shrimp tank setup advice

[mincedmeat]

I can't remember which thread I saw this at, but I suppose there's some recommended suppliers on tank cabinets? Looking for one for a 1 1/2 feet tank, intending for shrimp setup.

Also, I'm pretty new to the aquatic scene but I'm already interested to get my 2nd tank running with shrimps - probably cherries, sakuras, or sunkist since they are supposedly more "hardy". And then probably upgrade to CRS A/S/SS later on when I really get the hang of it.

Any recommended equipment set up? Here's a list of what I intend to include:

- Ada soil
Any recommended set? ADA 2? and can it be used before?

- Substrate
Mosura? and what is exactly needed? can I follow GC's advice?

- Filter: DYMAX PF 450 HOF (450l/hr)
Is this recommended? I am afraid of the flow rate, which I might taper down using a sponge to negate the strong water fall)
Otherwise, Eheim canister/external filter series?

- Flora considerations
moss on rocks (what kind of rocks? mineral rocks?); japanese hairgrass; hornworts; frogbits; mini nanas

- Other fauna considerations
Leopard corys, and maybe CPOs?

- CO2
No. Intending to just dose with seachem excel.

- Lighting
T5 lighting for 1 1/2 feet (recommended wattage?)

- Chiller
Necessary? Good to have?

- Test kits
I presume this is a given as "must have".

[Neondagger]

Why use HOF when you already spending so much got soil. A good Filtration is very important. I recommend you to get eheim. 2213 or 2215. 2215 better cause you might want to upgrade to a chiller next time.
Lava rocks would be the best. You do not really need mineral rocks if your water gh is 3-4 but could be placed as long as you can maintain a good gh level for shrimps. Minerals rocks cannot put too many.
For japanese hairgrass I not very sure if it can be done without co2 and chiller but you can try. Hornworts,frogbit,mini nanas are quite low required and hardy. maybe you can try putting some moss? Moss easy to keep.
I not sure if corys can be kept with shrimps but I alway keep shrimps with otos thats all.
For seachem excel. You try to not over dose it cause shrimps do not really like it.
Light I can't comment much.
If your keeping hardy shrimps then chiller might not be needed but recommended as shrimps will be more happy.
Test kit needed.


The requirements for hardy shrimps and CRS are way different level. I would say you can try keeping those hardy shrimps and maintain water parameters for CRS. Then if you can maintain, meaning your tank would be ready for crs.
You could keep sakuras as they can be in the same tank as CRS.
Get a chiller and canister filter. So when you feel like upgrading you do not need to buy so many stuff and could directly add CRS into the tank.
Trust me it will feel better than getting all budget then when you feel like buy CRS you need to sell your stuff and reset your tank and buy new stuff for them.

Simple maths.
chiller 300 + filter 130.
if you buy HOF $40+ Fan $20 + Chiller 300 + filter 130.

Just my 2cent. A power setup feel so much better then a budget setup.

[reiner09]

- Ada soil
Any recommended set? ADA 2? and can it be used before?

I doubt ADA2 can be found in singapore already( I guess the production for it has stopped) since it has been convert to the New amazonia Soil..

- Substrate
Mosura? and what is exactly needed? can I follow GC's advice?

Actually a soil is also a substrate..it is up to you whether you want to lay mosura soil on top or not..though ADA soil might already be sufficient..or either the mosura alone might also work..

- Filter: DYMAX PF 450 HOF (450l/hr)
Is this recommended? I am afraid of the flow rate, which I might taper down using a sponge to negate the strong water fall)
Otherwise, Eheim canister/external filter series?

Recommand using of external canister.Good for future upgrades.

- Flora considerations
moss on rocks (what kind of rocks? mineral rocks?); japanese hairgrass; hornworts; frogbits; mini nanas

Moss and other low demand plant if you are not intending to use co2,ferts.

- Other fauna considerations
Leopard corys, and maybe CPOs?

if this tanks is for shrimps then the only fishes to keep with is oto or else shrimplets might end up as buffet for fishes

- CO2
No. Intending to just dose with seachem excel.
refer to above-
- Lighting
T5 lighting for 1 1/2 feet (recommended wattage?)

Maybe a 2 tube t5/t8?( not very sure with this,you may have to consult the plant experts)

- Chiller
Necessary? Good to have?

it is a must have if you want to keep crs.

- Test kits
I presume this is a given as "must have".
Definitely MUST HAVE.

[stormhawk]

Any recommended equipment set up? Here's a list of what I intend to include:

- Ada soil
Any recommended set? ADA 2? and can it be used before?

Not necessary to use this, if you have to, use the shrimp recommended soils like Benibachi, Mosura etc. Anything else, even ADA, I would not use unless necessary.
Because you intend to eventually upgrade to more expensive shrimps, using a soil based substrate would be good.

If it's just Cherries, lapis gravel will do as long as the water parameters are to their liking. Note, effects of these soils will last at most for 2 years, after which you either have to tear down the tank, or rely on methods like using filter peat to maintain the pH etc. For a shrimp tank, use brand new soil if you can, as second hand soil may no longer be as effective in terms of buffering, and may come from tanks that might have had disease outbreaks in the past.

- Substrate
Mosura? and what is exactly needed? can I follow GC's advice?

This is up to you to decide, but if I was you, I'd follow their advice, especially if you're getting the shrimps there. Who better to advice you than the people who sell them and keep them in the best conditions possible, especially in the store. At least the shopkeeper gives accurate information to the best of his ability.

- Filter: DYMAX PF 450 HOF (450l/hr)
Is this recommended? I am afraid of the flow rate, which I might taper down using a sponge to negate the strong water fall)
Otherwise, Eheim canister/external filter series?

