CRS nano tank setup

[Marc.munoz31]

Well finally decided to try my hand at CRS. I currently have 29g planted with lots of cherries, I know the 2 breeds take much different water parameters. I'm looking to use the 5 g fluval chi I received for Xmas for the CRS, not sure what else to use it for lol. Would this tank be suitable and what all do I need? The tank has been cycling for 2 weeks. I'll be adding Amazonia this weekend to help lower PH, that's about as far as I've gotten. Do I need plants and upgraded lighting? What kind of filtration, will the chi filtration work? Need some help any input appreciated.

[mistahoo]

For the chi if there isn't any livestock in it, I would add the Amazonia right now and give it another 2 weeks before adding any livestock. You can add plants to it right now if you put the Amazonia in. I can't quite remember what the filter was, but it's plenty enough for a shrimp only tank. You could possibly put 6-7 fish along with the shrimp. The filter isn't strong enough to handle much more than that. The light on it is pretty weak. There's a lot of retrofits out there for that center cube that you could do. The light would work some some low light plants like anubias, crypts, mosses, etc.

[madehtsobi]

CRS nano tank setup

I have some benibachi crystal red shrimp when your ready!

[Marc.munoz31]

Thanks mistahoo. Yes I plan to let it run another couple weeks once I have the soil. I plan on taking some clipping from my anubias and moss ball for the tank. I want plants that are low maintenance because I know the shrimp aren't.

Madehtsobi ill be looking for them once the parameters are right don't want to hurt these nice shrimp.

[mnemenoi]

TDS was the issue I found to be the toughest when I tried unsuccessfully to keep them in the past. We began using only RO water and now have a thriving CBS colony. It is in a 6 gallon with a small school of Bororas and some otos and they do quite well.

[Marc.munoz31]

Thanks for the info. Anyone know the preferred temp?

[mnemenoi]

My recommendation is room temp for the CRS/CBS. I do not run a heater on my tank and have read quite a few articles suggesting that they prefer cooler temps. My guess would be 70-78, though a bit cooler and warmer would most likely do. Nearly all the dwarf shrimp (except the Sulawesi) come from cool mountain streams (I seem to recall reading their native parameters in the upper 60's to lower 70's and very soft acidic water. I think the only reason I might add a heater would be for any tankmates.

[madehtsobi]

CRS nano tank setup

I have mine around +/- 70...