Where oh where are the RCS???

[susantroy1]

Hey all,
I have a question/dilemma I'm trying to figure out..... I bought 20 RCS from H3D for my 135 that I have set up. While I was waiting for it to cycle, I put the RCS in my 10g plant holding tank, well as time has gone on I collected multiple species of moss, a about 3 gallons worth of different grasses/micro swords ect... also some DW for the mosses. After about a couple of months the whole tank is nothing more than a thriving Eco system. I have no idea on how to try and recover the RCS from this tank as I can't find them... Its like looking into a swamp and trying to find a juvie shrimp:confused: If i stare into the tank long enough I find all kinds of micro organisms moving around but no sign of the RCS... Should I write em off and just hope they will flourish in there or should I try and collect them some how? I could fill the 10g up and try and recover them but don't want to shock them in any way. Any thoughts???

Troy

[Mgamer20o0]

feed them and catch them when they are feeding if they are still there. when you say collected did you mean you went out and collected or you bought them at a lfs or something?

[thebullit]

they are great hiders especialy in a well planted tant.

[black_sun]

I only ever seen mine during feeding time, otherwise I can stare into the tank for hours and never see them. X_x

...and you'd think finding a red critter in a tank of green plants wouldn't be so hard.

[msjinkzd]

is this holding tank filtered? You say you see lots of other critters in it, have you been doing wc's on the holding tank? If its been a couple ofmonths, your shrimp would no longer be juveniles they should be adults and pretty much full size and bright red.

[susantroy1]

feed them and catch them when they are feeding if they are still there. when you say collected did you mean you went out and collected or you bought them at a lfs or something?

I got 20 from HD3 from this site:)

[susantroy1]

is this holding tank filtered? You say you see lots of other critters in it, have you been doing wc's on the holding tank? If its been a couple of months, your shrimp would no longer be juveniles they should be adults and pretty much full size and bright red.

ms,
No the tank is not filtered mechanically (just by the mass of plants). the other critters are like water fleas and little things that dart around every once in a while, oh yea.., and little snails as well. I haven't been doing any H20 changes in it either.... I've had the 10g tank (bear bottom)up for a couple of months just holding my plants as I scape my 135....seems like I'm putting more plants in this than the 135. I originally put these guys in the 10g just to make sure that I had them ready after the 135 is cycled (fish less) I didn't want to add just these guys without my 75 cards and amonos that should be coming in this week because the N-bacteria would begin to die off with such a light bio load. Trying to collect all the livestock and introduce them all at once so I don't loose any Bacteria levels which would result in a mini cycle thereby defeating the purpose of the fish less cycle. I've got ten amonos coming this week as well but all this must be timed with the 75 cardinals release.... I did see one RCS hanging upside down on a piece of DW that was floating in there:headbang2: Thanks everyone that has posted.... I'm new to inverts but find them fascinating:help: I want them not only to thrive but also to be healthy. Another question I have is... I have a BB 55G I'm housing my 4 Discus in right now (they will be the last to go into the 135) Should I put the Amonos in there instead of the 10G or should I do a WC on the 10 and leave the plant mass in it as well and keep them in there until I'm ready to put them all in the 135? Thanks again....

Troy