16 gallon shrimp tank journal

[Vigilante]

Documenting the progress of my shrimp tank.
Tank is an Innovative Marine 16 gallon(bought from fishbox member Leguecityems).
Substrate- Fluval Shrimp Stratum
Added some plants and driftwood from my other tank to hopefully transfer some bio-bacteria.
Also added a dirty filter cartridge that I took from my HOB filter on my other tank.

Plans for aquascape: Driftwood, gray rock (not sure what kind or what its called), HC foreground, and have not decided on background plants yet. I have a large branching piece of driftwood on the way. Here are some pics

DWL16.jpgDWL17.jpg

The rock that I would like to add is going to look similiar to this:
background022.jpg
Does anyone know what kind of rock this is and where I can get my hands on it?

Here is a pic that I shot of the tank as it sits now(Water still a little cloudy from substrate):


I have already run into a problem with my plans for this tank. So I have tested water parameters and so far so good. I am going to keep testing over the next couple of weeks. I am severely impatient, so I decided to add 2 yellow shrimp from my other tank, so that this tank had a little life to it. My problem is that I did not anticipate that the openings for the the overflow will allow the shrimp to enter the rear sump area. So needless to say both shrimp have moved into the back of the tank. I can get them out with a homemade trap, this is not the problem. I need suggestions as to what I could do to the overflow holes to keep the shrimp from entering the sump. I have considered stainless mesh on the back side of the slots, but attaching them will be aesthetically conducive. Also I would need a way to remove the mesh as needed for cleaning. So I am looking for some advice on how I can keep shrimp out of the overflows but at the same time not be an eye sore.
Here is a pic of one of the overflows:



Any suggestions for a fix would be appreciated.

[mnemenoi]

Maybe a scrubber pad or a sponge to cover the overflow area.

The stone is Seiryu or Okho, but there are a variety of different types. Almost all are from Japan and can be quite costly. ADG and I think Fish Gallery both have them. I see them online as well, try Ebay I remember some decent Okho over there awhile ago. They are inert for the most part and why they are sought out as they will not usually alter your water chemistry.

[eklikewhoa]

The stone pictured is of the true Seiryu rocks, you can find similar that have been offered by members and online on other forums that are Japan Bonsai rock which will be sold under the same "name". Seiryu is suppose to slightly increase pH and KH.

For your oveflow, could you get a picture of the back side of your grates? Maybe you can attach some black wide opening CrossStitch grids to the back of it to keep your shrimp from making it back there.

Keep an eye on your params with the substrate and it would probably speed up the process by doing daily water changes. Let us know how the substrate works out, I have read conflicting reviews about the fluval line.



BTW, Welcome to the Box!

[Vigilante]

Thanks for the info on the rock.

Here is a pick of the back side of the overflow. I could not get a pic without the glare. It looks like the back of the vertical slots are flush with the inside of the the overflow since they are cut into the back panel of the tank. If you look close enough you can see a 1/4" plastic lip on the bottom of the overflow. This is the only piece that protrudes from the back of the overflow.

[sunkenmetal]

Go to city pets and get some of the black rectangular foam...

then cut it so that it goes the width of the overflow...

[eklikewhoa]

Go to city pets and get some of the black rectangular foam...

then cut it so that it goes the width of the overflow...

+1

[sunkenmetal]

Was at city pets yesterday and they had some that would be perfect for what you need... Plus you can go to teahouse and get boba milk tea lol

[Vigilante]

Excellent idea! Thanks guys

[sunkenmetal]

No problem...

[armthehomeless]

Glad to see that thing up and running. Glad you got it before I pulled the tirgger!

[Vigilante]

Thanks man, btw all of the shrimp I got from you made the transition and are doing well. I'll be waiting patiently until you have some OEBTs for sale :)

[Vigilante]

Well, I finally got my piece of driftwood in, and I am not impressed with it. After soaking it, it started falling apart and was very weak. I decided that I was not going to use it, so I went to City Pets and picked up some Manzanita branch. After that, it took me a couple of days to track down some slate to mount it. I finally went to Alamo Stone in Stafford and they had slate shingles that were predrilled (I finally lucked out). So here is a pic of the mounted Manzanita in the tank:

photo(11).jpg

I also spent a lot of time this week looking for rock to compliment the Manzanita Branch. I was going back and forth between Seiryu, Black Star and Ohko. I decided on Ohko and noticed that Hip had some for sale. I picked up these pieces from him:
photo(10).jpg

And here they are in the tank:
photo(8).jpgphoto(9).jpg

[HiepSTA]

Nice! Lets get sone flame moss on those branches :)

[Vigilante]

I have to agree with you :)

[R_sustaita]

Nice set up. What kin dof shrimp will you house there?