When can you add the supershrimp Mossball to the tank?(new setup)

[PoliteViking]

I know you need to let the tank "mingle" for 4-6 weeks before adding shrimp.
Curious on when it's safe to add a moss ball?
Would this speed up the "mingle"?
Anyways to speed up the tank setup process?

I'm using:
-aragonite sand
(https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostor ... gLZIPD_BwE)
-Instant Ocean Sea Salt for Aquariums half strength
-Reverse osmosis water
-In a blown glass bowl on drift wood
(https://www.worldmarket.com/category/ho ... lsrc=aw.ds)


Would love any feedback on my setup.
Thanks!

[sliphorn]

I know you need to let the tank "mingle" for 4-6 weeks before adding shrimp.
Curious on when it's safe to add a moss ball?
Would this speed up the "mingle"?
Anyways to speed up the tank setup process?

I'm using:
-aragonite sand
(https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostor ... gLZIPD_BwE)
-Instant Ocean Sea Salt for Aquariums half strength
-Reverse osmosis water
-In a blown glass bowl on drift wood
(https://www.worldmarket.com/category/ho ... lsrc=aw.ds)


Would love any feedback on my setup.
Thanks!

..
How much water does the bowl hold? It does not look like enough for success. The smaller the amount of water the greater chance of error.

You can add the supershrimp mossball anytime.
..

[PoliteViking]

It says the large containers can hold a gallon.
The reviews show a lot of beta fish in them.

https://res.cloudinary.com/powerreviews ... boqbws.jpg

https://res.cloudinary.com/powerreviews ... dtmo22.jpg

[Dch48]

A Gallon is good

[redhotshrimp]

I've read that driftwood is not good for Opa Ulae since tannins from the wood can decrease the pH. Probably the driftwood should be removed, or you should monitor the pH.

[Dch48]

The wood is not in contact with the water.

[Super Jess]

Those bowls look neat! Definitely get the big one. You will want to find a way to cover the top to keep stuff from falling in and contaminating the water, and to reduce evaporation.

Add the mossball whenever you like. It should contain some good bacteria to help kickoff the cycle, too.

[Vorteil]

I personally woundn't put the mossball in till after the Opae have been in the tank. My reasoning is what will the mossball feed on? These's no waste from the opae in there? You're essentially adding a plant to a blank tank with no means of sustaining it? Why not put it one once the opae are in or wait a week or two after?

[sliphorn]

I personally woundn't put the mossball in till after the Opae have been in the tank. My reasoning is what will the mossball feed on? These's no waste from the opae in there? You're essentially adding a plant to a blank tank with no means of sustaining it? Why not put it one once the opae are in or wait a week or two after?

..

I hear ya, but it's pretty difficult to kill off a mossball. Only a short time will pass before the tank is ready for shrimp and the mossball might help with cycling.
..

[Dch48]

Plants feed off products present during a cycle. They actually feed better off of ammonia than nitrites or nitrates. So, if you just drop a few pieces of flake food in every so often during the cycle, the mossballs should do fine. Think about this. How does the initial algae form?

[Mustafa]

The Supershrimp mossballs are pretty tough and can survive without nutrients "forever." Trace amounts of micro- and macronutrients are always in the water due to normal biological processess. Plus, many bacteria and algae can get certain nutrients from rocks, sand, and even glass and plastic.