Rcs Moulting Problem

Hi
My 20 gallon tall has only RCS in it. I initially brought 10 adult RCS home but they started dying one after the other and almost every time I'd see them in a partially moulted state. Quite fortunately, however they had a few babies before they all died. So there's no adults but around 2 dozen baby RCS rn. Now the problem with them is the same as the adults had. I've recently seen a few dead mid sized RCS dying after a partial moult :/
Is there anything I can do to save the rest ?
The pH was around 7 last I checked
Idk about the exact hardness of water. Don't have a kit so I can't be sure :/
P.s :There are a few dense plants and a piece of driftwood with a little java moss in the hardscape.
Thanks

 

You likely have a low tds as well. Add a calcium supplement. Of course, if you have concrete for water, it could also cause the problem. Youd likely know if your water was too hard, as youd be wiping down everything your water touched constantly to remove the deposits.

 

You likely have a low tds as well. Add a calcium supplement. Of course, if you have concrete for water, it could also cause the problem. Youd likely know if your water was too hard, as youd be wiping down everything your water touched constantly to remove the deposits.

Yes there's usually a lot of deposits around the water evaporation line so I guess it's on the harder side. What do you suggest I do about that ?

 

Depends. You really need to know your calcium amount, or at least kh and gh. I have pretty hard water but my amanos molt regularly. They're a little tougher than rcs though. My kh is also pretty high, and I know I have enough calcium. There's other reasons for bad molts, but calcium deficiency is usually the culprit.

Edit: sorry I forgot your ph was 7. With hard water and a ph that low, I would say fairly confidently you are dealing with calcium deficiency. Crushed cuttlebone is a popular method to help. Just grind up a regular old cuttlebone. They're pure calcium. There's other methods but I'm sorry a can't remember them off the top of my head.

 

A GH/KH test kit is pretty important for shrimp keeping. A GH between 6 and 10 is ideal for neocardina

 

Depends. You really need to know your calcium amount, or at least kh and gh. I have pretty hard water but my amanos molt regularly. They're a little tougher than rcs though. My kh is also pretty high, and I know I have enough calcium. There's other reasons for bad molts, but calcium deficiency is usually the culprit.

Edit: sorry I forgot your ph was 7. With hard water and a ph that low, I would say fairly confidently you are dealing with calcium deficiency. Crushed cuttlebone is a popular method to help. Just grind up a regular old cuttlebone. They're pure calcium. There's other methods but I'm sorry a can't remember them off the top of my head.

Thanks
I'll surely check that out!

 

Mak when you say a GH of 6-10 what are you referring to, so many people toss out numbers that can be misinterpreted. 6 to 10 PPM, 6 to 10 DKH, or 6 to 10 drop to change the color? I am asking only to help the OP who maybe confused.
danelch I have found the best way to use cuttlebone is to wash it off good and stick it under a rock or driftwood. I do not crush it or add it to my filter.
One word of caution on cuttlebone, the most common way to get it is to just buy it from the bird section at the pet store, however, make sure it is just plain cuttlebone not additives. I guess some birds like a little flavor. Shrimp don’t and it might kill them.
Also, it is not uncommon for the adult shrimp you bought home to die off, there are a lot of theory’s why this happen, but I bet if you were to ask 8 out of 10 people have experienced this. I don’t have an answer as to why but it does happen very often. Good news is If the Zoe’s survives they will make up your new colony.

Good luck

 

Mak when you say a GH of 6-10 what are you referring to, so many people toss out numbers that can be misinterpreted. 6 to 10 PPM, 6 to 10 DKH, or 6 to 10 drop to change the color? I am asking only to help the OP who maybe confused.
danelch I have found the best way to use cuttlebone is to wash it off good and stick it under a rock or driftwood. I do not crush it or add it to my filter.
One word of caution on cuttlebone, the most common way to get it is to just buy it from the bird section at the pet store, however, make sure it is just plain cuttlebone not additives. I guess some birds like a little flavor. Shrimp don’t and it might kill them.
Also, it is not uncommon for the adult shrimp you bought home to die off, there are a lot of theory’s why this happen, but I bet if you were to ask 8 out of 10 people have experienced this. I don’t have an answer as to why but it does happen very often. Good news is If the Zoe’s survives they will make up your new colony.

Good luck

Thanks !
Really helpful

 

Mak when you say a GH of 6-10 what are you referring to, so many people toss out numbers that can be misinterpreted. 6 to 10 PPM, 6 to 10 DKH, or 6 to 10 drop to change the color? I am asking only to help the OP who maybe confused.
danelch I have found the best way to use cuttlebone is to wash it off good and stick it under a rock or driftwood. I do not crush it or add it to my filter.
One word of caution on cuttlebone, the most common way to get it is to just buy it from the bird section at the pet store, however, make sure it is just plain cuttlebone not additives. I guess some birds like a little flavor. Shrimp don’t and it might kill them.
Also, it is not uncommon for the adult shrimp you bought home to die off, there are a lot of theory’s why this happen, but I bet if you were to ask 8 out of 10 people have experienced this. I don’t have an answer as to why but it does happen very often. Good news is If the Zoe’s survives they will make up your new colony.

Good luck

6-10 dkh or drops, they are conveniently the same thing Thanks for clarifying

 

No thank you for clarifying.

 

You can put a cuttlebone in your filter too. If you have snails you can just add it directly to the tank in the water. Snails will like it. Will keep their shells healthier.