My First Shrimp-only Tank Journal

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:38 pm

Well, this thread is going to be like my journal on my progress with my first totally shrimp-only tank.

I will update this regularly with info, my experiences, problems, and lots of photos. Pardon the fuzzy pictures, my camera isn't the best...

Despite what I said earlier about not being able to set up as quickly, that changed a bit. I'm getting a job very soon(most likely), and I had more money then I thought I did lol

If it seems like I am going into more detail then nescesary, that is because I want this thread to eventually be helpful to new shrimp keepers, like me.

9/09/06: Setup

Today I started setup. I Used one of my old All-Glass 10 gallon tanks. For substrate I went with a very thin layer of sand (which I rinsed first to make sure at least the majority of the micro-particles didn't end up in my tank water), that way it looks nice but isn't as hard to clean and I don't have to worry about Anoxious gas pockets forming. As oposed to a deeper sand bed.
For filtration I am using 2 sponge filters, on either side of the tank, powered by a Rena-Air 300. I am also using a Gang valve to send air to both Filters, from the same air pump.

I'm looking into lighting right now, I want something that can grow Java moss quickly. Maybe some surface floating plants too.

I filled the tank with roughly 7 Gallons RO, and 3 gallons of my well water, which is very hard, has a very high PH, and also has natural nitrAtes. (ick)

Tomorrow I am going to look into more decor/hides. I'll boil some rocks (To disinfect the rock before it goes into my tank) from my backyard, or the river I live near, and I will gather oak leaves and prepare to soak them so the tannins are gone before I put them in my tank.

Here is a picture of my progress so far: ( I know its not a very exciting pic lol, and the quality is bad...and its dark because there is no light on the tank yet...)

Feel free to post any thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:20 pm

Looks oK for now, but this setup will require lots of water changes. Java moss is not a fast grower no matter what you do, but s the ideal plant. 16 hour a day with good daylight bulbs will help. The fiters you have don't do a lot. Surface area is the key.

HOOB filter suck up baby shrimp unless you have a good sponge filter on the intake. That is why I use an UGF.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:27 pm

Thanks for the feedback badflash.

Maybe I will invest in a small HOB soon then. I'll have to see how things turn out.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:44 pm

The Fisherman

Just another idea.
I like to use over sized sponge filters.
I have Hydro-sponge V And it is air driven.
There is plenty of surface area.

John

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:33 am

Hmmm, good idea NewJohn.

When you say surface area, are you talking about bacterial growth? Or actual filtration capacity?

If its bacterial growth, I was already planning to get Bio-max for the sponge filters. I already have some in the green sponge filter.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:36 am

Hi John

Both

Since the Shrimp feed on Micro-organism's, It make a great place to graze.

John

WetPets · Post by **WetPets** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:40 am

Java moss is not a fast grower? Why would you say that...i've been growing java moss for several years now, its an extremely fast grower, allong with anacharis.

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:58 am

Hi WetPets

If you read Mustafa's Thread

Important Information ! Please Read

You Will See why Java Moss is prefered .

John

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:22 pm

Thanks for the information NewJohn.

I'll definitely try and order one of the big sponge filters, probably to replace one of the sponge filters you see in my Picture. I'll have to see how that type will work with sand thought...

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:27 pm

The Fisherman

The sponge is about 1 inch off the bottom by a weighted base.

They have some at the LPS that we both Frequent.

John

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:29 pm

Hi,

Well, I found a place online to order these filters rather quickly. I think I will wait until I start working at my LFS, and get them to order a couple for me. That way I get discounts too

I seeded the tank with a filter cartridge from another tank, so i'm going to spend a week or 2 just getting the tank matured a little more.

Then I want to add either a few Glass, or M. lanchesteri, or RCS. I may end up with a little of each lol. I am very tempted to get some RCS though, since their babys don't have a planktonic phase.

*edit: Shoot...I must have somehow missed the hydro-Vs yesterday

.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

WetPets · Post by **WetPets** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:30 pm

I don't need Mustafas article to know why java moss is prefered, I just wanted to know why someone would say java moss is a slow grower. Java Moss is a fast grower, thats what I said. If you need to, scroll up and reread, and also read the post before me. Thanks

JBN · Post by **JBN** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:34 pm

I agree with Wetpets, java moss is a fast grower. It doubled in size in less than 5 months in my 10 gallon tank. I grew so much I had to give them away.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:40 pm

Well, this isn't really the thread to be discussing Java moss' growth rate, but IMO, doubling in size in 5 months is not really very fast growth. Of course that would depend on how big it started out...and the lighting it was under...

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:00 pm

WetPets wrote:Java moss is not a fast grower? Why would you say that...i've been growing java moss for several years now, its an extremely fast grower, allong with anacharis.

As has been stated in other threads, FAST is a relative term. Green water is FAST, it doubles every day. Duckweed is FAST, it will double in 3-4 days. Riccia is FAST. It doubles every week. Compared to those, javamoss is pretty slow. Now anacharis is fairly fast. It will double in a little under a month. Even Najas and hornwort is faster.

Bottom line is that beyond a certain growth rate the plant out-competes the bacteria and algea the shrimp need. Javamoss & java fern grow slow enough that this isn't an issue.