View Full Version : Suggestions for a Shrimp tank?
Hooked Newbie
06-23-2007, 4:32 PM
I have a spare 10G and it's killing me, so I was thinking of getting it up and running and making it a shrimp tank (probably cherry). I figure it'd be a good source of part time cleaners and free fish food for my other tanks... the tank will also serve as a hospital tank should I ever need one. Any suggestions on number to start with? Will they multiply / replenish? I plan on planting it with clippings from other tanks... what other requirements to keep it in good condition? I don't have the filter, lighting, etc. yet. Just looking for thoughts before I start it up...
legendaryfrog
06-23-2007, 4:57 PM
If you want to have some cherry shrimp in your 10g tank, you'll need to do a few things differently. First of all, a sponge filter is a MUST if you want them to breeed. More often then not, small shrimplets get sucked up into regular filters. So you'll be needing a sponge filter and an air pump. Also, i recommend you have the tank set up for about 2 months before you introduce the shrimps, as they do better in an established tank. Also, use a plant substrate, like eco-complete, and not anything to large or small (like sand)
Once you provide them with the above, they'll readily breed if you start off with at least 6-10 of them.
As for water conditions, I strongly recommend getting your pH above 7 and having medium-hard water.
Also might I add, never EVER add medications to a shrimp tank. Its almost certain death for your little shrimp.
Mgamer20o0
06-23-2007, 5:01 PM
yes i wouldnt do a shrimp / QT. get another tank for a qt or forget about the shrimp. 10 is a good number. shrimp tanks are really cool i have a 20 long.
Hooked Newbie
06-23-2007, 5:04 PM
Also might I add, never EVER add medications to a shrimp tank. Its almost certain death for your little shrimp.
Thanks for the advice! I would not have known about the sponge filter.
Sounds like the perfect excuse to get another tank too!
Mgamer20o0
06-23-2007, 5:16 PM
lol sounds like a idea..... i think a 10 gal should support 100-150 shrimp.
Hooked Newbie
06-23-2007, 5:23 PM
What's a decent / the minimum hospital tank setup? I have a 2 1/2 that's unused...
Mgamer20o0
06-23-2007, 5:28 PM
depends on how big your fish is? just like anything bigger the better. 10 gal is a nice qt for a lot of fish.
Hooked Newbie
06-23-2007, 5:38 PM
Would I be better off creating a QT with my 10 and a small shrimp tank with the 2 1/2?
RoseFishWatcher
06-23-2007, 10:08 PM
Depends on the size of fish you keep. Shrimp would probably be ok in either (although bigger is always better). In addition, if your fish can be kept reasonable in the 2.5, that's a much smaller volume to medicate.
discusman54
06-25-2007, 10:07 PM
10 gallon is the minimum for a shrimp tank, water quality can go quickly in a small tank. By the time you realize it you have have dead shrimp! Sponge filters can be ordered at Foster & Smith. I have a 15 gallon with close to 100 Cherries and a few Ghost, population is still growing. The tank is almost self-sustaining, few flakes of fish food maybe twice a week, 10% water change every 2 weeks, once or twice a month I add a few old tree leaves which are pre-soaked so they sink. Shrimp feed on algae and micro-organisms on the leaves. I use a minimum of substrate, only a few plants and some sea-shells and rocks for them to hide. Very easy and entertaining tank! Take a look at petshrimp.com for all you could ever want to know about shrimp. If you post in their forum be warned, it is a bit different than this one! They are very about their rules strict!
mellowvision
06-26-2007, 1:01 AM
got pics of the leaves in the tank? I am making a 15gal vivarium/swamp that will have inverts... very interesting.
discusman54
06-26-2007, 10:00 AM
got pics of the leaves in the tank? I am making a 15gal vivarium/swamp that will have inverts... very interesting.
Oak and Indian Almond leaves are in the back, usually have more than in this picture. Shells are at right side.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z19/aquamans/shrimp-leaves.jpg
how to setup and maintain a shrimp tank is detailed here:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/shrimp/21031-information-people-wanting-breed-cherry-shrimp.html
Hooked Newbie
06-26-2007, 8:02 PM
Thanks for the link Galen.... I think, lol Information overload!
jm1212
06-26-2007, 9:36 PM
be careful when you gravel vac!
discusman54
06-27-2007, 12:14 AM
be careful when you gravel vac!
I vac into a bucket then get in a bright light so I can see to net the babies. Always seem to get a few, they are so darn small!
Mgamer20o0
06-27-2007, 12:15 AM
i use a net. a very fine mesh over my python.
mellowvision
06-27-2007, 12:35 AM
heh. oh I see. I thought you were talkin LEAVES... like the floor covered with them as they would be in a lake shore nook. I got really excited at the prospect of that.
is that possible? a leafy rotting substrate? I mean, possible to maintain with living creatures?
discusman54
06-28-2007, 10:56 PM
heh. oh I see. I thought you were talkin LEAVES... like the floor covered with them as they would be in a lake shore nook. I got really excited at the prospect of that.
is that possible? a leafy rotting substrate? I mean, possible to maintain with living creatures?
Shrimp will pick the leaf clean, all that's left is the vein structure. I throw it out then but you could leave it.
pixl8r
06-28-2007, 11:45 PM
heh. oh I see. I thought you were talkin LEAVES... like the floor covered with them as they would be in a lake shore nook. I got really excited at the prospect of that.
is that possible? a leafy rotting substrate? I mean, possible to maintain with living creatures?
In another forum, I've read posts by an experienced shrimp keeper that has a tank just like what you described. The tank bottom is covered with brown oak and maple leaves that have been soaked to leech out all of the tannis and harmful substances. He has not done any feeding or water changes for some time (months) and the shrimp are reproducing. He states that the shrimp population is not growing as quickly as the tanks that he feeds and regularly changes the water, but they are still healthy.
FYI, the shrimp don't actually eat the leaves. They eat the microbes that eat the leaves.
discusman54
06-29-2007, 1:36 AM
In another forum, I've read posts by an experienced shrimp keeper that has a tank just like what you described. The tank bottom is covered with brown oak and maple leaves that have been soaked to leech out all of the tannis and harmful substances. He has not done any feeding or water changes for some time (months) and the shrimp are reproducing. He states that the shrimp population is not growing as quickly as the tanks that he feeds and regularly changes the water, but they are still healthy.
FYI, the shrimp don't actually eat the leaves. They eat the microbes that eat the leaves.
I post in that forum as shrimper bob, That's the same place I was referring to earlier in this thread. Great place for shrimp info. Hmm, didn't say the shrimp ate the leaves...did I?
pixl8r
06-30-2007, 12:43 AM
Sorry, I misinterpreted the reference to picking the leaves clean. :)