Ghost Shrimp or Bronze Cory's?

[Islandlady1540]

I have a 15 gal tank with five Harlequin Rasboras and one male Betta and three live plants. I would like to add either some Ghost Shrimp and or Bronze Corys. I was all set on Corys when I read that they are sensitive to salt. I add about 1/2 tsp of salt per gal to my aquarium and was wondering if that amount would affect them? Are Ghost Shrimp sensitive to salt?
Many thanks in advance.

[jm1212]

why are you adding salt?

[Mgamer20o0]

i would go with the ghost shrimp. i would also ditch the salt its not needed.

[Islandlady1540]

I knew I should of explained why I use a little salt! lol I've had fish tanks on and off over the years and I always found the over all health with a little salt added, was much better. My fish rarely if ever got sick and I guess I've believed all along that it was the salt that helped?

[jm1212]

salt doesnt help freshwater fish. in the long run, it isnt good for them.

[boomerjr91]

go ghost shrimp. there are other smaller cories though. have you ever thought of panda cories or other dwarf cories before? same personality as bronzes if not better. otherwise ghost shrimp is the way.

[Mgamer20o0]

keep up with water changes and dont over stock the tank you shouldnt have a problem.

[flapper12]

:iagree:

[Islandlady1540]

I'm a big believer in keeping up with regular water changes, so no problems there. Perhaps, I will attempt to shed my habit of adding salt and see what transpires over time. My tank is in its second week of cycling, so I will wait awhile before adding some bottom fish. Thank you all very much for the advice!

[ct-death]

Wow, your tank is nearly stock already and it's still cycling? Keep up with those readings and numerous water changes!!

Also, Corys and shrimp both do very poorly in a cycling tank...

You mentioned that you keep other fish (or have in the past at least), do you have any media you can seed with? This will help greatly.

As for salt/sick fish - Sick fish really can only happen 2 ways: Poor water or introducing something into the tank. Thus salt is really not needed, but it is an affective treatment for many illnesses once developed.

[wataugachicken]

the salt can also be affecting your plants. they may grow faster and look healthier without it.

[jpappy789]

I agree with all of the above posts. Considering your options I would go with shrimp, as bronze corys get large for a 15, but look into panda corys or pygmies. Salt...not needed.

[TKOS]

Oddly enough, I would keep the salt in for now. With a still cycling tank, the salt will help combat any damage from nitrites. Once cycled then stop with the salt.

Yes, water changes will be good at keeping the nitrites and ammonia levels down, but the small amount of added NaCl will certainly help as well.

[Islandlady1540]

Yes, I will certainly keep up with very regular water changes and water testing while the tank is cycling. I've been using cycle in hopes that it may also help to establish some good bacteria. I use a similar product in my outside "pond" filter media when I first start it up in the spring and have had good success. I won't be adding any Corys or Ghost Shrimp until the tank has finished cycling. I'm using the waiting time to ask questions about the two and do some research first. My fish are like my babies and so to keep them healthy is very important to me! Thanks again!

[TKOS]

Unfortunatley Cycle is a waste of money. It may contain something that can temporarily deal with ammonia and nitrites, but in the end does not help establish a colony of good bacteria. The best bet would either be used filter media from an establish filter, Bio-Spira (must be kept cold as it actually has live bacteria), or just good old Prime. Prime will detoxify the nitrogen waste, though it won't get rid of it. It will leave it as a food source for bacteria though and is sold as a dechlorinator.

[jpappy789]

:iagree:

[Islandlady1540]

Too bad Cycle is a waste of money. It's somewhat of a let down when a company makes false claims about a product. A friend of mine gave some Prime, but I have been hesitant to use it, because It claims to remove chlorine and chloramine and I don't have either in my water, because I use well water.

[jpappy789]

Too bad Cycle is a waste of money. It's somewhat of a let down when a company makes false claims about a product. A friend of mine gave some Prime, but I have been hesitant to use it, because It claims to remove chlorine and chloramine and I don't have either in my water, because I use well water.

It also removes toxic ammonia and detoxifies nitrite and nitrate.