25l Cherry Shrimp Update

Aquasafe&easybalance are fine so no change there 15% water change weekly is no problem eather and iam glad you bring your water up to temperature as again shock will kill shrimp but your fish would be ok with a slight discrepancy Your filter is also fine what I would do is slide a popsosk over the grill at the intake, it's ok for adult shrimp but young will get sucked into the filter and die,just remove both as required and a gentle swill in aquarium water when you do your water change. Don't clean one of the tank glass you need the biofilm to build up as this is what the shrimp need (very important) proberly the one at the back, you could put a picture on the outside just to make it look nice, I would also leave the biofilm build up on ornaments, I would strongly advise anyone making RO WATER to still treat with prime or any other chlorine remover although our units remove chlorine we can never be 100%positive that the filter is up to scratch especially with age,it's to late when your shrimp die, for a very long time my mix as been worked on every 10ltr of water I use 1ml of prime it's not a lot for piece of mind and that's a recommendation from prime themselves. There's no need to change your plants every 4/5 weeks just as they get established you take them out, leave them in if you get a leaf that's died or been eaten cut it out at the base and a new one will regrow ,leave the plant in the tank to do this you don't want to disturb the root system, taking the rocks out maybe a good idea and replace with ornament from a fish store that way you know there's no nasties going in, because you've got fish and shrimp living along side each other I'll try not put to much on the emphasis of shrimp yet there are things like the biofilm that are a must so it's try and build a happy medium.

I've got a new filter being delivered. I have a spare small tank (like 10l) to cycle the new filter in . It's one that's just a sponge filter... seems to be what lots of people use with their shrimp. Popsock for now tho got it. No shrimp but I'm sure it can't hurt to have it on there. I do leave one of the side pieces of glass normally but it got quite bad so I cleared it off with last week's water change. Will leave the back glass to build up algae. I always worry with leaving the glass to gather algae I always thought it should be removed. I did thinknI shouldn't be needing to keep replacing the plants it's reassuring to know I can just leave them to grow. I got rid of one the other month cause there were roots and I stupidly thought it wouldn't be ok cause my tank isn't planted (what I perceive to be having to be trimed and maintained). Very glad to know this about the plants

 

Don't worry about shrimp I've already earmarked some for you, when we are both happy with your tank we'll get it sorted, food for thought why don't you put the new filter in your dad's tank that way the the filter will colonies bacteria quicker and it wount harm, that's if your dads happy or you can put it straight in your tank alongside the existing one if there's room

 

I would strongly advise anyone making RO WATER to still treat with prime or any other chlorine remover

HI Richie (& Rhia!)
I just saw what you wrote about still treating the RO water with Prime or similar (Aquasafe/EasyBalance in my case) -its something that I meant to ask about but forgot amongst all the other questions!
Do you just add it at the same time as the Salty Shrimp ( I do this on Sunday morning, which is PWC day) or the day before when making the water? Do you think it matters when?
Sorry Rhia to jump in on your thread-you can see that we're ALL still learning! ☺

 

Don't worry about shrimp I've already earmarked some for you, when we are both happy with your tank we'll get it sorted, food for thought why don't you put the new filter in your dad's tank that way the the filter will colonies bacteria quicker and it wount harm, that's if your dads happy or you can put it straight in your tank alongside the existing one if there's room

Ahhh yes did not think of that. I don't see why he would mind.

HI Richie (& Rhia!)
I just saw what you wrote about still treating the RO water with Prime or similar (Aquasafe/EasyBalance in my case) -its something that I meant to ask about but forgot amongst all the other questions!
Do you just add it at the same time as the Salty Shrimp ( I do this on Sunday morning, which is PWC day) or the day before when making the water? Do you think it matters when?
Sorry Rhia to jump in on your thread-you can see that we're ALL still learning!

