16 gallon shrimp tank journal

[Vigilante]

I am going to house Crystal Reds eventually. My parameters are just leveling out so I might add some in the next few days.

[Vigilante]

Parameter Update:
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate- 2.5
PH - 7.0
KH- 3
GH- 6
Temp- 76

I have a question for those of you that are successful with breeding CRS. Besides the nitrate is anyone successfully breeding CRS under similar conditions? I have read that CRS breed best at a ph of 6.2-6.7. Just want to know if I am setting myself up for disappointment.

[eklikewhoa]

RCS will breed in sewers
CRS will breed within those params but said to breed more readily in lower pH and TDS

[TexSun]

RCS will breed in sewers
CRS will breed within those params but said to breed more readily in lower pH and TDS

+1

[Vigilante]

How are you guys controlling PH in your tanks? Is your substrate lowering your PH to those ideal levels?

[eklikewhoa]

Buffering substrates is probably one of the easier/better routes to take
RO/DI and adding back minerals/nutrients is another option which would be ideal since you can control all prams
IndianAlmondLeaves/AlderCones/peat is another option that I use(not peat but the other two) in conjunction with and love it.

[eklikewhoa]

Houston Tap is probably the worst for Cardina sp.

[Vigilante]

Ok, so since I can't get my PH where I want, I have decided to change substrates. I chose Brightwell Escuro Fine Grain. I have it cycling in a bucket for now. I have heard about the leaching ammonia with Brightwell, so I am going to wait until it is finished to change it out.

I am also seriously considering buying an AI Sol (not the nano) to replace the current lighting. I know that it is way overkill, but I am really digging how controllable they are. Does anyone here have any experience with these on a freshwater tank?

[Vigilante]

Update:
Today I changed the substrate out from Fluval Shrimp Stratum to Brightwell Rio Escuro XF. I have cycled the Brightwell outside of the tank for 2 weeks until the water parameters were good.

Water Parameters today are:
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0
PH-6.4
KH-3
GH-5
Temp- consistent 76
I also bought an RO/DI Filter last week and am planning to drop the GH this week with water changes.

I have been drip acclimating my CRS, CBS for 3 hours and they will soon go back into the tank.
Here is a pic of what it looks like after the substrate change.

photo(12).jpg

[aquabee]

It looks really nice. That little piece of wood stickin out of the substrate on the right is a lil distracting, but the rest of the scape is beautiful. Love that center piece of wood.

[Leaguecityemt]

Im glad the tank is looking good..

[Vigilante]

@ aquabee- thanks for the comments. I knew there was something off about he scape and couldn't put my finger on it. I agree that I need to do something with that piece on the right.

On another note, my shrimp seem to be happier now. I have noticed them moving around a lot more. Not sure if this has to do with the lower PH but it seems like it.

[Totenkampf]

nice looking tank, keep updates on the pH stability with that substrate. i havent heard much about it yet.

[Vigilante]

So, yesterday I did a 1.5 gallon water change with RO. Tested parameters today

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0
PH-6.4
KH-1
GH-4
Temp- 76

Ideally what should my KH and GH be at?

[Vigilante]

Finally took some decent pics of my shrimp







Current Stock is
15 CRS
5 CBS
20 Orange Neo