RCS setup questions

[jenjen2008]

I really want to start a planted RCS tank. I found a great deal on an eclipse 5 gallon hex but not sure if that is the greatest way to go. It has a 10w power compact bulb and I can put a sponge on the filter intake. Would this work for about 10-15 RCS or would it be too small? Are endlers safe with RCS?
Also is flourite safe to use for substrate? I also want to put in some driftwood with some java moss attached. Can I just use the driftwood/java moss and use fine gravel for substrate or do they need more plants? I hate it when there are too many options to chose from!!!

Thanks for any and all advice!

[Yadokari]

10-15 in that tank is fine. Flourite will be okay too. Driftwood + java moss works great, so you can't go wrong there. Especially in a shrimp tank. Java moss is all you need if you plan on just keeping shrimp.

Endlers CAN be aggressive towards shrimp. I have had large females harass my RCS before. I stopped keeping cherries with my endlers. They always end up harrassing them to death. I notice that large females will harass RCS more so than males. So you may have success if you keep 1-2 males only in there. Anymore and you're asking for trouble due to the lack of room.

[msjinkzd]

I really think you would enjoy your shrimp much more without fish in that size tank. Its likely the shrimp would hide alot if there is any risk of predation. Cherry shrimp are really quite visible and active when kept in a species specific tank. I would give the shrimp alone a try and if you are unhappy, consider adding a male endler then. Rough rule of thumb for cherry shrimp is 10 per gallon. Please keep in mind they can reproduce quite readily so I would not start with more than 10 for that tank. Flourite is fine, which color is it? I find that cherry shrimp look best in a tank with a dark substrate. Driftwood and moss is perfect for shrimp though you could add more plants if you like. Good luck!

[StereoKills]

:iagree: Sounds all good, but I too would go without fish in the tank. I never see my shrimp in the tanks where they have even 1 fish companion. They are on the bottom of the food chain and they know it too!

[emptywallet]

I really think you would enjoy your shrimp much more without fish in that size tank. Its likely the shrimp would hide alot if there is any risk of predation. Cherry shrimp are really quite visible and active when kept in a species specific tank. I would give the shrimp alone a try and if you are unhappy, consider adding a male endler then. Rough rule of thumb for cherry shrimp is 10 per gallon. Please keep in mind they can reproduce quite readily so I would not start with more than 10 for that tank. Flourite is fine, which color is it? I find that cherry shrimp look best in a tank with a dark substrate. Driftwood and moss is perfect for shrimp though you could add more plants if you like. Good luck!
lol it seems the opposite with my ameca splenden in the cherry tank

[jenjen2008]

Thanks for all of the help! I will definately go with a RCS species only tank. What would be the point in getting a setup for shrimp if they hide from the fish! I have light colored fine gravel and have not bought any else yet. I will probably go with a dark colored flourite. Well I am off to buy another tank! Woohoo!

[jenjen2008]

Well, I went out and bought the eclipse 5g hex. I used a piece of driftwood I already had and attached some java moss to it. I also added anacharis and java fern. It still a little cloudy but I think it is a good start.

[malken]

lookin good so far

[thebullit]

looks a nice start.