How To Do Soil Change For PRL Tank?

[azman_haron]

Hi

I started keeping PRL is Sept 2014, and with the soil already 1 year old, the PH is reading 6.9, and I am in panic mode!! It started at PH 6.2 a year ago, and since I use RO water from NTUC, I cannot imagine other reasons for the increase, other than the soil losing its buffering capability

So I guess it is time to change the soil. Except that I have no clue how to do it!!

Any guidance from fellow shrimpers will be greatly appreciated!!

[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, looks like the soil buffering ability is exhausted. The use of RO/distilled water actually lengthens the buffering ability of the soil (as the soil doesn't have to work as hard to maintain lower pH), but it all still depends on the actual buffering lifespan of the soil, they will expire eventually. Btw, what soil are you using for your shrimp tank?

Anyways, to change the soil, you will just need to transfer and acclimate all the shrimps out to another temporary tank (it should be fully cycled beforehand with the same water parameters too), then remove the old soil and replace it with new soil. Let the filtration run for a few days to cycle the tank again (it should be quicker since you are using mature filter). Once you measure the tank parameters are stable and safe, then gradually acclimate and transfer the shrimps back into the tank.

To make things easier next time, consider putting the soil into a container or smaller tank which is then put into your main tank (its a sort of modular setup), the rest of the tank can be barebottom (or just a very thin later of substrate for decoration), that will make it alot easier to remove and replace the soil in the future.

[Dscheng]

I am curious which type of soil you using? 1 year seem like a bit too fast?

[azman_haron]

I am curious which type of soil you using? 1 year seem like a bit too fast?

I can't remember the brand. It wasn't ADA for sure. But it was from Japan, and specifically said it was for shrimp

[azman_haron]

Anyways, to change the soil, you will just need to transfer and acclimate all the shrimps out to another temporary tank (it should be fully cycled beforehand with the same water parameters too), then remove the old soil and replace it with new soil.

Do I use the same old water that has been in the tank when I put in the new soil? Or do I use a fresh, brand new RO water?

PS: if this seems like a silly question....but I'd rather be look at as silly than let the PRLs die.

[Urban Aquaria]

I can't remember the brand. It wasn't ADA for sure. But it was from Japan, and specifically said it was for shrimp

I guess there are many brands of soil for shrimps, some have shorter buffering lifespans while others can last longer. Maybe check around and find a better brand soil to replace your current soil.

Do I use the same old water that has been in the tank when I put in the new soil? Or do I use a fresh, brand new RO water?

PS: if this seems like a silly question....but I'd rather be look at as silly than let the PRLs die.

You can use the same tank water, but its better to just use brand new water (since the existing old water's parameters are not what you want anyways). As the refreshed water parameters will become lower pH again, when the setup is cycled, its important to slowly drip acclimate the shrimps before introducing them back into the main tank, because they would have been adapted to your current higher pH conditions.

[azman_haron]

I guess there are many brands of soil for shrimps, some have shorter buffering lifespans while others can last longer. Maybe check around and find a better brand soil to replace your current soil.

Ok I bought on ADA Afrikana. My decision is based on the only reference I could find on what PH level each ADA soil will eventually buffer to (http://fahadismy.name/things-ive-learnt-killing-crs/). ADA Afrikana will buffer to PH 6.0 and that is what I am aiming for.

I put it into a pail, added RO water and its now cycling with the help of an air pump.

There are various recommendations on cycling period ranging from 3 days to 1 month. When will I know that its ready?

Thanks

[Urban Aquaria]

Based on the spec charts, ADA Africana has very low ammonia content (with just abit of nitrogen), so the cycling process should be faster.

Here is some info from online (its an older chart but gives some idea):



Photo from Google Images.

Just let your seasoned filter run for a while and test the tank's water parameters. If the ammonia and nitrite consistently stay at zero, then can consider the tank as cycled.

[Dscheng]

I saw at seaview ADA aficana price is same as Amazonia. Since it can buffer PH to 6.0, which is very good for PRL. I assume it is shrimp friendly?

[Urban Aquaria]

I saw at seaview ADA aficana price is same as Amazonia. Since it can buffer PH to 6.0, which is very good for PRL. I assume it is shrimp friendly?

I've seen some shrimp keepers use it successfully... the only thing is Africana soil is brown color so it doesn't contrast as nicely with most lighter shrimp colors as compared to the much darker Amazonia soil.

In addition, its nitrogen content is very low so if you do plan to grow plants in it, have to add more ferts. Though that isn't much of an issue for shrimp tanks with no plants or just few plants anyways.

[calvin18]

how often do we need to change soil?

[Urban Aquaria]

how often do we need to change soil?

Usually the reason why shrimp keepers change the soil is because it has exhausted its pH and kH buffering abilities, so they need to replace it with new soil to maintain the required parameters.

As to how often to change the soil, it all depends on type and amount of soil you use and the particular tank conditions, ie. if it contains other items like rocks or buffers which increase pH or if frequent water changes are done with higher pH water, that can exhaust the soil faster. You just have to measure the water parameters with test kits over a period of time, then can find out if the soil needs to be replaced.