help setting up new invert tank

[Quill]

Hi, I would love to set up an invert tank but have no idea where to begin. Can you point me in the right direction w/links, etc. :help:

[msjinkzd]

What kind of inverts do you want to keep? That will help me to give you an idea of how/where to start. For shrimp you can use either a sponge filter or HOB with a sponge over the intake. Most neocaridina shrimp (cherries, snowballs, yellows, blue pearl etc) do well in a broad range of ph's and temps. I keep mine at about 74. They look best on a darker substrate and enjoy a tank that has some dense planting. The general rule of thumb for them is about 10 shrimp per gallon of water (bioload wise). For caridina species (crystal reds, tigers, dark green, etc) they are more particular about pH and temp. They generally like a ph range of 6.2-6.8 or so. They also enjoy a planted tank adn the same rules for filtration apply, just cover the intake to protect babies. Mystery snails (apple or pomacea bridgesii) are a nice addition to an invert tank. They generally get to about golf-ball sized and need about 2.5 gallons per snail. They are plant safe but require a calcium rich diet to ensure healthy shell growth. They do best in a ph over 7, the higher the better to prevent erosion of their shells. They come in a wide range of colors from purple to magenta to ivory to gold to blue and more. They are sex specific and lay their eggs above the water line in clutches that look similar to clusters of grapes but are a light pink. They have alot of personality as well. Olive nerites are another nice snail for an invert tank. They are exceptional algae eaters but do not breed in freshwater, although they will lay small white eggs that look like pieces of rice. There are common snails as well that can be a nice colorful addition, ramshorns are my favorite. I have red, spotted, and brown. They are hemaphroditic so can readily reproduce with a food source.
Cherry shrimp reproduce very readily adn are a nice colorful shrimp to start with, as are yellow neocaridina. Hope this helps, if you have a particular invert you were interested in, let me know and I can get you links to appropriate information.

[Quill]

Thanks msjinkzd...I am soooo new with inverts that I don't even know what I want!!!! I guess first questions: is a 10 gallon sufficient? ...with plants, drift wood, and rocks? For substrate is sand ok...a particular kind? I have pool sand purchased for a different tank..can I use that. For now I think I just need to set up tank to cycle and read up on the different inverts while that's going on. I am really excited about this!!! :)

[msjinkzd]

A 10g is perfect for a shrimp tank, and even a couple of snails. www.shrimpnow.com (http://www.shrimpnow.com) and www.planetinverts.com (http://www.planetinverts.com) are great shrimp resources. www.applesnail.net (http://www.applesnail.net) is the best snail resource around. Let me know if you have any more questions :)

[thebullit]

i think that about covers it lol

[Quill]

Thanks...What substrate is best?

[msjinkzd]

I use ecocomplete, flourite, and just plain gravel in most of my tanks. I am not a sand fan, although many are. I prefer a darker substrate to help showcase the shrimp's colors.

[Quill]

Thanks jinkzd. I understand from reading that snails don't like sand? I do hope to start with cherry shrimp and a couple of snails. Oh, and thanks for the links...great info..lots to read. :)

[Fishy_Fun]

Never heard they don't like sand.i have sand in all my shrimp tanks and crushed coral in my snail/crayfish tanks.

[msjinkzd]

shrimp like sand fine, the snails can be hit or miss. I have read accounts of it working successfully, and many more accounts of snails avoiding the sand as it bothers their slime.

[Dwarf Puffers]

I've had common apple snails, ramshorns, pond snails, MTS, brigs, and golden apple snails on sand, they all readily patrol(led) the bottom. I haven't had any problems, it should be okay.