Something’s wrong with my tank / shrimp help!!

[MarblestheBetta22]

I have this 5.5 gallon tank that I have set up with plants, including floaters, a filter and a heater. I was cycling it with fritz zyme and everything thing was going good. With my water tests over time I saw spikes of ammonia, nitrite and finally nitrate. After about 3 weeks I did a test and found 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, and 5ppm nitrate. Everything seemed good as there was a acceptable amount of nitrate and assumed it has cycled. (I’m having second thoughts)So I went to get some blue velvet shrimp (Neocardina davidi) and put them in my tank. They all seemed fine as they were swimming around and grazing on the plants. The next day I put in some hikari shrimp cuisine and there were only two shrimp that were out and eating. I think the others were hiding since I have rocks, and Java moss. Until the evening when I found one of the shrimps on its back and unresponsive. I scooped it out and did a water change. It looked like the rest of the shrimp were fine until today. I found another shrimp on its back, but not totally unresponsive as it was twitching its legs. I also saw another shrimp swimming oddly as it swam upside down, then when it landed it stood sideways (wobbling). I’m unsure if I was sold sick shrimp from my LFS or if there is something wrong with my tank or water parameters. I am going to do a water test so I’ll update you all, but I just wanted to get this post up asap so then I could get other keepers opinions. Also in one of the photos there is this white substance growing on my heater. I have no clue what this stuff is? Sorry if the photos have a glare.

I have this 5.5 gallon tank that I have set up with plants, including floaters, a filter and a heater. I was cycling it with fritz zyme and everything thing was going good. With my water tests over time I saw spikes of ammonia, nitrite and finally nitrate. After about 3 weeks I did a test and found 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, and 5ppm nitrate. Everything seemed good as there was a acceptable amount of nitrate and assumed it has cycled. (I’m having second thoughts)So I went to get some blue velvet shrimp (Neocardina davidi) and put them in my tank. They all seemed fine as they were swimming around and grazing on the plants. The next day I put in some hikari shrimp cuisine and there were only two shrimp that were out and eating. I think the others were hiding since I have rocks, and Java moss. Until the evening when I found one of the shrimps on its back and unresponsive. I scooped it out and did a water change. It looked like the rest of the shrimp were fine until today. I found another shrimp on its back, but not totally unresponsive as it was twitching its legs. I also saw another shrimp swimming oddly as it swam upside down, then when it landed it stood sideways (wobbling). I’m unsure if I was sold sick shrimp from my LFS or if there is something wrong with my tank or water parameters. I am going to do a water test so I’ll update you all, but I just wanted to get this post up asap so then I could get other keepers opinions. Also in one of the photos there is this white substance growing on my heater. I have no clue what this stuff is? Sorry if the photos have a glare.

Update:
Two more shrimp died and I’m planning on doing a test tomorrow due to the fact that it’s late where I live and I’m having tough time with my mental health (due to other things). I can’t help but feel like this is my fault or that I failed. I’m still a beginner keeper so I’m bound to make mistakes. Thank you to anyone who responds.

 

[Prestoncichlids2029]

Do not feel guilty, this is part of the process. You know what you are doing for the most part, you know the nitrogen cycle. It would appear (to even experienced aquarists) that your tank has cycled. I personally do not believe it has to do with your water chemistry. Maybe poor shrimp health prior, or death to stress…the lifespan of a shrimp is very short, a few months. Don’t give up, maybe try to get a couple platys, mollies, or guppies to help you cycle the tank if it isn’t already (they are very hardy fish and will not have any long lasting negative effects from any ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate.

 

[ProudPapa]

While your tank probably has completed the cycle, it's difficult to get shrimp to do well in a new tank. Most experienced shrimp keepers recommend letting a tank run for 3 months or longer to allow it time to build up biofilm for the shrimp to graze on.

Another possibility is a problem with acclimating the shrimp to your water. Can you describe the process you used?

 

[Prestoncichlids2029]

While your tank probably has completed the cycle, it's difficult to get shrimp to do well in a new tank. Most experienced shrimp keepers recommend letting a tank run for 3 months or longer to allow it time to build up biofilm for the shrimp to graze on.

Another possibility is a problem with acclimating the shrimp to your water. Can you describe the process you used?

Yes, however, he/she means having a tank run for 3 months or so WITH fish.

 

[MarblestheBetta22]

Do not feel guilty, this is part of the process. You know what you are doing for the most part, you know the nitrogen cycle. It would appear (to even experienced aquarists) that your tank has cycled. I personally do not believe it has to do with your water chemistry. Maybe poor shrimp health prior, or death to stress…the lifespan of a shrimp is very short, a few months. Don’t give up, maybe try to get a couple platys, mollies, or guppies to help you cycle the tank if it isn’t already (they are very hardy fish and will not have any long lasting negative effects from any ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate.

