How Do You Keep The Cycle Going On In Crystal Red Shrimp Tank

Hello everyone,

I was thinking about cycle in my shrimp tank yesterday and got two questions popped up in my head. It seems like I could not find an answer on the internet. Hopefully, some shrimp experts would help me to answer these questions.

1) Can 20 crystal red shrimps (CRS) keep the cycle going in the tank since they have a very small bioload?

2) The ideal pH to keep CRS is 6.0 to 6.5 and temperature is around 70F to 74F. I use Fluval shrimp stratum for my CRS tank and I got pH between 6.0 and 6.2 (I use pH meter to measure it) and my temp is around 72F. My question is: Can nitrifying bacteria survive in that low pH and low temp?

Thank you,

 

really it won't cvle at pH 6. You don't really need to cycle it because ammonia changes to nh4 at low pH, and nh4 is much less. deadly.

 

really it won't cvle at pH 6. You don't really need to cycle it because ammonia changes to nh4 at low pH, and nh4 is much less. deadly.

Thanks Discus-Tang!

Does it mean that you don't need to cycle a tank for Crystal Red Shrimp?

Here is how I cycle my shrimp tank: I add ammonia powder until I get 1.0 to 1.5 ppm ammonia and adjust temp to 82 F. I also use tap water instead of RO water. Then, once the tank is cycled, I do 100% water change with RO water (not tap water this time), remineralize it, adjust temperature to 72 F, then add shrimps. Within 2-3 days, the active substrate brings pH to 6.0-6.2

 

They don't really have enough bioload, most people rely on plants for shrimp tanks, thought a filter is there for mechanical and backup.

 

I agree with mac.

I only use a sponge filter for mechenical filtration and clean it out every couple of weeks in old tank water.

 

They don't really have enough bioload, most people rely on plants for shrimp tanks, thought a filter is there for mechanical and backup.

Though the shrimp food would still release ammonia.

 

Well now I’m confused! Pulled this up to get hubby to tell me all about the crystal red shrimp and there are no pictures. Anywhere. (Pouting).

 

Gypsy13 Here you go!

Red cherry shrimp

 

Gypsy13 Here you go!

Source: The Aquarium Guide

Thank you! Hubs told me to go away. But he did tell me how pretty it is! Sounds like a candy cane!