Need Advice for CRS tank

[DaCross]

Hi Guys,

I need some help or advice.. Though I posted a few days ago about the mineral rocks and Old Sea Mud, I think I still have a long way before needing those.

To start of, I have got a 2 x 1 x 1.2 (or something) tank setup. With chiller and temperature is set at 24C. I use a Aquazonic 2 tube 24W (i think). ADA Amazonia (New) Podwer 3L mixed with ADA Amazonia (II) Normal. The Spiky, Weeping and Java Moss are growing well..

Here is the issue. I found out that my ph was at 5. I tried to increase it by using coral chips in an external breeding tank, but later found that the white on some of the CRS had faded when the tank water reached 6.5 ph. So i removed the breeding tank, and some of the white came back while some still looks faded. The ph went back to 5 after a day.

The shrimps have been in there at ph 5 for about a month or so, and I know I should not have fixed what is not broken, but I was hoping for nicer colours. But what I noticed in that month is the there was like a total of only 3 - 4 molts. I have got about 20+ shrimps. Most of them are juveniles though..

Can I just ask, what should I do? Should I try to increase the ph, or just leave it as they seem to be doing fine..?

You advice is greatly appreciated.. And also, what else should I take note of at this juncture?

Thanks guys!

[newlife]

How was the coloration initially at pH5.0
And what was the size of the CRS when you purchase???

[DaCross]

Hi bro Newlife, the colouration was better initially.. It seems to drop after increase in ph.. I thought it was due to stress or something.. I bought them quite small.. Maybe 0.6cm or so..?

I just took a close look and they've grown slightly.. Even the adults bought a week and a half ago...

[DaCross]

Actually the colour seemed to have faded overnight..

[Owls]

Actually the colour seemed to have faded overnight..

Hi Bro Dacross, i have the same problems with you where i started as well.

My problem is due to TDS which i found out because after increasing the TDS the colour came back.

This is base on my own experiment.

Did you test your TDS?
Where did you purchase the shrimps and what is their previous tank parameters?
I have not try this but read somewhere online that sudden increase in PH is definitely a NO NO and it will stress out the shrimp thus colour fade. Ever Death will come also.

Correct me if i am wrong so we can learn together.

Cheers

[DaCross]

Hi bro Owls,

I don't check the TDS as I don't have the equipment yet.

I guess it is the sudden spike that caused them stress... Really shouldn't have tried to fix what is not broken.. Silly me..

My purchases are mixed.. Some from LFS and some from bros here..

How did you increase the TDS?

Also, anyone knows if ph 5 is ok for CRS? Will they still breed at such levels?

[cheetf]

The colouration depends on a few factors, among them water conditions and quality of the shrimps.

First and foremost, what did the shrimps look like before you got them? If they were already of poor colouration then you would have had a bad base to start from already.

However if the shrimps were of a good colouration when you first got them then the problem is likely to be your tank conditions.

Since you have already found your ph to be 5, we can start from there. For better colours, it better to keep the shrimp between ph 6.2-6.8. Out of these 2 extremes there normally be noticeable deterioration of the whites. Ph 5 is a bit extreme for CRS, unless they were grown in those conditions, long term they will unlikely survive.

All being said and done, if you intend to increase the ph, don't do it immediately. Take baby steps, sudden changes will likely worsen the colour due to stress.

TDS does play a part but again do it slowly. You can increase the TDS by dosing Mosura TDS Up. Personally, I feel that 100 to 150 is a pretty good range, others might defer on that.

[xconnect.]

I feel You should just let your tank cycle abit longer as the ph is quite low.and Ada soils have a bit of ammonia so cycling longer won't harm any shrimps but you have put in shrimps therefore if their doing well now don't change the water para meters just let nature do its job : D
Any try not to put So much coral chips as I think you may cause your shrimps to have ph Shock plus coral chips will increase gh so I think you may want to check your gh as a external box with coral chips on a two feet tank is too much And you now may Risk to have rock hard water
As for ph for crs high fives for ph is ok for crs.

[DaCross]

Hi Bros cheetf and xconnect,

Thank you very much for your input on this topic.

I think after all that is said, I should not have change anything to begin with.. I just thought that it would have been good to improve conditions according to what is shared online, but I guess now the general rule is 'if it is not broken, don't fix it'.

The last ph check I did was about 5.4 - 5.6 I think. It was darker in colour, so I am just guessing.

I think the only thing I will be doing now is to sit patiently and wait a few days before I do another round of tests...

Thanks to all bros for your comments and advice.
Please feel free to add on anything else if anyone feels that it is useful !