Setting Up A New 2 Feet Tank

[curryfishhead]

Hi Bros

Many thanks to this forum and many contributions from many fellow members, I had learnt a great deal in setting up a shrimp tank. So far, I had managed to setup a 1 feet shrimp tank but the results are not satisfactory.

Now looking to setup a 2 Feet tank. Likely to start on Monday.

My requirements are simple:

1. Low Tech - No CO2
2. Limited Budget - No external Cannister, No Chiller
3. Because of No Chiller, only looking to keep Fire Red only, no CRS...
4. Aquascape - Simple scaping with a few Volcano like rocks and some plants littering on the floor.

Before I rush to buy all those equipment for the new tank, do have a few questions which I hope I can get some help here.

1. Tank - Gone to Seaview but find the 2feet tank very limited. Where else I can find good and inexpensive 2ft tank?

2. Substrate - Thinking of getting Benibachi Soil. Read from fellow Bros here that it is probably the best and easiest to get it cycled. I understand that it comes in 5L packet. How much (litres or kg) will be enough for a 2 feet tank? Where can it get it at a reasonable price ?

3. Filters - Don't think can afford the external Cannister. I understand that many of the Bros here use undergravel filter system. Due to the lack of cannister and also confidence, I am looking to use a simple OHF from Eheim 2042. Will this be enough for the 2 feet tank? Will this affect the setup in the long run?

4. Fan - Cannot afford a Chiller, thus limiting the type of shrimps that I can consider. Thinking of getting a medium size Gex Fan which says that it can reduce the temperature for 2feet tank up to 4 deg Celsius. Can believe them?

5. Aquascaping - We can I find good and inexpensive Rocks for this new setup? I already have some small little plants (don't know the name) which can grow along the floor of the tank. If I want to get new plants, where will be the best lfs to get it?

Many thanks in advance.

[hellomyfriend]

1. 2 feet tank good and inexpensive forum people selling 2nd hand the best to get.

2. 1 packet would be good for a 2 feet tank. you can try green chapter at clementi block 354.

3. unsure as i am using external filter.

4. i think you got smoke by the people who tell you that piece of information.

5. you can try C328.


CHEERIOS

[ciaossu]

Ciao,

1. the tank you can get them here, quite alot of bro are selling them. if you prefer 1st hand you can try c328 i think the price is $20+ to $30+ for a plastic 2ft tank.

2. if you're on budget a normal black quartz sand works fine as fire red doesn't need low PH to thrive but the disadvantage is that you'll have to wait for a month for the tank to finish its' cycle. if you wanna have a quick one you can go for the soil or go to colourful aquarium and buy a brown colour pill like soil it's quite cheap and according to the boss you can add the shrimp in after 1 or 2 days.

3. for filter wise you might wanna get a large GEX HOB filter, it's quite spacious and it also allows you to put more media. or get a second hand canister filter, for $40 you can get a ehiem 2213 which is more than enough for your tank.(well it depends on your luck)

4. well, i think the "them" is quite misleading, it's impossible to reduce so many degree celsius the most is 2 degree c. i've using mr aqua tornado fan and it's very good and silent, during the good day it can lower down from 28.5 to 26 or 26.5. but due to recent weather i don't think it's possible.

5. C328 for budget and normal looking one. GC for better looking one and choice. for plants you can try nana, java fern and moss. all these doesn't required much light.

Regards,
Ciaossu

[curryfishhead]

Hi Hellomyfriend and Ciaossu

Thanks for the advice.

Went to lfs and bought the following.

1. Oceanfree 50x33x34 tank
2. Eheim 3312 Canister
3. T5 2 x 24W lights
4. ADAII - one package of 9L
5. Mosura Old Sea Mud Powder
6. Substrate - Eheim Mech, BioHome, BioHome +
7. Fan will get later

Just put in the old sea mud and ada II soil. Recycling now. Waiting for the water to clear....

The cycling process had just started.....

[ciaossu]

wow, looks like you can upgrade to keep CRS anytime when you're more comfortable with shrimps. just need some test kit and chiller and you're good to keep CRS.

keep us posted.

[hellomyfriend]

all the best my friend

[Numbskull]

i would say save up for fan. Get a 2nd hand chiller from forum here. better.

[curryfishhead]

Hi Numbskull

Did wanted to do it. But my wife says electric bills big enough...need to compromise....sigh...

[Numbskull]

well dig out 20+ from your own pocket each month. I believe that would be sufficient.

[curryfishhead]

Sigh....money not the issue.

Just managed to persuade my wife to upgrade to 2feet tank and one condition, no chiller to save electricity... Just have to make do with the situation.

[Yulbrainer]

Sigh....money not the issue.

Just managed to persuade my wife to upgrade to 2feet tank and one condition, no chiller to save electricity... Just have to make do with the situation.

I am having the same issue with you bro LOL.
I am even not able to persuade my wife to agree for 2 ft tank (yet).
You can share how you persuade her.

[curryfishhead]

hahahha....lucky I am not the only one in this world with this problem....

Anyway, you can find one day whereby your wife is extremely happy (like kanna 4D or you buy her a LV bag .....ooouch) and tell her that you will be equally happy if you can upgrade your shrimp tank......hehehe

Good luck bro.....

[gryphon]

I am having the same issue with you bro LOL.
I am even not able to persuade my wife to agree for 2 ft tank (yet).
You can share how you persuade her.

hahahha....lucky I am not the only one in this world with this problem....

Anyway, you can find one day whereby your wife is extremely happy (like kanna 4D or you buy her a LV bag .....ooouch) and tell her that you will be equally happy if you can upgrade your shrimp tank......hehehe

Good luck bro.....