No please carry on. I know nothing about ro units so I'm more than happy for some info to be on this thread

Sooo just doing some maintenance that we spoke about today.. had to wait for the **** workers to leave ( a lot of work going on at mine atm) and iv moved a rock and not going to lie I've jumped out my skin. Something like a little nympth or something similar pops out. Thinking this is something that defo needs removing but just wondering if anyone knows what it is. It's alien looking

Sooo just doing some maintenance that we spoke about today.. had to wait for the workers to leave ( a lot of work going on at mine atm) and iv moved a rock and not going to lie I've jumped out my skin. Something like a little nympth or something similar pops out. Thinking this is something that defo needs removing but just wondering if anyone knows what it is. It's alien looking

Forgot to add the photo

 

That's your problem get him out now asap he will devastate your aquarium it's a nymph larva that's what's been killing your shrimp iam 100%on that kill it now

 

Is it a damselfly nymph?
Yes, I've read that they're absolutely fatal to shrimp.
There could well be more so have a really good look around your tank-it'll be great if that's what the problem is, if you know what I mean, in the sense that "it's not you...it's the nymph"!

 

Take all the rocks and Ornaments out but leave substrate and plants so you have a bare tank and watch over the next week for more the eggs would have come in on your plants one over the last three months hatching and killing the shrimp it's quite possible they've come in on separate plants each time you've changed them but they are deadly to shrimp I think it's one of the most destructive immature form of invertrabate you can get in a tank

Emma don't use your storage tank to hold mixed minerals you can use prime while in storage but mix minerals just before wc, I did put it in the writeup I did but it was long and early missed

This your dad needs to check his tank as after they hatch they go through a dozen or more moult how long between moult Iam not sure but during this time he will feed on anything it can grab, in fact ide take out your plants very carefully and give them a good wash through and vac your gravel for more eggs there's no easy way with these critters so be methodical and through, I didn't even think of these and there's been loads this year with the weather and I did find one in z new tank I setup in February but luckily it was going through it's cycle so no harm done

 

Ahhh yes did not think of that. I don't see why he would mind.

No please carry on. I know nothing about ro units so I'm more than happy for some info to be on this thread

Sooo just doing some maintenance that we spoke about today.. had to wait for the workers to leave ( a lot of work going on at mine atm) and iv moved a rock and not going to lie I've jumped out my skin. Something like a little nympth or something similar pops out. Thinking this is something that defo needs removing but just wondering if anyone knows what it is. It's alien looking

Forgot to add the photo View attachment 474824

I agree that is most likely what killed the shrimp. Those nymphs, especially dragonfly nymphs, are highly predatory and will even kill small fish. The Dragonfly is the most efficient predator on the planet and their nymphs are no different. Get it out ASAP and make sure there are no other ones in there.

 

Rhia how easy would it be to empty your tank but keep the water, let me know then we can go down a different road if not don't worry , let me know when your back on line

 

Have removed everything... I've thoroughly washed the plants but feel it best to keep them in a separate bucket and wash them out daily. Urgh! These **** plants. Always got something lurking.. down the toilet it went

 

Ok was going to suggest new.

 

Have taken everything out. Had just washed the plants off just before I found it. Urgh these plants always something lurking. Down the toilet he went. Should I leave anything else in my bamboos seem a little timid and like hiding most of the time

Don't know why I posted basically the same thing twice. Panic I guess. Long reply from me I know I was taking stuff out as you was all replying. It's very easy for me to empty the tank I have like 5 10L buckets to hand

 

Yes he will there been a threat in the tank but he'll recover

 

Yes he will there been a threat in the tank but he'll recover

Ok out he comes too.. sorry little shrimpys it's for the best.

 

Have taken everything out. Had just washed the plants off just before I found it. Urgh these plants always something lurking. Down the toilet he went. Should I leave anything else in my bamboos seem a little timid and like hiding most of the time

Bamboo shrimp are very timid because they have no claws to defend themselves with.

