Starting a shrimp tank!

[The_Wolfman]

Hey guys I have some questions regarding a new tank i want to put together...i've had really good luck with my current tanks especially my Dwarf Puffer tank (video of my tanks)

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Anyways, I have Ghost Shrimp and what I think are Chameleon Shrimp(?) and i have developed a shrimp craze lol im looking to put together a tank with Blue Tiger Shrimp, Green Shrimp and maybe Amano Shrimp

But I need your guys help...

-How big of a aquarium should I get? I would like something that I could put on my desk, so im thinking relatively small.

-How many shrimp could I get with a small tank? Would those species be compatible?

-I want to use sand as my substrate, maybe even black to bring out the colors? Suggestions on that? I've never used sand before

[Plants]

Sweet. A 5-10 gallon shrimp tank would be awesome. I think the shrimp are all compatible. I'm just a newbie though so don't completely believe what I say haha

[boobiebutt]

I don't think blue tigers can mix with green shrimp. According to shrimp compatibility charts.

http://www.crustaforum.com/images/crossbreeding_big.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/644fmp.gif


But something around 5-10 seems like a good start. Most people go by 10 dwarf shrimp per gallon. I use black flourite sand in my tank but if you do use this, wash the sand A LOT before you place it in your tank.

[The_Wolfman]

Yeah I was thinking about a 10 gallon would be good...now im curious, that chart says crossbreeding...im not to worried about that, but is that saying if you have Green Shrimp and Blue Tigers they would kill each other or could they co-exist?

[boobiebutt]

If they cross breed, they will not be green or blue tigers anymore. I think they will be brown but I'm not sure. Someone can correct me on this.

All shrimps except ghost shrimp are friendly and housed together. Ghost shrimps are friendly but I think because they are larger, they might look at the smaller shrimps as food. Once again, I'm not totally sure but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[msjinkzd]

Dwarf shrimp will not hurt each other, ghost shrimp have been known to predate on smaller more peaceful dwarf species especially inmore confined spaces. The issue with keeping blue tigers and dark greens goes beyond their temperament and hybridization. They have very different water parameter needs. The blue tigers like very soft water with low pH. Dark green caridina are one of the few who like harder water. Amanos are pretty flexible as to what they will tolerate, especially since breeding is not an issue.