My shrimp journey

[heather_rose2001]

Thanks Neonshrimp,

Is breeding shrimp my main goal right now?

Yes, but for more than one reason. I have spent my whole life around aquariums. I have had a 80 gal. for thirteen years which is a community tank. I then purchaced this 55 gal. for other fish. I spent hours a week on these tanks and loved every minute of it, they are very calming. Raising 4 teenagers I needed to be calmed in order for the kids to survive. Well in 1999 I got injured at one of my two jobs( which I had by choice not by neccesity), but anyways, I was told I couldnt work outside the home again because of neck and back injury. So after a few years I realized I was spending more and more time on my tanks, so I got into live plants. I didnt go into great details with these other than finding which plants worked well in my tanks with my water and lighting conditions, all's going well there. Well then I found Cherry Reds and was instantly in love with them. They were just right for my hard water conditions so I bought several, and I mean alot of these shrimp. Well then we all know what happened, I had tons of shrimp, I couldnt believe it. So as to not overcrowd them I sold most of them. Whoo hoo, Im making money again, which led to more shrimp.

The other shrimps came along because I liked them, alot. So one by one I got more tanks, I got anything I thought I might need for them. I have done all I could to make them as happy as possible. I feel that if they breed successfully and their young survived, then I must have conditions to where they are happy. It has been a trail and error.

My tanks have several different plants, plus Malaysian driftwood and in two of the tanks I have decor. These tanks have either sand or gravel, some with peat and all with oak leaves. My tanks are mainly show tanks. Anyone whom walks into my home are amazed by the beauty of them. I will one day post all my tanks, but in order to post them I will haft to study on how to do that as I had to study on the shrimp keeping.

Where each shrimp have different requirements and different taste, I spend alot of time with feedings and water changes. I feed my shrimp twice a day. I feed boiled veggies, flake, spiralina, seaweed, shrimp pettets, (Shh dont tell them). Crab cuisine, cyclop ease. I dont want the same thing everday so I certainly dont want to feed them the same thing everyday.

I test water parameters every week, but mostly know their's a problem if the shrimp start behaving different from normal, which I immedialty do a water change.

My purpose for the shrimp are for my enjoyment formost, but to have happy shrimp they should breed and to not have overcrowding the young will need to go at some point. I figured I would keep a couple from each drop. So breeding is second.

As far as seeing the shrimp in my 55 gal. Well thats why I chose the Crystals and Bees to put in there. With their vivid colors I felt they would stand out in their quite well. They did, its awesome at how well I do see them, cause I was also worried about such a big tank, but no longer.

[Neonshrimp]

Thanks so much for the great explaination and story I think your shrimp are really lucky to have an owner/mother like you .

I feel that if they breed successfully and their young survived, then I must have conditions to where they are happy.

Agreed, I think this is the key to successfully raising our shrimp.

As far as seeing the shrimp in my 55 gal. Well thats why I chose the Crystals and Bees to put in there. With their vivid colors I felt they would stand out in their quite well

Great , this gives me hope for keeping a large display tank one day. I can't wait to see pictures of you tanks when you are ready

[RCSGuy]

Very great and touching story Heather Thank you for sharing that with us. you sound like a great hobbyist and person. I would like to one day be able to devote so much time (and money ) to my aquariums. In fact, I just worked since 11 AM 'till 6 PM for money to fund my very first RCS tank setup. Take care