Test kit, wich type ?

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:32 pm

Hello
I am going to try and breed soft water shrimp and my water is very hard.
I tried using a couple of different testing kits from the lfs and and keep getting different readings.
I am looking for the best in each area.
ph
Ammonia
Nitrate
GH
KH
I am also looking for best way to lower hardness. R/O water mix , buffers ?
Any and all help will be appreciated.

Thanks for your time
John

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:11 pm

The best solution is to get an R/O unit, then reconstitute to the desired levels. Stay totally away from any phosphate based buffer. I just set up a soft tank and here is what I did:

Substrate: White Play sand
Water: Pure R/O
pH control: Diluted Muratic acid.

It took about 2 weeks for the tank to cycle and settle down before I could put shrimp in it. I know have it full of bumblebee and bamboo shrimp, with Endlers and SAE's for clean up crew.

See viewtopic.php?t=1306

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:54 pm

Thanks badflash

You and your thread answered alot.

As to Muratic Acid , do you by it Diluted , or do you do it yourself ? if you do it yourself at what ratio ?

Did you get the probe to hook up to your computer ? I checked out your site.

For the substrate
Silca sand is best ? so not to be effected by the acid ?

To reconstitute. I believe one thread mentioned seachem . Is this a good one ?

That is enough questions. I will try to do more researce myself.

Now back to EBAY or Aqubid to check on prices on electronic PH meters and R/O filters .
I guess a acidic tank will take alittle while longer to set up.

Thank you
John

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:38 am

Hello

Just a update
On the pHep5 Digital PH meter Mustafa spoke of in the thread badflash gave.
They are going for between $50.00 and $80.00 . Depends on the seller (EBAY)

Have a great day
John

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:26 am

I remove a pint of water from my 10 galllon tanks and put in 5 drops of the Muratic Acid from Home Depot. This jug is 20% concentration. I mix this well then add it slowly to the tanks while mixing. This takes the pH down about 1/2 point in my tank.

Shrimp&Snails · Post by **Shrimp&Snails** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:59 am

Doesn't bogwood lower PH?

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:54 pm

Thanks badflash

I will keep that in my records.

I see you shop a the same store I do ( Home Depot ) . It a great place to buy items to set up a auto fill/drain system.

Shrimp&Snails

Not for sure on the bogwood.

I am going to try a more controled approach.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
John

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:10 pm

For the substrate
Silca sand is best ? so not to be effected by the acid ?

To reconstitute. I believe one thread mentioned seachem . Is this a good one ?

Silica Sand or white play sand is not effected by normal acids. It may have some dust on it that needs to be removed. I suggest you soak it in a stong acid for a few hours to clean up the other mineral residue. Put the sand in a 5 gallon bucket, add a couple of gallons of water and 1/4 cup of acid. Mix well (use rubber gloves). Rise several times and check the pH. You can nuetralize with baking soda if needed, then rinse in R/O water. This will assure that nothing screws up your pH.

To reconstitute I use nothing at all for my soft tank. I think the food adds all the minerals needed once the tank is established. After a water change my pH is 6.5. Just before the water change it is 6.9. If you end up with really acidic water from your R/O unit, a little R/O right (seachem) will bring it up. Use no more than 1/2 tsp per 10 gallons.

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:23 pm

Thanks again

badflash

More info to keep on record.

It is sure nice to have the help of others. Instead of using the hit and miss method.
It becomes costly and a lot of shrimp deaths.

Nice rose Quartz !
You must do alittle Rock Hounding ?

Have a great day
John

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:25 pm

I used to do a LOT before I got bit by the shrimp bug

I just had to move several thousand pounds of rock and machinery to make room for my 6' round pool for my shrimp. I think I need help!

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 4:56 am

Shrimp Bug

I caught it a while back,
and I think I gave it to a few members in our local fish club.

" I think I need Help "
Dont we all, or, did you hurt your back.

My wife says the same about me.

I have 4 hobbies myself , but, after the shrimp bug, I want a bigger
Shirmp/fish room

. and somethings have to go

.

I try to look at it this way. I will be trading up.

fishcrazee · Post by **fishcrazee** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:16 pm

AHHHH shrimp bug is spreading like the plague!!! After looking through the site, I want red crystal shrimp and green shrimp. Maybe I could house green shrimp, red crystal, or red cherries together. I remember someone stateing greens and cherries could go together I was wondering if that is true though. Sorry for the topic stealing

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 4:54 pm

Hello
fishcrazee

Go to Shrimp Varieties and check out the water parameters for each species.
Go to Articles I thinks there is something in there about keeping same species in the tank together ( hybrids )

I hope this helps
John