Shrimp Tank Questions

[L_Plates]

Tank: Coopet Cube 27 Litre - Shrimp Tank
Dimensions: 30x30x30
Lighting: 11w

Substrate: I have never used anything other than sand or gravel before but i was thinking of trying the following, Oliver Knott NatureSoil Black or Flora Base. I know the Oliver Knott Naturesoil is shrimp safe but is the FloraBase ? or would you recommend i use something else ?

Also how much would i roughtly need for a tank of this size ?

Wood & Rock: I was thinking of using some Manzanita wood with some Mini Landscape rock from aquaessentials possibly the 5kg option, http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/mini-landscape-rock-per-kg-p-1437.html

Plants: Hemianthus Callitrichoides, Java Fern & Alternanthera Cardinalis. Im open for ideas on this so please feel free to fire any ideas my way. Do you have any recommendations for plants that shrimp would need such as moss ?

Ferts: El Dosing or Flourish ? What would be the best option for shrimp ?

Co2: Will i need to use any form of Co2 such as Flourish Excel ? Also will the shrimp be ok with it ?

Shrimp: Red Cherry Shrimp, how many could i have in this size tank ?

This is a new area for me and before i think of starting a Journal here i thought i would get some thoughts from the experts

So what do you think of my ideas ? Please feel free to point out any mistakes, stupid ideas i may have written.

Like i say i have never tried a shrimp tank before so i am happy for any advice before i make a start.

Thanks for reading, and sorry for all the questions.
LP

 

[fishyfeet]

red cherry shrimp breed easily in shrimp only tanks and you can have hundreds as they are cleaners, i would let it get some algae before adding them, and some good plants i was ready up on shrimp fertiliser etc

have a look here,

http/www.sera.de/en/news/the-new-complete-sera-product-range-for-shrimps.html

 

[KittyKat]

Substrate: […] Also how much would i roughtly need for a tank of this size ?

How deep do you want the substrate? For example, if 5 cm on average, then 5*30*30/1000 = 4.5 litres

Wood & Rock: […] rock from aquaessentials possibly the 5kg option […]

That would be a bit on the much side, I think: my recently bought 5 kg of reef bones is 30*25*20 cm in size and it is one of the less porous ones… unless you want to have a decent choice from the pieces and are planning to do something else with the ones you don't like?

 

[L_Plates]

red cherry shrimp breed easily in shrimp only tanks and you can have hundreds as they are cleaners, i would let it get some algae before adding them, and some good plants i was ready up on shrimp fertiliser etc

have a look here,

http/www.sera.de/en/news/the-new-complete-sera-product-range-for-shrimps.html

Cheers for the link i will have a read later tonight.

LP

 

[fishyfeet]

plants need a good deep substrate, but what i would have liked to have done was use something like this

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/red-sea-flora-base-plant-aquarium-substrate-p-3621.html

im not endorsing this product but i wish i had used a similiar one when i planted my tank up, di

 

[L_Plates]

Substrate: […] Also how much would i roughtly need for a tank of this size ?

How deep do you want the substrate? For example, if 5 cm on average, then 5*30*30/1000 = 4.5 litres

Wood & Rock: […] rock from aquaessentials possibly the 5kg option […]

That would be a bit on the much side, I think: my recently bought 5 kg of reef bones is 30*25*20 cm in size and it is one of the less porous ones… unless you want to have a decent choice from the pieces and are planning to do something else with the ones you don't like?

Not sure on the depth Kitty, hense why replies like your are very helpful. Is 5cm a good depth ? I am trying to visualise it and i would say it sounds good to me.

No plans to use the rock elsewhere but i suppose it would give me a better choice if i did go with 5kg, maybe i could even smash it up a little. I could even drop it to say 3kg ?

Cheers
LP

plants need a good deep substrate, but what i would have liked to have done was use something like this

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/red-sea-flora-base-plant-aquarium-substrate-p-3621.html

im not endorsing this product but i wish i had used a similiar one when i planted my tank up, di

I have heard many good things about this product that is why i have listed this as an option in the initial post. I am just unsure if it is shrimp safe.

LP

 

[KittyKat]

Not sure on the depth Kitty, hense why replies like your are very helpful. Is 5cm a good depth ? I am trying to visualise it and i would say it sounds good to me.

