Vasalissa Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 I finally decided that I should definitely have a shrimp tank haha. I can even get my partner to build me a nice little cube tank to keep them in I want to know everyones secrets. I have never seen a shrimp tank (except of course for the little bowls they are kept in at some shops) and I don't know anything about them. I need all the information and experience you have! Thanks in advance guys! I'm already getting excited and only decided to do it about an hour ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydream Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 Ok decide on crystal cherry or native sp and the info will come.Do you want a display tank or breeding tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasalissa Posted September 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 I wouldn't mind having them breed as I have never done that before. Red cherry shrimp are pretty but so are red crystal shrimp I like them a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanesFish Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 I've never attempted shrimp apart from marine shrimp. But I do know how to introduce them into a new aquarium and find they love NLS. It really depends on what species of shrimp you would like to keep. Red cherry shrimp are some of the easiest Crystal red shrimp are much more exspensive and sensitive from what I've read. From what I gather temperature is the main concern then after come general hardness and water quality ofcourse. Something tells me you don't test aquarium cycling, GH, kh, nitrates.. Which are essential to longterm aquarium success. After time (years) these parameters become more instinct. Keep in mind that different species have different demands for eg, shrimp need a trace element known as iodine to assist in shedding as they grow. As for you choice in housing will be the main key to success, for instance if your lighting heats the tank too much even slightly your precious shimp may succumb to thermal shock either during lights on or lights off. Oxygen, filtration and water flow are more things to take into careful consideration... So your shrimp don't get sucked into your filter and are comfortable.. Over feeding could be your greatest cause for failure in a small tank as the water changes very fast and could over power your bacteria causing ammonia and nitrite poisoning. But like i said it really all depends on your aquarium build design and it's position in the home and mostly of all species. Red crystal shrimp are the best of the best but not for the entry levels. I would love to own shrimp and oneday will but as far as I can tell from experiance, marine shrimp are easier to keep, probably because marine aquariums are slightly larger but still very possible in 6 gallons or less. Which is what I had "dancing shrimp" in with clownfish (Nemo's). Theres no reason why you can't have some red cherry shrimp in a pico sized tank with led lighting, just be very gentle and think every step out through clearly before you bring home shrimp or do a water change. Imagine a lack of oxygen or a mini cycle could cause these fragile invertebrates to perish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasalissa Posted September 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 We have a GH and KH test we also test Ph, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate every week-fortnight. We have been stung by some pretty horrid mistakes while cycling in the beginning of looking after fish now I am a lot more careful cycle the tank with ammonia not with fish! At the moment I have a black water betta tank, a 300L display tank and a betta barracks. I have no issues with my tank I was more wondering if there is any secrets or experience that anyone can share that in their experience makes shrimp caring easier. I will be researching and researching and reading and questioning before even starting to cycle the shrimp tank. I'm planning on getting my partner to build me a cube (60cm*60cm*60cm) I was going to start with cherry shrimp just to see how I go starting shrimp as I know they can be quite tricky. Thanks for your advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 You will not be able to kill cherrys. Keep a journal of the tanks temperature this summer. The red cherry will not mind, but it will let you know if it gets too hot for crystals. Shrimp are a lot of fun. You get a huge amount of glorious distraction from life, from a tiny tank. XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasalissa Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Thats the plan!!! Have a cube of little tiny coloured blobs racing back and forward Will definitely do the journal idea! will record the PH and stuff also just to make sure there is no fluctuation in any of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betta Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Shrimp Staring™ is incredibly addictive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasalissa Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Fish staring is also very addictive!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasalissa Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 What kind of substrate do you recommend for the shrimp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betta Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Quartz gravel is pretty good, for cherries you just want to use something inert that doesn't affect the PH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasalissa Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Will this be good for growing plants also? AOA has some substrates that are apparently good for shrimp: Age of Aquariums - Fluval Shrimp Stratum Substrate 2kg Age of Aquariums - Ista Shrimp Soil 2L Would these be good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydream Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Yep they will be fine I have some tanks with that sub ada another 3 diff shrimp subs and river sand no diff in growth or wellbeing that I have seen.Most important is good filtration and reg water change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasalissa Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Awesome cant wait to start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaaakeee Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 i bought the fluval flora kit from AOA a few months ago and have my cherrys in there with some endlers and they are thriving as well as my plants, easy to care for and a good distraction! Age of Aquariums - Fluval Flora Planted Aquarium Kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
