Starting Rcs Tank

[rob16d]

Hey guys,

I had some red cherry shrimp in my 55gal tank and I think most of them got eaten - I only had 6. I was wondering if it was worth me getting a smaller tank (say 60litres or so) and JUST having red cherry shrimp in that.... Then as they breed transfer some over and surely if there are enough eventually in the 55gal tank, even if some got eaten, they would just continue to survive in the 55gal tank if I gradually increased the population by transferring from the smaller tank?

Cheers. Sorry if that doesn't make sense? x

 

[ChrisCook]

They will breed fairly quickly if the conditions are right in smaller tanks. One problem is them being sucked in to the filter though

 

[Thecloud]

I kept river shrimp in a small tank ok, not to breed but just to keep them all alive as It was cheaper to buy in bulk. More or less all survied with just an airstone and daily water changes.

 

[Hokum]

Use an air powered sponge filter and you'll probably be fine. Like the filters user on fry tanks.

 

[flying_jack]

I'd also say an air-powered sponge filter. That 60l will be full in not time. Perhaps some snails too!

Jack

 

[rob16d]

is it worth my buying a smaller tank to put them in......or should i just forget it?

 

[Honeythorn]

Well to make it more worth your while, make sure to get a second hand tank and a cheap sponge filter. Makes the whole thing cheaper and less of a waste if it doesn't work out. Plus you'll have a spare 60l that you can always use for a hospital tank or some small fish if you wanted.

Get yourself a load of java moss and moss balls (shrimp love the stuff ) if you want something simple and easy for plants.

 

[Faffer]

I was in exactly the same position, having bought 6 cherry shrimps for my 55g tank. They were getting along fine in the tank until I introduced 2 firemouth cichlids to the tank, then they either got eaten or were hiding really well. I managed to spot and rescue 2 of them, but I haven't seen any of the others since, nor have I seen any of the snails I previously had.

I now have a 60l tank just for shrimps, snails and a guppy fry. I'd say it's worthwhile and I spend almost as much time watching this tank as I do my main tank! Just waiting for a population explosion, then I'll transfer some back over to the main tank.