Setting up my first shrimp tank - advice needed

[kakashi]

Hi guys,

I have just started setting up a small tank for shrimp. My intention is to keep CRS and/or various other shrimps. My tanks specs:-

Size = 40(L)x25(W)x28(H)cm
Water volume (net) = 23l (6gal)
Substrate = H.E.L.P Advanced Soil for plant (3-5cm thick)
Filter = Alife HOF (replaced the sponge with bio-ring). The inlet is covered with sponge (same as for those in sponge filter).
Water = tap water treated with API Stress Coat according to recommended dose and leave overnight
Light = Aquazonic T5 (2x14w) - 12000K (if i'm not wrong) - ON for 12-14hrs daily
CO2 = DIY (sugar+yeast) with ceramic glass (approx. 1 bps) - ON 24/7
Plants = Glosso (foreground), Riccia (tied to small rock), Xmas moss (tied to bogwood), aquatic grass (background - no idea the name), frogbits (floating covering 10% surface area)
Fauna = 4 Otto, 3 Rummynose tetra, 2 Neon tetra, 2 Mollies, 4 Red Ramshorn snails

The tanks was set up 3 weeks ago with the tetras, mollies, aquatic grass and riccia to kick start the cycle. Along the way the otto, Xmas moss and snail were added to fight algea.

Doing water change around 10-20% weekly.

My intention is to get transfer the tetras and mollies out once cycling is completed before i introduce the shrimps.

Last weekends i test the water parameter using API 5-in-1 test strip on both tank and tap water and below is the result:-

Tap water
- GH = close to 0
- KH = close to 0
- pH = around 6.5
- NO2 = around 0.5 ppm
- NO3 = around 20 ppm

Tank water
- GH = around 60 ppm (3.4GH)
- KH = close to 0
- pH = less than 6 (out of chart)
- NO2 = close to 0
- NO3 = around 80 ppm

Questions:-

1. Has the tank finish cycling? I never measure the ammonia level though.

2. I'm concern with the low pH level. I tested the water again using another test kit (liquid type) and found that the ph is <4.5 (out-of-chart) while the test kit can only measure up to 4.5. What causing the pH to be very low? I'm guessing it is due to soil and CO2. Do i need to bring up the pH? How?
The fishes seem dont mind of the CO2 level. I never measured the actual CO2 level.

3. The riccia is growing well and pearling every day. The glosso is growing in slower rate and also pearling (not as much as the riccia). The Xmas moss is not growing well. Some locations around the top part of the bogwood (approx. 1-3cm below water surface) start browning. I guess it is too close to the surface where the water is hotter due to the light. I didn't have chiller and have not measure the water temperature. I didn't do any dosage of fertiliser as well.

4. What type of shrimps that can survive in such low pH?

Thanks in advanced for advice from guru here.. I'll try to post some photos tonight.. I cant wait to the day when i can add in the shrimp but keep reminding myself better be patient than sorry..

[alvinchan80]

Hi, what are you using for your GH, KH, TDS, PH, etc?

[kakashi]

You mean for testing? I'm using API 5-in-1 test strip.

Cheers

[alvinchan80]

You mean for testing? I'm using API 5-in-1 test strip.

Cheers

Think you try using individual liquid test kit.. Test strips are never accurate and only an estimate...

[kakashi]

ya it think i should get those liquid test kit one of these days, thanks for the advice.. btw i'm already using the liquid test kit for pH (Azoo pH test kit) which shows the pH to be <4.5 as that is the lowest range of the test kit. How to bring up the pH without using additive/chemical?

Just measured water temperature in the tank, it is 30C after 12hrs constant lighting. What is the ideal temp for shrimp, 26C? I'm incline not to use chiller, is fan sufficient to bring down 4C? How big the fan would be?

Showing tank photo below. I'm considering to replace the bogwood with smaller one as this one is too big and shading the smaller plant around it from light.

