Planted Shrimp Tank

[Geoff]

Hey everyone - I know it's been a long time since I posted on here, but my tanks have been doing so well since last summer with no issues or deaths that I've kinda gone into auto-pilot. Nothing new to do or say, just cruising along. But lately, I've been thinking of setting up a planted shrimp-only tank.

I've come up with a list of what I would want to get for this tank...that is, if I finally decide to do it.

10 gallon tank (already have one stored in the basement)
Glass hood
Finnex Stingray LED light 20-inch
Aquaclear 20 filter
Pre-filter sponge
Aqueon Pro 50w heater
Thermometer
Tank stand
Black sand
Low-light plants
Shrimp (neocaridina)

I think that about covers it. I want to put this plan out to you all to get some feedback. Any suggestions for plants? I was thinking of just doing things like java moss, marimo balls, java fern, etc.

So what do you think?

[ScottFish]

I like it. Java fern and Anubias. What is your water parameters? I love shrimp tanks, but my water is very hard and couldn't get the little guys to breed. Keep us posted BTW.

[Geoff]

My water is soft. I have two other tanks and I have to buffer my pH with media bags of crushed coral in my filters. Otherwise my pH will crash from 7.8 right down to 6.0. That's the main reason the AquaClear filter is on my list. It's easier to customize the media.

Thanks for the feedback; I'll keep yas posted for sure!

[Crazygar]

Cool! That species of Neocardinia? Remember that some have specific temperature requirements. I kept Crystal Reds and had to remove the heater from my tank to ensure they had their needs met.

Gary

[Geoff]

Most likely red cherry shrimp.


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[Crazygar]

Ok, they are pretty hardy Shrimp. In fact, the most popular as well due to the ease of keeping and how quickly they will reproduce.

Good choice.

Gary

[Geoff]

Yeah I figured I'd start out with something easy.

I bought some stuff at Petco yesterday and ordered the rest on Amazon. Come Friday, I should have everything I need except for the plants and the shrimp. I'll order the plants after I set the tank up, and then I'll order the shrimp after I put the plants in. When the shrimp go in, I'll put in some filter media from my established/cycled canister filter on my 36g. It'll probably be at least two weeks until it's all said and done.


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[Crazygar]

Yes, I do the hardscaping first before planting, but this is another topic for another section here in the Forum.

Red Cherry Shrimp are the ones that brought me into the Smaller Shrimp side of the hobby as well. I eventually branched out to Sukura, Rainbow and Crystal Reds.

Gary

[ballpc]

... I eventually branched out to Sukura, Rainbow and Crystal Reds. ...

Same here LOL. I remember paying around $18 each for some Blue Tiger shrimp shipped from Germany about 10 years ago.....

Dennis

[Geoff]

I'm glad RCS don't cost that much!

I've read that you can have about 10 dwarf shrimp per gallon of water. So that'd be up to 100 shrimp for a 10g. Any truth to that?


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[Crazygar]

All you need is about 20 healthy Shrimp of various sizes, no predators and you'll have more than that! As long as things are kept good, Shrimp are well fed, and no predators, you'll end up with loads and the population will sustain itself.

Gary

[ballpc]

I've read that you can have about 10 dwarf shrimp per gallon of water. So that'd be up to 100 shrimp for a 10g. Any truth to that?

Back when I was selling Red Cherry shrimp, I would keep hundreds in 10 gallon tanks. You need to really stay on top of your tank maintenance though.....



Dennis

[Crazygar]

I had one fatal population crash when I went on vacation. I wasn't feeding as I normally would have and well returned to half the population. Keeping loads requires constant attention. Try to move things around when the population increases. They are easy to catch.

Gary

[Geoff]

How often did you feed them?


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[Crazygar]

I usually fed daily. My initial batch I introduced into the tank after the cycle and let them for the first few days, take care of the algae on the plants.

I started to drop sinking food in small amounts in all 4 corners of the tank ensuring everyone has ample food. As the population increased, so did the amount of feedings. A healthy population of Shrimp and easily take care a can of Veggie Wafers in a month!

Gary