I have the same problem too That is why I only have a small tank in office.
I bought more than a LV also no use

[curryfishhead]

So it is true that woman control our purse strings....and to some extend how far our shrimp hobby journey ($$$) go...

Try harder bros....one day, they will see the lights (T5 or more) of "shrimps" (oh I mean "things").......

Remember, those who laughs last have the last laugh....

[curryfishhead]

Hi Fellow Forumers

Just to share my experience in getting a new tank from ground zero and wrap up this thread.

Below is the final list of equipment purchased.

1. Oceanfree 50x33x34 tank
2. Eheim 3312 Canister
3. T5 2 x 24W lights
4. ADAII - one package of 9L
5. Mosura Old Sea Mud Powder
6. Substrate - Eheim Mech, BioHome, BioHome +
7. Fan - Mr Aqua Turbo Fan
8. Driftwood - From an old tank
9. Plants - Don't know what they are called other than the moss ball.
10. Stones - Decorative white stones for beautifying the scape. Supposed to have NO effects on the PH as per LFS

Initial setup – Please see below.

Day_1.jpg

Day 0
i. Setup up above
ii. Water is murky because of the new soil.
iii. Water cleared after 4 hours.

Day 1
i. Water Parameters measured : PH - 6.5, Ammonia - 0, NO2 – 0, NO3 – 0.
ii. Tried to find out from the fellow forumer where to get Ammonia to start the cycling but not successful.
iii. Lights on 24 hours.
iv. 1 cm of Excel (Shrimp food) added to simulate Ammonia.
v. 1 scoop of BT9 added.
vi. 100% WC

Day 2
i. 1 cm of Excel (Shrimp food) added to get Ammonia.
ii. 1 scoop of BT9 added.
iii. 100% WC

Day 3
i, Ammonia went up to 1.

Day 4
i. Water Parameters measured : PH - 6.5, Ammonia – 1.5, NO2 – 0, NO3 – 5, GH - 60, KH - 0
ii. 0.5 cm of Excel (Shrimp food) added to get Ammonia.

Day 5
i. Water Parameters measured : PH - 6.5, Ammonia – 1.5, NO2 – 0, NO3 – 5, GH - 60, KH - 0
ii. 1 flat scoop of BT 9 added.

Day 6
i. Water Parameters measured : PH - 6.3, Ammonia – 1.5, NO2 – 0, NO3 – 0, GH - 80, KH - 20

Day 9
i. Water Parameters measured : PH - 6.5, Ammonia – 1.5, NO2 – 0, NO3 – 6, GH - 80, KH - 20

Day 10
i. Water Parameters measured : PH - 6.5, Ammonia – 1.0, NO2 – 0, NO3 – 12, GH - 100, KH - 50

Day 11
i. Water Parameters measured : PH - 6.5, Ammonia – 1.0, NO2 – 0, NO3 – 7.5, GH - 100, KH - 50

Day 12
i. Throw in some commando Shrimps (Cherry and FR)

Day 16
i. Water Parameters measured : PH - 7.4, Ammonia – 0, NO2 – 5, NO3 – 20 (0800 hrs test)
ii. 2 Shrimps Casualty
iii. WC 40%
iv. Remove Stones
v. Water Parameters measured : PH – 6.9, Ammonia – 0, NO2 – 5, NO3 – 20 (1700 hrs test)

Day_16.JPG

Day 17
i. Water Parameters measured : PH – 6.7, Ammonia – 0, NO2 – 5, NO3 – 15, GH -110, KH -50
ii. 3 Shrimps Casualty
iii. WC 40%

Day 18
i. Water Parameters measured : PH – 6.5, Ammonia – 0, NO2 – 1, NO3 – 20, GH -110, KH -50
ii. WC 40%

Day 19
i. Water Parameters measured : PH – 6.5, Ammonia – 0, NO2 – 0.25, NO3 – 15, GH -110, KH -50

Day 20
i. Water Parameters measured : PH – 6.5, Ammonia – 0, NO2 – 0, NO3 – 15, GH -110, KH -50
ii. Shrimps have been swimming happily for the past couple of days.

Day_20.jpg

With the Ammonia and NO2 going to Zero, I believe the tank is now fully cycled. Does not want to use fish to cycle the tank because don’t know what to do with the fish after that. But finding Ammonia in Singapore is almost impossible.

Nonetheless, as many of the bros here advised. Patience is the greatest virtue to cultivate in Shrimp Keeping.

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Just to share with you guy. I am using Eheim 2213 and found the suction very very strong. A lot of my shrimplets and small ones are sucked into the canister. Have to put a sponge to wrap around the pipe to prevent my future shrimps/shrimplets from disappearing. See below.



Sponge Filter.JPG

[redsuns]

Hey..nice setup! You would need a sponge or a wire mesh to cover up the inlet as they would be sucked in via the gaps. Very simple and neat scape to check out the shrimps!

[rcw]

Awesome, nice journal

[felix_fx2]

Brand new setup day 16.
Bb have not cultivated yet.

Good record keeping. I can never do that

[curryfishhead]

Yes, I agreed with you, felix...wasted about 16 days and also some of my precious shrimps. Issue is not able to get Ammonia.

Now, the Ammonia and NO2 level have gone to 0 for the last 4 days of testing with NO3 going up and then down (likely thanks to the plants).

Patience is king in keeping shrimp....

[felix_fx2]

No mulm to kickstart bb?
It's the 1st solid advice I learnt in AQ.