Attachment 32673Attachment 32674

[huizhong]

wow cool looking simple planted tank!
ideal temperature for crs would be around 23-25deg. but they are able to survive and breed in 26-28 deg, maybe not so well.
your fan would be able to bring down the water temperature to about 2 degree below outside temperature. i myself prefer those fan type that are square shape. it can hit more water surface and thus better effect. i dislike the vortex fan as it hit only a small area. of course it looks nice with the vortex fan and it also occupy lesser space.
yes your bw would block your rooted plants. pass me your bw. hahaha

[kakashi]

thanks huizhong.. any comment/advice on the water parameter especially the pH?

haven't decided what to do with the bw, will let you know if i decided to let it go... still thinking of removing the bw and add in moss wall at the back and both sides, hhmmm.. need to solve the temp problem first..

[huizhong]

Like what bro Alvin said, have to invest in proper individual test kits to test water parameters. Those 5in1 are never correct. Get sera brand or API brand.

[kakashi]

Just obtained sera ammonia and nitrite liquid test kits... Tested the nitrite with reading of 0ppm same as what I got using API 5-in-1 test strip... But when I tested the ammonia, the water remained colorless after I mixed all the regents, does it means 0ppm or test kit faulty. The expiry date is 2016.

[alvinchan80]

Even at 0mg/L there should be a color which follows the chart...

You sure you did the mixture in the right order from 1, 2, 3 and powder?

[kakashi]

Yes I also thought so... I follow the instruction, but mine is sera one which only come with 3 liquid regents and no powder...

Anyone staying in the west area and has the ammonia test kit? Can I come over to "calibrate" my test kit? By "calibrating" I mean to test the same water source with my test kit and yours and compare the result.

[alvinchan80]

Yes I also thought so... I follow the instruction, but mine is sera one which only come with 3 liquid regents and no powder...

Anyone staying in the west area and has the ammonia test kit? Can I come over to "calibrate" my test kit? By "calibrating" I mean to test the same water source with my test kit and yours and compare the result.

Let me check my ammonia test kit and update you.. Can't remember whether its the ammonia test kit or the nitrate test kit that comes with a powder... Let you know in awhile..

Sorry, I am northeast..

[reiner09]

Let me check my ammonia test kit and update you.. Can't remember whether its the ammonia test kit or the nitrate test kit that comes with a powder... Let you know in awhile..

Sorry, I am northeast..

my sera nitrate test kit comes with powder, for ammonia i use API because only need to drip 2 reagent..

[alvinchan80]

my sera nitrate test kit comes with powder, for ammonia i use API because only need to drip 2 reagent..

So it is nitrate which needs powder.. Haahaha

[reiner09]

So it is nitrate which needs powder.. Haahaha

yeah..aha..the power provided is so little..later use finish the powder, cannot test already..

[alvinchan80]

yeah..aha..the power provided is so little..later use finish the powder, cannot test already..

I never test parameter for quite awhile.. Forgot already... Hahaha

[Andy Woo]

When you add 1and 2 they are colorless ,when no 3 is added there sure to have color . Did you add the correct amount ?6 drops each with 10ml of your tank water .

[kakashi]

Hi Andy, yes i added 6 drops of each regents to 10ml of tank water... the 3rd regent itself is colorless right?

[kakashi]

update of the tank condition:-

I took out the bogwood, stopped the CO2 and did 50% water change on Sunday... the pH rose to 5.5~6... however the pH slowly dropped again, just now measured around 4.5 level... did some reading and concluded that the HELP Advanced Soil for Plant is the one causing the pH drop... my last resort is to use crushed coral to try bringing and stabilizing the pH around 5.5~6.0 level... going to get it tomorrow... what is the recommended amount i need to put in for 23L tank? thanks

[kakashi]

update on my first shrimp tank:-

added in coral chips to raise pH and added in xmas moss on back and both side walls, now pH stable around 6... moved the rummynose and neon tetras and mollies out to separate tank... added in small ruby tetras and few nerite snails.... and finally added my first yamatos and sakuras yesterday.... so far no casualty yet (finger crossed)... spent ~10hrs to drip to acclimatizing them, the shrimps seem adjusting well, all are moving around not hiding... spotted few berries mum to be...

few photos:-