 

I forgot about the bamboo tell you what leave the tank bare for a week to see if anything else appears if it dose well go for full clean out but if nothing then I think we'll be good to go with shrimp. Ide still like you to get a water test though, I'm a lot happier now with what you've got and feel we've got to the problem

Rhia come back to me and talk for a minute

 

I've got a new filter being delivered. I have a spare small tank (like 10l) to cycle the new filter in . It's one that's just a sponge filter... seems to be what lots of people use with their shrimp.

For filtration, yes sponge filters are good for shrimp because they will not suck babies in and the dirt that builds up on them becomes a perfect grazing ground for all of the shrimp. It will be full of plant matter and biofilm elements that the small shrimp need. The drawback is that you can't add carbon to them if the need ever arises. I am using the power filter that came with my tank but I tied some nylon stocking around the intake that provides the same benefits as a sponge. My shrimp are always picking at it and actually keeping it clean. I did buy a sponge pre-filter but haven't tried it yet. The stocking is working so why mess with it.

I have also read that shrimp and snails are a perfect symbiotic combination. The shrimp will feed on the snail waste and supposedly that will help with their digestion in some way. The video I saw had Trumpet snails in with the shrimp but others would probably be just as good.

The 60l tank will definitely be better. especially for the Cories.

 

Rhia come back to me and talk for a minute

Ill take a sample up to pets at home tommorrow see if they can test it. They seem ok little startled but one found a dark quite spot by the filter.. Oh yeah filter in still yeah? I'm here. The app is slow for me

 

Are all the fish and bamboo still in the tank

 

For filtration, yes sponge filters are good for shrimp because they will not suck babies in and the dirt that builds up on them becomes a perfect grazing ground for all of the shrimp. It will be full of plant matter and biofilm elements that the small shrimp need. The drawback is that you can't add carbon to them if the need ever arises. I am using the power filter that came with my tank but I tied some nylon stocking around the intake that provides the same benefits as a sponge. My shrimp are always picking at it and actually keeping it clean. I did buy a sponge pre-filter but haven't tried it yet. The stocking is working so why mess with it.



I have also read that shrimp and snails are a perfect symbiotic combination. The shrimp will feed on the snail waste and supposedly that will help with their digestion in some way. The video I saw had Trumpet snails in with the shrimp but others would probably be just as good.



the 60l tank will definitely be better. especially for the Cories.

My crs and bvs were always at the filter picking at it. I found they kept it clean to. Great little helpers

Are all the fish and bamboo still in the tank

Yes. Corys snails and shrimp

 

Ok leave them all in there for now if you find another bug let me know and put plan B into motion, but leave the tank bare put some stress Coen in if you have some if not don't worry

 

Forgot take filter out and wash in some aquarium water all of it then replace with popsosk in place this will stop any nasties getting in

 

Ok leave them all in there for now if you find another bug let me know and put plan B into motion, but leave the tank bare put some stress Coen in if you have some if not don't worry

Ok will keep a close eye on it. I don't have any stress stuff (joke is I thought about it the other day but never grabbed any)

 

I was thinking for you lol get your dad to check his tank as well

 

I was thinking for you lol get your dad to check his tank as well

Defo will. Iv already text to let him know the discovery.. his reply was just "Oh for God's sake" I guess he's on the check now

 

Sorry your not still at home I thought you both had tanks in the same house

 

Sorry your not still at home I thought you both had tanks in the same house

No not for a long time now. Independence lol. I think he was happy for me to go.. kept poking around in his tank. He was defo glad to see my rabbit snails go. They we're originally in his tank.

 

He's got nothing to worry about you'd better tell him before he has a breakdown

 

He's got nothing to worry about you'd better tell him before he has a breakdown

He already said I need to take all the stuff out my tank and that I need to stop getting plants from that just for pets. I didn't tell him to check his tank. His is ok far as I know... little bit of plant overgrowth but nothing major

 

Get some plants from him and get rid of yours, I can also let you have some plants I've got plenty keep cutting back and throwing so I'll hold back on some

 

Get some plants from him and get rid of yours, I can also let you have some plants I've got plenty keep cutting back and throwing so I'll hold back on some

Yes I think it best to get rid of the plants,, seem to get too many little beasties from them. If had pond snails aswell. Noticed that straight away and got rid

 

Not a problem do that and we'll renew

 

Not a problem do that and we'll renew

Update with parameters. Just had the water tested. Bit gutted they test with strips aswell but at least I got the ammonia checked.

