2FT Starter Planted Tank

I ordered the Tangerine Tiger Shrimp, and the store has this listed as the water parameters:

Caridina Shrimp Care:


Recommended :
PH: 5.5–6.5
TDS: 100–180
Water temp: 18-22C
Our Tanks :
PH : 6.2
TDS : 130
Temp : 21C
*Note: Our parameters are listed here for your reference only. You do not need to adjust your water to exactly the same; we find stable water is more important than exact parameters.

 

Nice shrimp those, starting with RO (pH usually around 7) and necessary GH booster (and maintaining those parameters consistently) is the secondary challenge I think, the main issue being a tank that hasn't 'matured' yet (beyond even being just cycled).
Usually you'd want to add Caridina after a couple months at least, but neos will be a much easier proposition. Hopefully they can swap the order, else you could perhaps leave the shrimp with someone - LFS or forum member - for a time until your own setup is 100% up to speed.

I only keep neos and am no shrimp expert by any means, but it's a tricky situation. Hopefully others can advise options too.

 

So far its radio silence from the LPS, but I agree with you, the tank cycling is the most important part right now. Its easy enough to get RO water from the LPS up the road from me, but I think Seachem prime will be the way to go to help get thing started. I had cherry shrimps before and they were easy enough to get going and at the end of the day I have to make it work and do all i can to make sure they live and thrive

 

Yeah, Prime is only a water dechlorinator but Seachem Stability will help the cycling process. Still takes a while - usually 3 to 6 weeks - and ironically you need a KH of 4+ to really move it along (while Caridina need KH 0-1) - rock and a hard place, so I would definitely try get some seeded media from someone.
If you were in CT I'd be able to help you out. Neos, like cherries, much less risk and an easier proposition.

Not a nice feeling splashing out on quality shrimp only for them to die off, but hope it works out ok though!

 

The best advice i got was from Nano Aquatics when it comes to Caridina and i quote

'We literally NEVER measure our KH or pH (we believe stability is key, so just do the same things over and over and they will flourish). Specially the crystals, they very easy to keep. We've even kept and bred them on pool filter sand.

We use RO water with remineralising salts (salty bee GH+), purely just to breed as many as possible. Will have to check tonight but I think our TDS is around 210-215, water temp on 21 degrees'

and thats the same principal i keep my crystals and has worked so far for me , they breed and have a nice small colony going.
i also had a semi cycled tank when starting my shrimp tank but I did small water changes every second day for the first two months and i only lost one shrimp.

 

Indeed - RO water has a KH and GH of 0, so will only be affected by the additives/ hardscape items in the tank.
If small daily water changes are possible, certainly he can try, but I would still try make life easier by getting some seeded media.

My local Shoprite now sells RO for R1 per litre - not bad.

 

hmmm shoprite selling RO water do they have like a section for the RO water?, i would like to check if the shoprites in my area have that service as well, and i agree with seeded media would make life easier

 

I believe so yeah, my girlfriend actually told me about it so I've not seen the actual setup yet. Previously I'd buy it for R1.80 p/l at a water supply shop across the road.
If it's in CT I'm sure it will be in other locations soon as well.

 

I have not see this at the Checkers around the corner from us(President Hyper has one and the Total garage by the Medicross has), but I know there is an Oasis shop somewhere there at the bottom of the Pub

 

If Slaap Stad has it, im sure JHB has, we just need to find it...

 

Yeah i made a mistake as its the last week before the company closes for the festive season and everything is in a mad rush and I was tired while doing basic math yesterday and used my joined date on profile instead of thread post to do the math, but learning the hard way now... Maybe the shrimps will surprise us all and thrive in hard water with lots of water changes, will keep everyone updated...

 

Good luck!

 

Small update...

I got some more cutting from @Nirvashen again and I think he wants me to get a bigger tank lol

Thanks again for the plants man, I will be passing the extras on if anyone else wants them...

I did a 50% water change as I though the water had tannis in it, but turns out I had red algae on the glass.

the LPS (garnalegarden.co.za) owner sent me a message that stock already shipped, but he took the time to chat with me about the hard/soft ware thing and said there is someone in the area he can get to give me a hand if needed, really cool to see a LPS that still cares...

I also noticed that some of the tank decor started growing white mold, i guess things are getting ready by themselves now, but I would like to replace the light as the build quality of the hinge is really made in china and does not seem to stay tightened...

 

Tank is looking great.
It's awesome they're willing to send someone out to help you. Not often you get service like that!

 

Agreed, service like that will ensure repeat business from me as opposed to the LPS here that put all their tank lights on motion sensors and has no clue... The shrimps are on the plane at the moment, so ill probably get them tomorrow morning...

 

Nice, those extra plants will bring further beneficial bacteria into the tank and speed up the cycling.
Also cool to hear there is assistance at hand from the shrimp supplier.

I have one of those lights on my 1.5ft breeder tanks and they all seem to have that hinge issue. I forced the light into its cradle socket and tightened the screw a bit, eventually getting it to hang more or less straight.
Can upgrade down the road though I guess, although they actually manage to grow plants decently (I think they're 12W).

 

Yeah the light itself I am impressed with, just the hinge that keeps on failing....

 

At least we know what to warn other people about in the future...

 

So I received the shrimps just now but missing all the other stuff that was supposed to come with the shrimps, but packaging is decent, a cooler bog with 2 plastic bottles in it, each with 5 shrimps, and one of the shrimps looks berried as well