually prefer hard water but can do ok in our planted tanks provided it's not too soft.

[spider]

I m using ADA soil w/o CO2 and my PH was low even after cycle.... Had to constant chng water and use crush coral to balance the PH... Guppies can not survive well in my community tank....my tank was with just driftwood n moss. Moss grow well though.

Lately i decided to plant n install CO2 + upgrade my filter to eheim 2213, PH was balance at 6 w/o need of coral....rummy nose, tetra live well....