For large planted tanks, I usually go for 3 cm at the front and 15+ cm at the back, but for my latest small tank, I went for 1 cm at the front (not deep enough to actually plant into it) and 10 cm at the back, which averaged out to just over 5 cm. To be honest, 5 cm should be fine for most plants except large swords, large Crypts, lilies and onions (they have a LOT of roots, here's one of my onions: http/www.flickr.com/photos/kitty-kat/4197496245/ )

 

[ian]

That link Fishyfeet (flora base) isn't the Columbo florabase. Just to make you aware Lp. KK is right about the rock...and the Manzy wood may be a little big for a tank this size. Unless you can find a nano bit. Have a look for the Unipac nano Sumatra wood.

I would suggest TPN + if your using Excel. If you choose HC, i would suggest some carbon input. You could use EI, as long as you know what your dosing.

As for the shrimp, you could start with 10, you'll soon have 20!

 

[L_Plates]

Not sure on the depth Kitty, hense why replies like your are very helpful. Is 5cm a good depth ? I am trying to visualise it and i would say it sounds good to me.

For large planted tanks, I usually go for 3 cm at the front and 15+ cm at the back, but for my latest small tank, I went for 1 cm at the front (not deep enough to actually plant into it) and 10 cm at the back, which averaged out to just over 5 cm. To be honest, 5 cm should be fine for most plants except large swords, large Crypts, lilies and onions (they have a LOT of roots, here's one of my onions: http/www.flickr.com/photos/kitty-kat/4197496245/ )

If i was to go 3cm at front would that be ok for HC ? as the larger plants would be at the back with the wood and rocks.

LP

 

[L_Plates]

That link Fishyfeet (flora base) isn't the Columbo florabase. Just to make you aware Lp. KK is right about the rock...and the Manzy wood may be a little big for a tank this size. Unless you can find a nano bit. Have a look for the Unipac nano Sumatra wood.

There is some nano packs available on aquaessentials some at 30cm and less and others at 20cm and less. I will look into the sumatra as well.

Is the Columbo Florabase safe for shrimp Ian do you know ? Still stuck on which to use for this tank the Oliver Knott of FloraBase.

I would suggest TPN + if your using Excel. If you choose HC, i would suggest some carbon input. You could use EI, as long as you know what your dosing.

I have around 700ml of TPN+ in the shed sat doing nothing so that works for me. I use EI on my community tank and dose 45ml of Macro 3 days a week and the other 3 days i dose 45ml of micro and one days rest.

Works out around 10ml per 50 ltr of water. Would the same sums be ok if i was to go for EI in this tank ?

As for the shrimp, you could start with 10, you'll soon have 20!
Cheers, they breed rather quickly then, heheh

LP

 

[ian]

All of the soils leech ammonia...however, i have used Columbo twice now and added shrimp within a few days of it being down, without any fatalities. I wouldn't waste the extra on the Ollie Knott stuff as it is the same as the Columbo stuff. Apparently it's made in the same place. I have used a mature filter both times though and done daily water changes. It really is top stuff...

Yes, you'd use the same sums to work out the dosage of EI on a nano.

also if this is a dedicated shrimp tank, i'd be tempted in getting some CRS as well.

 

[minnnt]

My LFS stocks the Oliver Knott stuff... How expensive is that?!

3 bags please... yeah thats £117 please...

 

[ian]

It's expensive for what it is...apparently, all of these aqua soils apart from the ADA stuff is made in the same place. IE it's actually the same stuff!

I can honestly say though, if you want a nice balanced system, an aqua soil is the way forward IME.

 

[minnnt]

Yeah i definately want to try some some day... Possibly when i have saved up for a few years... lol.

 

[L_Plates]

All of the soils leech ammonia...however, i have used Columbo twice now and added shrimp within a few days of it being down, without any fatalities. I wouldn't waste the extra on the Ollie Knott stuff as it is the same as the Columbo stuff. Apparently it's made in the same place. I have used a mature filter both times though and done daily water changes. It really is top stuff...

Yes, you'd use the same sums to work out the dosage of EI on a nano.

also if this is a dedicated shrimp tank, i'd be tempted in getting some CRS as well.

Cheers Ian just looked at the Crystal Red Shrimp they look fab, might just have to take you up on the idea

Also i have just looked at the filter that comes with this tank, the guy dropped it off an hour ago. All there is inside the filter is a single sponge, so what i was planning to do was cut the sponge in half and place some mature media from one of my other tanks in the middle which should pretty much cycle the the filter instantly.

I plan on ordering the substrate, rocks and wood soon so i can get them early next week. Then when i am happy with the layout order the plants.

When the plants are in and i am happy i plan to order in the shrimps.

Sounds like a plan i hope hehe, oh and i will go with the Columbo

Cheers
LP