Going to start my tank this weekend

[SSpiffyShrimp]

I managed to pry the box from their clutches. It took them about 20 minutes to find it in the sorting facility - it had been "misplaced".

Immediately took the box home and liberated them into my tank; in the 5 minutes I was able to be there (I was on lunch from work) at least half of them were showing signs of life. I put them on a white dish so I can see who hasn't moved when I get home.

And I have bacterial film growth, so they have food.

EDITED to add: When I got home, all of them had vacated the dish, probably hungry and looking for food. So no dead loss.

[Mustafa]

I'm glad things worked out in the end! Thanks for the update!

[SSpiffyShrimp]

I've been away for a memorial service. I put 3700 miles on the rental car in 10 days... All the empty vertical space in the tank bothered me, so I wandered a few of the venues at the Gem and Mineral Show in Tucson while I was there and found this shell and sponge thing.

I'm getting some brown algae growth and the water tests perfect; but in case there's still a little organic material left on the addition, I'm going to retest in about a week.

Assuming it tests well, I'll order my shrimp in a couple of weeks. It's a 3 gallon tank, so I'm thinking maybe 20 or 30. Does that sound about right? Or maybe just order 5 and make sure they're happy before getting more?

[KenCotigirl]

Wow very interesting decorations. 20 is more than enough. I think waiting another three weeks would be smart just in case there is any organics on the decorations.

Ken

[Ace]

What exactly is the tubular looking structure? It looks so interesting. Please, share.

[SSpiffyShrimp]

That's a sea sponge "skeleton". Pretty much the same thing as coral, chemically.

[Ace]

I really really want to use sponge for aquascapping but I am too afraid that it will deteriorate and foul the water. :/

That is really very nice. I love the structure!

[Mustafa]

Awesome looking!

[SSpiffyShrimp]

There's was evidently some organic material in the sponge. After a week, ammonia and nitrite are fine, but nitrate is slightly elevated; still <5 mg/L. I'll let it go another week and check again.

[SSpiffyShrimp]

Tested this morning, all parameters where they belong; so I apparently have fully nitrifying/denitrifying conditions established.

Just placed my order for 20 shrimp!

[SSpiffyShrimp]

My shrimp order was delivered on Friday. They didn't go through the hiding phase that so many have reported. At any time at least half are somewhere visible.

I'll start a new thread with photos shortly.

[Mustafa]

Awesome! Looking forward to the new thread and the photos!