Hallo I am a newbie Shrimp Captain and Aquascaping artist wannabe

Hi everyone, my name is Morne, I have recently left the rat race to start my own business. Hopefully this will afford me some time to pursue this hobby. I have been intrigued by auquascaping as well as being a Shrimp captain, so I hope we will have lots of interesting discussions on the topic....I mean how difficult could it be? Over the next few weeks I will be gathering some equipment to get me started, I hope I can count on you for advice as I go along, lets she where this takes me.

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Hi and welcome to the forum

I am sure you will get all the advice you need here

 

Hi and welcome. First piece of advice will be take it slow. Don't rush stocking your tank. Do a lot of reading of new tank cycling and even more on fish compatability.

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Thanks Pierre I wilk do so. I am also looking to keep things small since I don't have a lot of space. I will keep you posted. At first the aquascaping will be my main priority. Any suggestions as to plants and moss for a 40 l tank will be welcome.

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Hi, and welcome.

 

Welcome Shrimpslutt,

When your shrimp get all slutty, feel free to trade them on my corner

 

Ok so time to pick my substrate. I have decided on a bottom layer of Seachem Fluorite Black (coarse for plant roots) and a top layer of Probidio Aquashrimp (Small spheres for Shrimp eggs).
Now I did buy stability in order to cycle the tank, however apparently there are other bacteria required for cycling plants often added below the substrate such as AE Bacter? Can someone please comment on my choice of substrate, as well as how many bacterial additives and differences if any?

Thank you




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Thanks uncle millie. Will do

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As you are getting Prodibio Aquashrimp, why not get Prodibio Aqua Soil, instead of the Seachem Flourite.
Together with the Prodibio Aqua Soil you will get a starter pack, for seeding the soil, as well as seeding the water with beneficial bacteria.
The Prodibio website has instructional videos on what to use first, how to use it, and how to proceed.

For a 40 litre tank I would not get plans that get too big.
Some Anubias on driftwood, and perhaps some Susswassertang.

What shrimp are you planning on keeping?
Neocardina females carry the eggs, and the shrimplets are born directly off the mother, without the eggs being laid.

Post some pics as you proceed with the tank.

 

Is there anything else I should be adding befor putting in my substrate. I see all these powders going in the bottom of the tank prior to the substrate being added. I believe this to be the AE Bacter or similar and then there is also mention of Magnesium, Calcium and Potasium powder. Some people even add bonemeal etc. Please advise

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Thanks Pezulu, I did not even know Prodibio made the soil as well. My LFD is useless and will only sell you what they stock. I think we need to get together so we can chat.

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Ok so update. Lets assume I can get it, I will be using Probidio soil with the Probidio Shrimp mix.

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Anyone know where in Pretoria you can by Sodium thiosulphate?

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Hi

I think one of the most readily available sources of Thiosulfate is Seachem Prime.
You can get it from Majestic Pets Solutions, Ryneveld Lifestyle Centre Shop 18, Pierre van Ryneveld, Pretoria.
Or buy online from various online shops. They cost around R120 for 100ml.

 

Thanks I have seen Prime, just figured for around R50 I can dechlorinate the Vaal dam Everything adds up you know......

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Ok I am about ready to start with my tank so I am moving this to the general discussion as I believe it would be more appropriate.

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Where in Pta are you located?
There are a bunch of LFS situated all around the city, with some being excellent, and some being less than excellent.

Seachem products are, depending on who you listen to, about the best on the market.
You may pay a bit more, but you get very far with a single bottle.

Scape is a bit cheaper, but you use more to get the same result.

Tetra, Sera and other manufacturers also have dechlorinators on the market, but the quantities you have to use make them uneconomical.

 

Hi and welcome. Sure you will the help you require.

Start with a low tech setup and as you gather some experience and knowledge, only then move onto high tech

 

I am in Elarduspark. I got some Seachem products, however something as simple as dechlorination can be done with Sodium thiosulphate, 1kg is about R50 but you can do thousands of liters. Since the purpose of prime is not a very sophisticated obe I would rather use that money to buy fertiliser.

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Just keep in mind that Sodium thiosulphate only removes chlorine and not chloramine. We do have chloramine in our tap water

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