Never heard of moss balls till now I had to google it but it sounds like it wouldn’t hurt but to be honest 5 -10% water changes weekly or bi-weekly would be probably be more effective controlling nitrates.
Sounds way better than moss balls. Makes me wanna set up a freshwater tank now. Maybe when I buy that new rimless shallow tank I’ve been eyeballin I'll use my old tank for freshwater.mikeg said:I agree absolutely with Grass Snake. Water changes are as essential for shrimp as food or... well having water in the tank in the first place!! The quantities he cites sound ideal
Java ferns tolerate low nutrient levels without suffering foliage lesions, discolorations, or loss of leaves. Low plant nutrient levels -- low ammonium, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate -- make for heathy shrimp.
Try this: establish Java ferns and Anubias (both of these aquatic epiphytes grow on driftwood, but their rhizomes can grip rough-surfaced rock too). Both grow slowly, so also plant some hardy bunch plants where they won't crowd the Javas/Anubias.
As they get bigger, phase out some or all of the bunch plants. When the Javas/Anubias are big enough to absorb enough of the nutrients toxic to shrimp, they will act as a "capacitor" or "shock absorber" for any sudden upsurge in, say, ammonium ions -- which is what happens when a snail or shrimp dies of old age or any other cause.
A single animal dying, in certain circumstances, could theoretically cause cascade reaction (a.k.a. "the domino effect"), each animal's death polluting the water further, and wiping out all your shrimp in a fairly short time.
A large biomass of Java ferns and/or Anubias makes this far less likely. Both species are less demanding than many other aquarium plants, and a large pet store is likely to have more than one cultivar of each (for esthetic visual variety).
When your bunch plantts start showing stunted growth, it's time to start -- gradually -- phasing them out, as the shrimp's feces are no longer enough to feed them with the nutrient competition of larger-growing Java ferns and Anubias.
Note: do not plant Java ferns or Anubias in gravel as their roots will die. Google for details, but i used fishing-lline to gently tie mine to driftwood.
Could you ideally place oysters in your system as a safeguard against nutrient spikes? Just curious.mikeg said:I agree absolutely with Grass Snake. Water changes are as essential for shrimp as food or... well having water in the tank in the first place!! The quantities he cites sound ideal
Java ferns tolerate low nutrient levels without suffering foliage lesions, discolorations, or loss of leaves. Low plant nutrient levels -- low ammonium, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate -- make for heathy shrimp.
Try this: establish Java ferns and Anubias (both of these aquatic epiphytes grow on driftwood, but their rhizomes can grip rough-surfaced rock too). Both grow slowly, so also plant some hardy bunch plants where they won't crowd the Javas/Anubias.
As they get bigger, phase out some or all of the bunch plants. When the Javas/Anubias are big enough to absorb enough of the nutrients toxic to shrimp, they will act as a "capacitor" or "shock absorber" for any sudden upsurge in, say, ammonium ions -- which is what happens when a snail or shrimp dies of old age or any other cause.
A single animal dying, in certain circumstances, could theoretically cause cascade reaction (a.k.a. "the domino effect"), each animal's death polluting the water further, and wiping out all your shrimp in a fairly short time.
A large biomass of Java ferns and/or Anubias makes this far less likely. Both species are less demanding than many other aquarium plants, and a large pet store is likely to have more than one cultivar of each (for esthetic visual variety).
When your bunch plantts start showing stunted growth, it's time to start -- gradually -- phasing them out, as the shrimp's feces are no longer enough to feed them with the nutrient competition of larger-growing Java ferns and Anubias.
Note: do not plant Java ferns or Anubias in gravel as their roots will die. Google for details, but i used fishing-lline to gently tie mine to driftwood.
Could you post a picture or two of your tank and setupSluggy said:Yeah I have Amano shrimp.
They are amusing to watch and do somersaults when I feed them.
I haven’t, but I knew a guy who knew a guy, who had a sister that had one, and I heard those can start to smell like shit. I think that is only if you decide to have live critters.Nightshade said:
RalphTheChilihead said:I have a red cherry shrimp tank with some swordtails and a lot of java moss and driftwood and them seem to be multiplyin by the month... I just bought sum green shrimp let's see how they do! Fish keeping and growing hot peppers what a life!!!!!! Lol
Chilima said:Shrimps! your tank looks nice dude
Never actually kept some but they are pretty cool. Used to have few fish tanks 200L, 160L, 60L and 40L. But that was some time ago when I used to have more time. Maybe I need to get some now after seeing this thread