Baby steps - (Caridina shrimp tanks)

[Myrtle]

How long does the capacity to lower the pH last?
Looking good so far

 

[Kalum]

How long does the capacity to lower the pH last?
Looking good so far

I'll find out and let you know it's the first time I'll be bothered about and keeping an eye on pH (other than lowering via co2) but from what I've heard and read up about others using amazonia for caridina setups is it lasts between 1-2 years before it starts to break down and lose its buffering capacity

 

[plantnoobdude]

I think tropica changed the dye or recipe because all the bottles at retailers are that dark brown colour nowadays. Used to be a bright green.

 

[Kalum]

Day 2 after planting, still cloudy but easing up after 1 water change so far

Happy with the plant choices in the foreground and epiphytyes on wood, but still need to decide what will work best in the background, torn between easy stems or pack it full of crypts...

Leaning towards crypts and keep with the nature(ish) style, also have botanicals to go in

 

[Kalum]

Photos are going to be hard with this tank as it looks a lot duller than in real life due to a south facing window directly across from it

 

[Kalum]

2nd water change and clearing up

 

[Kalum]

Day 8, cloudy haze (possible bloom) is noticeably less after today's water change

Some melt on the MC but also some nice new growth, a slight bit of crypt melt but not as much as I was expecting and some nice fuzz on the wood

Unfortunately the riccardia chamedryfolia didn't arrive in the best condition (brown) due to being bounced about in shipping and smothered with the gel, I thought I would try it anyway to see if I can resurrect it but it looks like a lost cause as its dying off by the day

 

[Kalum]

Day 14 - we seem to be turning a corner with the initial ugly transition phase with the wood fluff starting to subside and the plants starting to show growth, MC is doing well with old dying off and replaced with a lot of new healthy growth, fingers crossed but the buce is doing well with no signs of melt (but that can change overnight), bit of crypt melt as expected still

I've also installed the Liberty 200 (replacing the 130) so theres a lot more flow and surface agitation and now happy with this (on full)

More for me to keep track of things down the line (and anyone bothered to see what does and doesn't work with this) i'm going to list my current routine and parameters:

Have been dosing stability daily (got it free so just trying even though not needed) but this will be the last day of that.

1 pump (2ml) Tropica Specialised every 2nd day

Tap TDS = usually 50-60 but currently 85. I live in a new build where they are still on site, so potential for water treatment as they are still building so may end up double dosing prime at WC's when i get livestock until they are off site
Tap KH = between 0 and 1
Tap GH = between 0 and 1
Tap pH = 7.3

From todays water change, i've started to try and get my GH set, so playing around with Bee Shrimp Mineral GH+

Tank TDS = has been 100-110 up until today, currently 270 after adding 6g to the tank (so a good 120 above where I want to be)
Tank KH = between 0 and 1
Tank GH = 5 (about right, aiming for 5-6)
Tank pH = 6.25

I'll let the tank calm down following the WC and see what it's like since i'm stopping dosing stability, with that and prime possibly having an effect on TDS

Vivid mini is currently on 8am till 5pm with a 30min ramp either side, settings are Red - 40, Green - 37, Blue - 32

The benefit of working from home means i get to do my maintenance during meetings where i need to listen more than talk...

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I've also installed the Liberty 200

I like your pre-filter sponge, very smart.

cheers Darrel

 

[Kalum]

Hi all,

I like your pre-filter sponge, very smart.

cheers Darrel

Thanks Darrel, I found sponge filter foam fits perfectly over the inlet so a perfect way to prefilter as well as make it fully shrimp safe. Nice and easy to rinse out at each WC now

 

[CooKieS]

Great setup, are you happy with the Eheim? Especially regarding the noise? I’m looking to do an shrimp tank too and was torn between an quality HOB filter and a hygger prime pore filter. Thanks

 

[Kalum]

Great setup, are you happy with the Eheim? Especially regarding the noise? I’m looking to do an shrimp tank too and was torn between an quality HOB filter and a hygger prime pore filter. Thanks

Thanks @CooKieS, yeh the liberty's are good solid trustworthy HOB's, very simple in design which I like

I've had all 3 (70, 130 and 200) and I'd say the 200 has a noticeably louder drone when on full, but it is quiet when turned down to 50% or below. Both the 70 and 130 are quiet.

I have the 200 running in my office very near my desk and I'd say its just acceptable. But I've noticed if you leave the top cover off the noise level drops considerably so I'll look to see what I can do as it may either be down to a slight vibration or sound resonating inside the filter which could be fixed with a bit of foam

I tried Sponge filters but they were too noisy for me.

 

[castle]

How’re the shrimp you tanks going?