Have been lurking for a long time..... Now need help....

[Mustafa]

Sounds like things are going in the right direction.

[Carolina]

It seems like it... I am monitoring the amonia levels just in case because of the cloudy water, and it's still 0, so that's good.
The shrimp calmed down by now, they are back to their normal routine.
For better or worse, I do think sl aqua purify did help with the hair algae.... Too bad it turned the water cloudy.... But I don't think that nightmarish infestation would start resolving so quickly without it.
Anyways.... From one adventure to another.... I will keep on learning

[Mustafa]

The only way that additive *may* (and by no means is this certain or highly likely even) have helped is by its bacteria first consuming nutrients as they grow. But...since it's a closed system as the bacteria die (and they sure will) the nutrients will get released into the water again over time. Just don't use it anymore. Just stopping feeding will usually kill algae due to nutrient deficiencies.

[Carolina]

The only way that additive *may* (and by no means is this certain or highly likely even) have helped is by its bacteria first consuming nutrients as they grow.

That's exactly what I think happened Mustafa, and it's what they claim to do - the bacteria consuming the extra nutrients in the water..... Now they also claim the cloudy water is due to too much nutrients in the water.... which does make sense too.
I took a look at the tank this morning. No HA growth whatsoever. The tank is the same as I left last night. There is HA, as like I said I couldn't pull the fine strands attached to the rocks, but they are pale and not growing.
My hope is that your snails start eating them - I hear an algae die out can cause an amonia spike - that's my biggest fear here - they are dying.... it's obvious.

As for the shrimp..... They are fine, happy and healthy - very red, picking everywhere, and being shrimps

[Mustafa]

As for the shrimp..... They are fine, happy and healthy - very red, picking everywhere, and being shrimps

And that's really the best indicator for health. As long as your shrimp do that there is no need to do anything at all.

[Mustafa]

And even if your shrimp don't do that there is usually no need to do anything at all. Gotta love how "carefree" these animals are.

[Carolina]

As for the shrimp..... They are fine, happy and healthy - very red, picking everywhere, and being shrimps

And that's really the best indicator for health. As long as your shrimp do that there is no need to do anything at all.

Mustafa, I hit a crisis!
I noticed a shrimp struggling, sideways on the tank... (tank 1,with cloudy water).
I rushed and carefully transferred him to the new tank.... He has been swimming for a while, and for what i can see, is having difficulties to attach. He is red, and looks OK, but his bottom legs are moving really fast, while his claws are not. I am not sure if this is due to the water, or if this is a result of a bad molt?
All the other shrimp are fine, and amonia is still 0?
I am at a loss.... What's your take? Can he recover? Is he going to die?

[Carolina]

Oh man.... It's painful to watch :'(
I think his claws are damaged..... If he lands somewhere, he stays for a bit, but he can't grab hold...... then all starts again..... the swimming and swimming..... Oh I don't want him to die......
EDIT: It finally attached to the kettle-bone. It's covered in algae.... I hope it stays there for a while and gets some rest <3
Upon close inspection, it seems to be missing both front claws
I know shrimp do grow back claws.... I hope he gets his before dying..... he is active (obviously) and super red..... I just hope he can eat..... Poor little fella!

[Carolina]

In light of recent events, I decided to test the water once again to see if I had an ammonia spike - I am going to post the picture here so you guys can see how it's dead on 0:

The little guy is still hanging on..... not doing well..... But hopefully he won't die....

I have some pictures of both tanks too:
Tank #1 - This is to illustrate how cloudy the water is:


Substrate is pretty rich though and the shrimpies are grazing on it


Also grazing on the walls..... Oh that water


Cloudy, cloudy, but no hair algae....


Tank #2 - the new tank! Pretty simple, but that's the look I was going for This is a 10g


The macro algae is growing like crazy! it used to be itty bitty!


The coral..... Now covered in algae


Hard to see red on red, but there are quite a few shrimpies in there grazing on biofilm


Plenty of algae to graze on the glass too....


And that's it for now - aside for the rescue from the other tank, they are all doing well..... Hope the little fella recovers.....
Sorry it that was too many pictures!

[Mustafa]

Thanks for the pictures! It's not too many at all. Is that the Chaetomorpha that you just got from me? That's quite a bit of growth... As for the shrimp...you can't really do anything but wait. Just wish it good luck at this point.

[Carolina]

Thanks for the pictures! It's not too many at all. Is that the Chaetomorpha that you just got from me? That's quite a bit of growth... As for the shrimp...you can't really do anything but wait. Just wish it good luck at this point.

Yep, it is the macro-algae I got from you.... Half of it! The other half is as big as this one on the other tank!
The poor little shrimp was still hanging on until about half an hour ago... I lost sight of him, it might still be alive, under the pile of rocks or something. There is something really wrong with him.... The only thing I can see it can move is the little legs on its body, nothing else really.... So it swims in circles standing up, and eventually falls.... It's able to turn with some effort, and stand up. I am pretty sure this was a molt gone wrong, as none of the other shrimp are showing symptoms like these.
I hope he gets better....
Edit: I found him.... Still alive... Laying belly up, but seems to be regaining the movements on his torso and his claws. Hard to believe he will survive before my hermit crab gets to him, but he is well camouflaged... He is sure fighting.... He did eat some... We will see... Tomorrow is another day. If he makes through the night I will have more hope.

[Carolina]

Just received the other 30 Shrimpies - they are now being drip acclimated.... It will take a few hours before going into the tank.
As for the sick shrimp..... He spent all night belly up, moving his little legs... This am I decided to help him out - as soon as I touched him, he jumped and fell right side up at a great place. In a corner, protected by rocks on all sides, with lots of biofilm to graze on. If he stays there, it's his best bet to recover.
He is definitely a fighter ..... And I fee like a shrimp nurse by now

[Carolina]

Gotta say Mustafa.... Pretty impressed with your guys.
Drip acclimated them for a while and dumped them into the tank (I am trusting your water to be healthy!!!)
They called my tank home immediately - no swimming erratically, nothing - straight to the substrate, to the coral, walls and rocks. They are already picking everywhere and doing the shrimp thing.
As for my patient...... You know, I am starting to believe shrimps have brains! The little fella turned and placed himself on the top of a pile of biofilm. There he is, fully protected, and slowly eating away.
I am starting to believe he might have a chance

[Mustafa]

Yep, that sounds like my shrimp. As they don't get fed for 2-3 weeks at a time they literally jump all over any food they can find, and your tank seems to have food growing all over the place. I hope your injured shrimp makes it...if he's picking that's a good sign.

[Carolina]

Yep, that sounds like my shrimp. As they don't get fed for 2-3 weeks at a time they literally jump all over any food they can find, and your tank seems to have food growing all over the place. I hope your injured shrimp makes it...if he's picking that's a good sign.

Well.... Unfortunately the little guy didn't make it
He tried hard, but he just kept getting worse and worse, and just died moments ago....
On a good note, both tanks are doing well. All the shrimpies in the new tank are doing great, and the tank is growing (good) algae everywhere.
As for the original tank, not sure if it's wishful thinking or true, but I think the water is a tiny bit clearer. The shrimp look happier, anyway. They are coming out of hiding more and more, and there have been no casualties.
Your snails are not too happy with the water though.... Some of them are hanging on the top of the tank....
Aside from that, the Hair algae is growing really slowly now, I am leaving it alone for this week to not stress the shrimp anymore than the water might be already stressing them. The strands are so light you can barely see them.
I will do a cleaning when I come back from my trip.