Fish tank help

[kelvinlim11]

Hi everyone,

my first post here as I require some help on my fish tank setup.

I set up a 1.5ft tank intending to breed some cherry shrimps.

However, the shrimps and some fishes are forever hiding. I am wondering why.

Even feeding they dun come out.

I suspect it's my lightS. I have java moss in my tank intended for my shrimps. Some wood and moss ball.

Lighting using t5 lights with 2 16w tubes each. Is this the problem? Is the light too strong? Anyway I can solve it?

Appreciate any help.

[Desewer]

if your light fixture has 2 switches, you can set one to be off i.e. use only one 16W tube because T5 tubes have high output. alternatively you can remove one of the tubes.

i'm running a 4x24W T5 for my 2ft tank but i removed 2 tubes to make it just 2x24W.

[kelvinlim11]

Tried to just use one tube but they still hiding.
I even try to use paper to reduce the intensity of the lights, but no use.

So weird, the moment i off the lights, they will come out soon.

[Blue Whale]

Are you able to post a picture with entire surrounding?

Water creatures are sensitive to vibrations, lights, etc. If you are not able to post a picture how about look around the tank; Anything scary or is there a big predator in the tank or you are the cause (Press your face against the tank). If you are the cause, try watching at least 30cm away from the tank and observe their reaction.

If the tank age is quite young, you just need time for them to adjust. Try this. When feeding, palm facing you, use two fingers to lightly tap the glass top. Do this each time you feed them. Once they get use to it, they will come everytime you feed them. Below is a light moment of how Amano feed his angel fish. PLEASE, do not follow him, you will break your small tank..ha..

YouTube- Mr.Amano feeds his altum angel

[diazman]

PLEASE, do not follow him, you will break your small tank..ha..

.you could always tap(not knock)lightly though

[stormhawk]

To kelvinlim11,

It is possible that the fish and shrimps are still trying to get used to the new set-up. If you did not acclimatise them properly, they might still be in shock. Try to do this, don't use the lights at all, but rely on ambient lighting from your ceiling lights etc. You might not be able to see them much, but at least you know they're still there and eating.

Give them some time and increase the light levels of the tank slowly, until they get used to having bright lights. Some species of fish are more shy than others, and some do not like really bright lights. You could always use a less powerful light set, since your plants only consists of mosses and some algae balls. These do not require bright lighting to survive, so maybe a lower wattage bulb might be better instead.

[kelvinlim11]

Thanks for all your help