Hi,
I was given a 20 gallon tank with various species of shrimp, 1 clam, lots of plants, and way too many snails! This was given to me by a lady who could not take it with her when she moved. I have never had a shrimp tank before and could use all the help I can get! I went to the Beginners articles and read them all, which was very helpful...to a degree. Because the tank was so full of plants, I took a bunch out and put them in my 10 gallon tank that has 1 Pleco and a ton of snails that I took out of the shrimp tank. I left the Zebra snail & the Tracked snail in with the shrimp (and I know there are still tons more that I haven't gotten to yet). I did a test strip on the water and the CH and KH are 180, pH 7.5, NO2 & NO3 are 0. What should the proper levels be? The tank has CRS, Ghost, Tiger and some that I have no idea of the species. I should also mention that at least 8 of the shrimp are carrying eggs. I've noticed a few worms and some super tiny swimming "dots" (no idea what they are). After reading the Beginners articles, I realized that I was over feeding them (went by the instructions on the shrimp food and the crab food packages). Can anyone give me some helpful ways to keep my shrimp tank healthy and nice?
Thanks,
Annette
Water quality question
Moderator: Mustafa
Re: Water quality question
Welcome to the forum! 
Well, if your shrimp are carrying eggs, you must be doing something right. Shrimp don't usually breed when they are not happy. Don't worry about "correct" water parameters. Just make sure that you have dechlorinated water in the slightly alkaline range and you should be able to keep and breed pretty much any shrimp out there. The exact values are not that important.
Well, if your shrimp are carrying eggs, you must be doing something right. Shrimp don't usually breed when they are not happy. Don't worry about "correct" water parameters. Just make sure that you have dechlorinated water in the slightly alkaline range and you should be able to keep and breed pretty much any shrimp out there. The exact values are not that important.Re: Water quality question
Thank you, Mustafa! I've noticed that I have baby shrimp now & there are a couple of shrimp carrying eggs that weren't before. I guess the old saying applies, "If it aint broken, don't fix it"? I look forward to learnimg from this wonderful forum you have here
Re: Water quality question
You're welcome! Yes, if things are going well, definitely don't change anything.
Yes, if things are going well, definitely don't change anything. amccauley wrote:Thank you, Mustafa! I've noticed that I have baby shrimp now & there are a couple of shrimp carrying eggs that weren't before. I guess the old saying applies, "If it aint broken, don't fix it"? I look forward to learnimg from this wonderful forum you have here