Caridina Shrimp vs. KH

Hi Everyone--
I understand that Caridina require water with a KH of 0-1
I have a 20 gallon that I've been attempting to keep caridina shrimp in.
I started with 7 shrimp and I lost all but two (after 2 months or so). I do bi-weekly water changes of 15% and use remineralized RO water with GH minerals only. I remineralize to a TDS of 100 (GH = 4) and KH = 0. I have a buffer substrate in the tank to keep my PH low and I also have a CO2 system setup on this tank.

Yesterday I added liquid fertilizer and I JUST lost one shrimp (leaving me with only one). I did some reading and I found that CO2 (which, again, I have on this tank) increases the KH. I did a water change one week ago and I just measured my KH at 5. I literally never thought of the CO2 as being a problem until now. Is it possible that the fertilizer also did something? The timing is very suspicious for it to be JUST the CO2?

What's the recommendation when it comes to caridina? Should I move my single remaining caridina to a different (cycled) tank that doesn't have CO2? I feel like the substrate also leaches KH at some points. Is that going to be a problem?

Let me know your thoughts!

 

Co2 fluctuates your ph which is a killer on shrimp,
The tank in question seems fine apart from co2 and adding ferts, I know there are shrimp safe ferts but I've never used them in 11years, instead why don't you use a substrate that will not only feed your plants but will keep your ph down to 6.5 without the fluctuations of co2
I use and have always used Flora Base Pro and nothing else no ferts no co2 nothing fancy or expensive because they advertise as a must have
I would put it down mainly to co2 for your looses

 

Bummer-- I had a feeling that was it-- i was just hoping that I was wrong though. I have a PH buffering substrate; fluval stratum (mixed with eco complete for plants)) in all of my tanks. I've never used fertilizer until the other day because I was noticing some of my grass plants keep dying on me. I just double checked that the fertilizer I added says that it's shrimp and snail safe though so I think you're right about the CO2.

Can you just confirm that NO shrimp (not even neo's) should be in the planted tank with CO2? That's totally fine but I just want to make sure. I have 3 ten-gallon tanks and 1 five-gallon, none of which have CO2-- I just want to choose carefully!

Thank you for your help!

 

I certainly wouldn't have it in any Caradina tank.
If you use it in Neocaradina I'd make sure your bps is as low as possible, you don't want a ph fluctuating more then .5 fast
I know some use it with Neocaradina

 

I have always had the hardest time with caridina shrimps, specifically crystal red/black. They all die off like yours did over two months and there usually is only one or two left. I really don't know what it is. I don't use ferts or CO2.

 

I certainly wouldn't have it in any Caradina tank.
If you use it in Neocaradina I'd make sure your bps is as low as possible, you don't want a ph fluctuating more then .5 fast
I know some use it with Neocaradina

BPS = bubbles per second haha I had to google that one

I have it at about 2 bubbles per second now, I can play around with it for sure-- thanks for the heads up!