I had tried 3 different times to purchase a Cleaner shrimp for my 30 gal tank with Eclipse 2 hood. 2 different LFS and every time the shrimp barely makes it out of the bag. He swims out after being aclimated and after a few minutes he is on top on the live rock and walking and then soon after...they fall over on their sides and become motionless. I have a coral banded shrimp in the tank and he is fine. No creatures go near the cleaner at anytime while he is alive. I had my water checked...no problems...and I heard that cleaner shrimp are hardy. Can anyone advise any tips? Thanks in advance! -Bobby
Cleaner Shrimp
- Thread starter Pharmtekbobby
- Start date
Sounds like a acclimatization problem. You should float the bag in the water, and then slowly drip water into the bag for at least 1 hour, if it gets too full, empty out some of the water and keep dripping water into it. A faster methode is putting 1/3 a cup of water from the aquaium into the bag every 15 minutes, after 1 hour it should be fine to go in.
Yeah, something that fast must be an acclimation problem. If the CBS is fine, it's probably not a toxin. I have used drip and float methods for cleaners, and they worked fine, although I'd turn the lights off if you float. Just be sure to take at least an hour.
It might be worth comparing your parameters to those of the LFS. If the specific gravity and pH are way different, then you want to be sure to acclimate carefully.
It might be worth comparing your parameters to those of the LFS. If the specific gravity and pH are way different, then you want to be sure to acclimate carefully.
Scrimp
I have been acclimating him the same as the other creatures...perhaps I should float him longer and add (pour) the water into the bag with the scrimp in it. Hopefully this will work. Just one more question...how should I "drip" the water into the bag? If ya can give me a precise method...I'd be forever in your debt! I have never had a prob with other inverts, such as anenomes, coral banded scrimp, crabs, etc. You guys are great! Thanks!!! -Bobby
I have been acclimating him the same as the other creatures...perhaps I should float him longer and add (pour) the water into the bag with the scrimp in it. Hopefully this will work. Just one more question...how should I "drip" the water into the bag? If ya can give me a precise method...I'd be forever in your debt! I have never had a prob with other inverts, such as anenomes, coral banded scrimp, crabs, etc. You guys are great! Thanks!!! -Bobby
To run a drip line, use air hose with something to crimp the line enough to slow the water to a drip, like a small clothespin, knot in the line, or a valve. I use a bucket to hold the bag, then drip water in until the bag is full. Then move the entire bag and animal into the bucket. Once you have enough water to remove half without uncovering the animal, do so, and drip until full. Remove half again, drip until 3/4 full. Then, move the animal only into your tank--only exception to this is for sponges, and animals that can not be exposed to air. For these, I replace half the water twice more, to reduce the amount of store water that may be introduced.
Floating the animal only changes the temp in the bag. It does nothing to acclimate the animal to your water conditions (ie, salinity, pH, alkalinity). And, since the animal is still confined in the same small amount of water, wastes can build up quickly. Also, floating with lights on can cause a sudden increase in temp--not the best way to go.
Floating the animal only changes the temp in the bag. It does nothing to acclimate the animal to your water conditions (ie, salinity, pH, alkalinity). And, since the animal is still confined in the same small amount of water, wastes can build up quickly. Also, floating with lights on can cause a sudden increase in temp--not the best way to go.
Sorry about being incomplete. When I said "float," that includes replacing about 25% of the water every 15 minutes or so. Whatever method you use, don't put the shipping water into the tank.
Thanks for the amazing advice! I don't want to seem like an imbacile but what bag should i use to drip with? I live in a pharmacy and I was thinking of either a catheter with a leg bag or an IV drip. I am way off target? Please let me know, and I don't wanna be a bother 
:sick: Thanks a million!
:sick: Thanks a million!