64L Tank Help (Corys and Shrimp)

[st3ph3n]

Hello, I have a few questions about a new tank I plan on setting up.

The tank itself is 64L - 61 x 44 x 33cm - it came with a filter but I plan on using a bio filter and the substrate is Caribsea Super Natural Marine Sand, I was just wondering how many blue shrimp and black corys I can stock this tank with (I have 5 Black Corys and 10 Blue Shrimp Already I wasn’t sure if I should get anymore) I plan on getting drift wood and live plants for the tank if anyone has any suggestions with what plants to get it would be much appreciated I need to get the tank up and running as soon as possible so I can have it running a few weeks before I need to move the fish to our new home.

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[Colin_T]

don't use marine sands in freshwater tanks because they push the pH up and that is bad for the fish.

 

[nik_n]

If you want to keep shrimp make sure you get some mosses and ferns. Some floating plants wouldn't hurt either. If you want to cycle your tank faster and you already have an existing tank, consider tanking some filter media, substrate and decorations and moving them to your new tank. This will speed up the process so your beneficial bacteria will grow much faster. You can return the decoration to the original tank once the new tank is done cycling. There are also some chemicals that help with beneficial bacteria population. They should sell it at your local fish store.

 

[nik_n]

don't use marine sands in freshwater tanks because they push the pH up and that is bad for the fish.

True. Also remember that you don't NEED to have a sand substrate for corydoras. Smaller and well rounded rocks are completely fine.

 

[st3ph3n]

don't use marine sands in freshwater tanks because they push the pH up and that is bad for the fish.

Thank you when I was reading on the the description of this product it said it wouldn’t push the pH up in a fresh water tank, that’s what pushed me to buy it.

If you want to keep shrimp make sure you get some mosses and ferns. Some floating plants wouldn't hurt either. If you want to cycle your tank faster and you already have an existing tank, consider tanking some filter media, substrate and decorations and moving them to your new tank. This will speed up the process so your beneficial bacteria will grow much faster. You can return the decoration to the original tank once the new tank is done cycling. There are also some chemicals that help with beneficial bacteria population. They should sell it at your local fish store.

Thank you, I was planning to add a few of the current moss balls and stuff we have back at the old place and adding it in that tank will be going away as a freebie so all the decorations and stuff will need to be here anyway we are setting up a few smaller tanks tanks.

But I am oblivious to what live plants would be best suited for the tank I want it heavily planted if I am honest

True. Also remember that you don't NEED to have a sand substrate for corydoras. Smaller and well rounded rocks are completely fine.

I like the way both the Corys and shrimps swift through the sand that’s why i thought it would be a good choice at the time.

 

[Colin_T]

Thank you when I was reading on the the description of this product it said it wouldn’t push the pH up in a fresh water tank, that’s what pushed me to buy it.

Have you got a link to the product or some pictures of the packaging?

If you have opened the sand already, add some to a bucket of tap water and see if it changes the pH over a week or two. Check the pH before adding the sand and a week later. If possible, have a second bucket of tap water (taken at the same time) and don't add any sand to that. Monitor the pH of both containers of water and see if there's a difference.

If the pH doesn't change after a week, then it should be fine to use in a freshwater tank.

 

[st3ph3n]

Have you got a link to the product or some pictures of the packaging?

If you have opened the sand already, add some to a bucket of tap water and see if it changes the pH over a week or two. Check the pH before adding the sand and a week later. If possible, have a second bucket of tap water (taken at the same time) and don't add any sand to that. Monitor the pH of both containers of water and see if there's a difference.

If the pH doesn't change after a week, then it should be fine to use in a freshwater tank.

This is the link to the item I purchased:

Caribsea Super Natural Marine Sand (20lb)

The Caribsea White Marine Sand is a decorative sand, it is a great way to accent your brightly coloured tropical fish. Can be used in fresh or saltwater. This product will not affect pH. Supplied in a 20lb bag, each bag will cover 12-18 inches of a normal width aquarium.

charterhouse-aquatics.com

if you have any recommendations of another substrate I’m open to change, I have the bag here unopened so I could go ahead with the tests prior to adding it into the tank, but if there is something that’s much better for this setup I will just add this to the collection under the stairs.

 

[Essjay]

The main problem with that sand is the colour. Freshwater fish have not evolved to live over a white substrate and being over one is stressful for them. The fish we buy are all dark when viewed from above so that they blend in with what is underneath them. White sand also reflects light back up into the tank, something else that fish are not happy with

If you haven't opened it, I would take it back and exchange it for a darker substrate. It doesn't have to be black, just darker.

 

[st3ph3n]

The main problem with that sand is the colour. Freshwater fish have not evolved to live over a white substrate and being over one is stressful for them. The fish we buy are all dark when viewed from above so that they blend in with what is underneath them. White sand also reflects light back up into the tank, something else that fish are not happy with

If you haven't opened it, I would take it back and exchange it for a darker substrate. It doesn't have to be black, just darker.

Unfortunately I have went ahead and opened the sand and placed it in the aquarium, didn’t look as white as I thought it was going to be, it’s more yellow/grey if I’m honest I imagine this will still be bad for them.

Got some Marimo Moss balls and Pistia water lettuce in the tank currently plan on adding Java moss in the next few days most likely Monday when I test the water, before I plant the Java Fern and Anubias on drift wood we have been hunting around for.