Thank you for responding, I am thinking about doing as you said and buying fish to help it cycle for longer. My original plan for stocking was to add chili rasboras and the blue velvet shrimp. I wanted to add the shrimp before the chili rasboras, as I wanted to let them adjust. But that’s when the shrimp started dying. I honestly feel like if the rest of my shrimp die though, I will stock it with something else and not do the shrimp in that tank again.

While your tank probably has completed the cycle, it's difficult to get shrimp to do well in a new tank. Most experienced shrimp keepers recommend letting a tank run for 3 months or longer to allow it time to build up biofilm for the shrimp to graze on.

Another possibility is a problem with acclimating the shrimp to your water. Can you describe the process you used?

I was going to do drip acclimation, but when I arrived home I found that I didn’t have any air line tubing. So I used a method that I saw a YouTuber do (Foo the flower horn if your familiar) where I put them in a container with the water that they came in and used a syringe, and for a time of about an hour, added some tank water every couple of minutes. Then I floated the container for an additional 30 minutes until I thought it was ready and added them in. I don’t know if this could have affected them as I couldn’t do drip acclimation. Thanks for responding.

 

[Prestoncichlids2029]

Thank you for responding, I am thinking about doing as you said and buying fish to help it cycle for longer. My original plan for stocking was to add chili rasboras and the blue velvet shrimp. I wanted to add the shrimp before the chili rasboras, as I wanted to let them adjust. But that’s when the shrimp started dying. I honestly feel like if the rest of my shrimp die though, I will stock it with something else and not do the shrimp in that tank again.

I was going to do drip acclimation, but when I arrived home I found that I didn’t have any air line tubing. So I used a method that I saw a YouTuber do (Foo the flower horn if your familiar) where I put them in a container with the water that they came in and used a syringe, and for a time of about an hour, added some tank water every couple of minutes. Then I floated the container for an additional 30 minutes until I thought it was ready and added them in. I don’t know if this could have affected them as I couldn’t do drip acclimation. Thanks for responding.

Okay, the method you used for acclimation should not have affected them negatively. I don’t believe that caused the issue. If you really like the blue shrimp I genuinely think you should still get them. I would recommend getting those rasboras, then after about a month of a healthy aquarium ecosystem, you should add the shrimp!

 

[MarblestheBetta22]

Okay, the method you used for acclimation should not have affected them negatively. I don’t believe that caused the issue. If you really like the blue shrimp I genuinely think you should still get them. I would recommend getting those rasboras, then after about a month of a healthy aquarium ecosystem, you should add the shrimp!

Thank you for the advice! I will try to get the chili rasboras and let the ecosystem develop as you said. I will probably get more shrimp as well, since it is one of the fish that I’ve wanted to get for awhile. Have a nice day!

 

[GenF211]

Are you dosing any fertilizers for live plants? If yes, some contain copper, which is deadly for shrimp. Just offering suggestions.

 

[MarblestheBetta22]

Are you dosing any fertilizers for live plants? If yes, some contain copper, which is deadly for shrimp. Just offering suggestions.

I messed up. I just checked the bottle of plant fertilizer that I use and it contained copper. I didn’t know that shrimp were specifically sensitive to copper until recently, I will stop dosing it. But will that even help? I don’t want the remaining shrimp to die.

 

[GenF211]

Im not 100% sure! I was just told that once. Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will know how to proceed. If it’s a factor on why your having problems, I hope it will help. I switched my liquid fert to Niloc thrive S. it’s specifically for shrimp.
Another thing, try getting some BacterAE. It is essentially all the things shrimp, Otto’s, and some snails eat. It will supplement your tank until your tank gets more established. I love it, just read up on it. Lots of tips on here

 

[ProudPapa]

Shrimp and snails are sensitiveto copper, but that doesn't mean they can't tolerate any, and I'm pretty sure they need some. Most fish food has some copper, but it's not enough to hurt them.

Without knowing the concentration of copper in the fertilizer it's difficult to know if it's causing problems or not. If you can post that number someone may know.

 

[MarblestheBetta22]

Im not 100% sure! I was just told that once. Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will know how to proceed. If it’s a factor on why your having problems, I hope it will help. I switched my liquid fert to Niloc thrive S. it’s specifically for shrimp.
Another thing, try getting some BacterAE. It is essentially all the things shrimp, Otto’s, and some snails eat. It will supplement your tank until your tank gets more established. I love it, just read up on it. Lots of tips on here

Thank you! I’ll read up on the stuff you use, and try to get it. By the way, I just wanted to thank you, and everyone else who has helped me. It’s great to have such nice supportive people trying to help. Have a nice day!

 

[MarblestheBetta22]

Update:

The shrimp are doing well, and one just so happened to molt! I’ve also managed to get some fish in my tank to establish it more for a few more months. I will also buy the BacterAE for my shrimp as GenF211 said. Hopefully I’ll be able to get the shrimp in spring!