Planted Shrimp Tank

[Geoff]

Things are still going well. The snails must be happy as they've laid 6 egg clutches in the last 20 days. As for the shrimp, I have at least one female who's ready to become a mama any day now.

[ScottFish]

Great news; thanks for the update. Have you been keeping the pH stable?

[Geoff]

Great news; thanks for the update. Have you been keeping the pH stable?

Yep, it's been holding steady at 7.8. The crushed coral is doing its job. I have it in all my tanks' filters and the pH is at 7.8 in all of them.

[Crazygar]

7.8 is pretty high for most plants. Are you planning to lower the pH?

I've kept Shrimp as low as 6.5 without too many issues, though i would aim for 6.8 or 7. This would give you more options for plants.

Gary

[Geoff]

I wasn't planning on lowering it. Out of my tap, my pH is 7.8. I've read that maintaining a stable pH is better than trying to target a specific pH. I use crushed coral to buffer my pH, as my water has low kH. In the past, my tanks' pH always crashed to 6.0 and I lost my cycle. So for the past year+, I've been able to keep a stable pH and stable cycle with the help of the coral. I'd rather not mess with it.

[Crazygar]

And that's the best reason ever. Only downside is plant selection, but you can still get variety that are hardy enough for that pH.

Gary

[Geoff]

The plants I have in there seem to be doing well so far. The wisteria have grown, and the java moss as well. I have an anubias that is flowering, albeit it was flowering when I got it haha. But the bloom has slowly been opening up more and more since I got it. I'll take that! Haha.

[Crazygar]

If your focus is Shrimp, then things will be fine. Any recent shots?

Gary

[Geoff]

No recent shots. I'll try to take some tonight.

[Crazygar]

Good, I am heading off on Vacation early Sat morning, so I won't be around for 2 weeks as much as I am now.

Gary

[Geoff]

Oh nice, where are you headed?

As promised...first picture is from June 9, and second picture is from tonight.




I snapped a quick one of a shrimp on wisteria.

[ScottFish]

I like your tank. Plenty of interesting spots to watch the shrimp. Nice picture of your shrimp on the wisteria.

[Geoff]

Thank you!

[C. Andrew Nelson]

Everything is growing in nicely.

[Crazygar]

Very nice indeed. That tank sure has grown in and looks as if everything is doing well.

I'm heading down to the Detroit area for 2 weeks. Most likely spending most of my time in Lake St.Clair.

Gary