Help: Starting 10 gal planted tank

[moganman]

To get more shrimp. And also to make a little money to put back into the hobby. Shrimp have a short life span. 1-2 years, so it's nice to have a steady amount of new shrimp to replace those that are lost.

[LooksLater]

Best thing to do is take it a step at a time...don't get overwhelmed!

Get your substrate, lights, filter. Set up your tank and find as many low-demand plants as you can- annubias, crypts, java ferns, hornwort, etc...and start combing over the planted tank and invert sections of this forum (and others- try planet inverts, shrimpnow!, the planted tank forum, etc) while your tank cycles and you decide what you like and what you don't- both in regards to shrimp and plants. Introduce or replace plants as you learn about ferts, light requirements and water conditions that affect growth.

And I agree, Red Cherry shrimp or another neocardinia species are a fantastic starting shrimp, once you get the tank cycled- they love our tap water's natural pH and are very forgiving. Try others as you learn more and get comfortable with ferts, lights and what works for you.

Good luck! And if you can make it to the GHAC meeting this saturday, please do...we'd love to show you our set ups and help you out any way we can!

[Totenkampf]

We keep many shrimp tanks and do not mind helping out whenever possible

i guess i am going to have to corner you at the meeting if your n.heterpoda are breeding in tap with excel and ferts, apparently i am doing it wrong

[LooksLater]

i guess i am going to have to corner you at the meeting if your n.heterpoda are breeding in tap with excel and ferts, apparently i am doing it wrong

I don't know what could be going wrong, there?!

[Totenkampf]

maybe the shrimp are busted

[LooksLater]

maybe the shrimp are busted

Your shrimp are totally busted. You should be careful who you get shrimp from around here...some people, jeez.

[LooksLater]

But no, seriously... Are you back to using RO? I have a suspicion that RCS like the high pH and high TDS. Maybe that's it?

[Totenkampf]

i have been doing 10% WC with watermill water for a couple weeks so i doubt it has dropped the pH and TDS much.

[LooksLater]

Hmm. Then, yes. Your shrimp are busted.

[mnemenoi]

I am truly perplexed, we will have to discuss at the meeting and see if we can come up with what is the issue.