Nitrate 20
Nitrite 0
Ph 7.0/7.5
Kh 40
Gh 120 (still have no idea what's going on there)

Ammonia was about 0.5
She reccomnded that I do a 20% change and take a sample back in to them in a few days.

Tanks is looking ok.. Bit empty but ok lol. No more nympth have been seen or found.. I've basically been glued to my tank for the last couple days

 

HI Rhia those readings are fine on my chart, they are using King British papers and I use API KH 40 = 2/3 on my chart and GH 120 = 7 on my chart so no problems I have red crystal and fire reds in the same tank breeding at those settings, if there had have been a problem I would have expected ammonia and nitrite to be high, ide have no worries putting shrimp in there but lets leave it a few more days to see if we get any more Nymphs and in that time you can do a water change and get new readings just to satisfy ourselves its good to go, I honestly believe the problem was the Nymph

 

HI Rhia those readings are fine on my chart, they are using King British papers and I use API KH 40 = 2/3 on my chart and GH 120 = 7 on my chart so no problems I have red crystal and fire reds in the same tank breeding at those settings, if there had have been a problem I would have expected ammonia and nitrite to be high, ide have no worries putting shrimp in there but lets leave it a few more days to see if we get any more Nymphs and in that time you can do a water change and get new readings just to satisfy ourselves its good to go, I honestly believe the problem was the Nymph

I thought the ammonia was going to be higher. Was glad that it was low (not a 0 but not major) yes defiantly will have a close eye for the next week (if not next year lol) I'd never heard about those nymphs I can't believe that nasty little thing caused them all to die. Is there a certain reason they died because of it ( I.e the nymph feeds on them. It lets off a toxin.) I'm curious about it now lol

 

during the early stages the nymph will shed a dozen or so times to grow and being in a shrimp tank gives him just what he needs an easy source of food and that's the shrimp, during this time of transformation it will grow wings while under water and when ready takes flight to start on making the next generation, it will also kill fish not all but it as been known

 

during the early stages the nymph will shed a dozen or so times to grow and being in a shrimp tank gives him just what he needs an easy source of food and that's the shrimp, during this time of transformation it will grow wings while under water and when ready takes flight to start on making the next generation, it will also kill fish not all but it as been known

Urgh! Sounds like a right horrible little thing. Glad I spotted it and it's gone. Fingers crossed for no more popping up

 

What's the laters Rhia

 

What's the laters Rhia

All seems good in the tank I haven't seen anymore nasties (still got a close eye on the tank tho) all inhabitants seem good. Taking some tank water in to the pet store tomorrow see what that is saying. I tested my strips this morning and all was fine so I think tommorrows check might be the same aswell. Hoping for a 0 on ammonia ( which I doubt but hoping)

 

The ammonia may still read something on the strips, let me know what happens tomorrow but I think we can restock sometime this week or weekend it's up to you, I have a piece of wood in my crystal tank I want to take out and make it up with moss but I'll do that nearer the time I've also got plenty of plants so we'll look at the situation tomorrow

 

The ammonia may still read something on the strips, let me know what happens tomorrow but I think we can restock sometime this week or weekend it's up to you, I have a piece of wood in my crystal tank I want to take out and make it up with moss but I'll do that nearer the time I've also got plenty of plants so we'll look at the situation tomorrow

Restocking sounds good.. Nice to know we caught the problems in the tank and have managed to resolve them. Make it up with moss,, what does that mean.. would it make it a piece of wood with the moss growing on it