whisper

Just wanted to show my shrimp tank. They are in there just to small to see. The bottom carpet I sewed jave moss onto plastic canvas. The jave moss I also wrapped around PVC pipes for there little hideaway. I have a question though. Is it alright to put plant firtilizer in a tank with the shrimp. I think the moss is starting to turn brown?

Gouramiguy17

Looks good. The fertilier should be good except if it has copper.

Shawnie

do you have lighting at all on the tank? moss grows just about anywhere with lighting..and I agree is turning really brown and could cause a spike in nitrates

whisper

Yes I just got a light for it yesturday. Do you mean the fertilizer should NOT have copper in it?

Shawnie

the lighting will do wonders for it as java moss is the most easiest of plants to keep alive with lighting..... with even low wattage , it can grow on a rock....I wouldnt add any ferts as im not sure shrimp can handle it...maybe some other members will have more info...

Gouramiguy17

Shrimp cannot handle coppers in their water.

whisper

Ok well I'll just wait and see how it does now with the light. It's a 2.5gal. tank so I got a 12" stripe light for it.

Shawnie

find out the wattage as you dont want too much..or you will have a major algae issue as well as overheat the tank....1 watt a gallon is great for java moss...anything over 2 and you would be pushing it severely ....im not sure what a standard 12" light would have but maybe others will

whisper

WOW I just looked at it and it says 12" Fluorescent 20watt.

enthusiast

I upgraded my shrimps from a 5 gal to a 10 gal fishtank and they love it, you can use that 20 watt bulb and it would give you 2 watts per gallon, & the plants grow great!

I actually set 2- 10 gallons side by side, and have a 4 ft. long flourescent bulb over the top of them both. The 4 ft floro is a 40 watt bulb, but only half of it is over the top of the tank, so the 20wpg is a good estimate. I'm happy with the way the plants grow cuz you can even grow medium-light plants in a 2wpg tank, and with the tank bein so small its easy to give it that much cheap lighting!

whisper

Well I can really tell the difference. I have the moss in the shrimp tank with the light and the moss seems to be growing good now. I have another 2.5 tank with moss and no light and the moss in that tank is turning brown and dying. Hoping to get a light for that tank too before it all dies.

Tony G.

before the other one dies you can transfer it to this 2.5 untill you get a light for the other one...


great tank btw! i wish i kept shrimp lol