2 Gallon Tank No copepods

[shrimpshrampshrump]

I found out the tapwater in my area is high pH so I switched to RO water and have not had copepods since. Is there a way to get them back?
My aquatic plants are alive, but I am nervous about adding shrimp before anything else.

 

[Fishfur]

I found out the tapwater in my area is high pH so I switched to RO water and have not had copepods since. Is there a way to get them back?
My aquatic plants are alive, but I am nervous about adding shrimp before anything else.

If it’s pure RO and hasn’t been remineralized, then that is why no copepods. They can’t survive in pure RO or distilled water and an awful lot of fish and shrimp can’t either.

Your plants will hate it though they take longer to show the effects - but without any minerals in it, plants will suffer.

What is the tap water pH?

 

[kansas]

You can mix RO and tap water.

 

[shrimpshrampshrump]

If it’s pure RO and hasn’t been remineralized, then that is why no copepods. They can’t survive in pure RO or distilled water and an awful lot of fish and shrimp can’t either.

Your plants will hate it though they take longer to show the effects - but without any minerals in it, plants will suffer.

What is the tap water pH?

The pH of the tap water is around 7.4.
I did add salty shrimp to the water, which I should've mentioned in the original post, I apologize.

 

[3Fishnight]

The pH of the tap water is around 7.4.
I did add salty shrimp to the water, which I should've mentioned in the original post, I apologize.

7.4 is a good ph i thought. For most plants and fish.

 

[Fishfur]

7.4 is a good ph i thought. For most plants and fish.

It’s fine so long as it’s not acidic but it’s the GH that’s more important for crustaceans.

What is the pH of the tap water - just curious how high it is?

 

[shrimpshrampshrump]

It’s fine so long as it’s not acidic but it’s the GH that’s more important for crustaceans.

What is the pH of the tap water - just curious how high it is?

The GH took 8 to 10 drops, it was hard to tell for both me and the employee of the store who was helping me do the test. FWIW, the KH took 4 drops.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

If you can harvest it (2.5 should be easy) I have the best results with rainwater. Even topping off my 10 gallon daphnia tank with tap results in die off. My outdoor tubs do great, again until I use the hose lol I have two 55g rain barrels mainly for the gardens nearby. Both also house cultures because why not The indoor cultures are smaller and much more sensitive.

I have had many die offs. The most recent was because my taro tubers had been consumed from the inside leaving a husk I thought had food in it. My bad. It's better now.

 

[shrimpshrampshrump]

If you can harvest it (2.5 should be easy) I have the best results with rainwater. Even topping off my 10 gallon daphnia tank with tap results in die off. My outdoor tubs do great, again until I use the hose lol I have two 55g rain barrels mainly for the gardens nearby. Both also house cultures because why not The indoor cultures are smaller and much more sensitive.

Do I need special equipment to gather rainwater? I live in an apartment, so it's a bit difficult, but not impossible.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Do I need special equipment to gather rainwater? I live in an apartment, so it's a bit difficult, but not impossible.

For small amounts like you need, a bucket where it can get even just a bit of water can give a lot more than you think I have a habit of leaving buckets outside while doing yard work lol Don't mean to because I'm always looking for a missing bucket. But even a drizzle can leave a cup or two. Wider the top the better (mop buckets) but any old container that can be in the rain (even a soda bottle with a funnel) will work. Can always setup a few small ones like that then store in jugs.