Between a HOF and a canister, I'd go with a canister simply because overfiltration is better than underfiltration where a shrimp tank is concerned. You can change the filter media according to your needs as compared to a HOF, which is hampered by lack of space.

- Flora considerations
moss on rocks (what kind of rocks? mineral rocks?); japanese hairgrass; hornworts; frogbits; mini nanas

Natural plants of choice would be mosses, ferns, Anubias and the usual suspects. You can go with a planted tank setup but that would take a lot of balancing since one way or another, you will have to focus on either the plants, or the shrimp.

- Other fauna considerations
Leopard corys, and maybe CPOs?

These are not applicable for shrimp tanks simply because Corydoras root all over the bottom areas, which is where the shrimp normally are, so if they come across any shrimplets they will eat them. Only fish I consider safe with shrimps is Otocinclus.

- CO2
No. Intending to just dose with seachem excel.

Again, this may not be sufficient in the long term as plants will require trace minerals and the usual fertilisation regimes, along with CO2 injection. If you don't want to inject CO2 then go with plants that don't need high CO2 levels to thrive.

- Lighting
T5 lighting for 1 1/2 feet (recommended wattage?)

This would be dependent on the flora you intend you use. Too high with slow growing plants and you might have an algae outbreak on your hands.

- Chiller
Necessary? Good to have?

Yes, if you're intending to upgrade to more expensive shrimps eventually. Scrimp on this part and you're going to regret it later on, because keeping the shrimps cool is a must or they'll just die on your hands.

- Test kits
I presume this is a given as "must have".[/QUOTE]

This is a definite yes. Test kits for pH, GH, KH, CO2, Copper, Chlorine, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia would be best. Handheld pH and TDS meters would be wise investments, especially those from reputable brands.

[mincedmeat]

Thanks all for the advice! Deeply appreciated. I am trying to ensure that I have set aside enough funds and time for this before starting on such a project, otherwise it would be an entire waste of time and effort. These information would definitely suffice, for now at least because I am so sure there's heck lot more to learn!


@Stormhawk: I realised that you have answered a lot of the questions I posted on the forums. What do you not know? Good on you mate!

[Zenith82]

Haha, Stormhawk is a moderator and an experience aquarium hobbyist! Welcome to AQ, as there are alot of experience and great forumers in here! Mincedmeated, rest assured that you can find alot of answers in this forum from alot of great shrimp keepers. Do share your shrimp tank pics and setup soon.
Happy Shrimping!

[paladin]

- Test kits
I presume this is a given as "must have".

This is a definite yes. Test kits for pH, GH, KH, CO2, Copper, Chlorine, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia would be best. Handheld pH and TDS meters would be wise investments, especially those from reputable brands.[/QUOTE]

Hi stormhawk, can i ask, what are the various parameters requirements to keep Sakura and Cherry for a start?

And since these shrimps are hardy, do we really need so many tests? Any test that we can skip? Cos it can be expensive if we buy the whole test kit.

[Neondagger]

This is a definite yes. Test kits for pH, GH, KH, CO2, Copper, Chlorine, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia would be best. Handheld pH and TDS meters would be wise investments, especially those from reputable brands.

Hi stormhawk, can i ask, what are the various parameters requirements to keep Sakura and Cherry for a start?

And since these shrimps are hardy, do we really need so many tests? Any test that we can skip? Cos it can be expensive if we buy the whole test kit.[/QUOTE]


Go check the species section on shrimpnow for parameters. I do not think you need copper and co2 if you not intending to put co2. And if there is copper in the water before you test, all the shrimp might have died. So no point. Why would there be copper in the water.

[paladin]

Hi Neondagger, thanks for your reply!

Where does the copper comes from?

[Zenith82]

Paladin, it's important to have test kits so you can monitor your water perimeter.
To save money, I would urge to have basic test kit like the strips 5 in 1 type, to roughly know what are the readings for ph,gh,kh,NH3 and NO3.
They are not very accurate, but it's the least you could have. If I'm not wrong it cost about $25 for 50 strips. There are various brands like JBL, Tetra, Sera and API to choose from.

[paladin]

Hi Zenith82, thanks for recommending me the test kit!
But may i know how often do you need to do the test?

Do you test it only when u change the water or add in additional things inside?

[stormhawk]

Copper is present in our water supply in low concentrations, especially in older housing estates that may still have metal pipes running in the homes, like mine. If you have metal pipes leading to the tap that you normally get your water from for tank changes, be it brass pipes or others, let it run for about a minute or so, and then the water should be safe for use. This flushes out the older water that has been in the pipes since you last opened the tap. It should not affect Sakura or Cherry shrimps much but if you are worried then use distilled water for your water changes. I find that the most important thing that these Cherries need is a cool temperature, and good bio-filtration.

Those 5-in-1 strips expire quickly in our climate, because each indicator pad may not be accurate. They lose their accuracy faster in high moisture environments. My JBL test kit can no longer read properly. If you don't mind spending a little more on test kits, get the whole set for pH, GH, KH, chlorine, nitrate, nitrite and ammonia. If you want then get CO2 test kits etc. It's better to be "kiasu" than to see your expensive shrimps die on you.

Cherry and Sakura are indeed hardy, but they can easily die too when conditions are not right for them. So it's better to be cautious and get the necessary tests. At least those drip-type can last a long time before you need to buy them again. You can use them for other tanks too, not just for shrimp alone, and they would be a good investment in the long term. If you don't need them anymore, just sell them away or trade with other hobbyists for other items.

[paladin]

Hi stormhawk,

Thanks for your info! Very enriching and informative!
Ok, shall buy the test kits. And i agree, not worth saving the few dollars to trade-in for these expensive shrimps! =)