Gravel vacuuming with shrimp

[jutting1]

I am fairly new to aquarium shrimp and would like to know how to go about vacuuming the gravel with shrimp that have no fear of the big tube from the sky. I started with 25 RCS that have bred profusely. I can no longer vacuum that gravel without sucking up quite a few. I haven't touched the gravel in a while because of this but probably need to start again. Any advice?

 

[XanAvaloni]

Well, don't go actively aiming for them, but other than that just vac to your heart's content. If you can find a clear spot to start in, then as you move the nozzle closer to them they should FLICK off at high speed in reverse when it comes near. For those who don't, don't worry. Just empty the bucket slowly through a net and catch any thrill-ride enthusiasts and return to tank. You may lose a few but it sounds like your colony is a frenzy of friendly fornication, so the numbers will be replaced in no time.

i know people with heavily planted tanks who use this a a method of collecting shrimp for shipment when they have a sale of the surplus population, since chasing them with a net tears up plantings something fierce. Of course when you are trying to catch them they work a lot harder at staying hidden. Remarkably savvy creatures considering they have brains about the size of a mote of dust.

 

[blue2fyre]

If it's a small tank try a turkey baster. That's what I've done with my 5 gallon and it works pretty well. Otherwise try a airline hose instead of a normal gravel vac.

 

[Big Mike]

I put my vac tube into the gravel and slide it around keeping the opening under the gravel.

 

[excuzzzeme]

I also slide mine just barely touching the top of the substrate (I have PFS). Moving the siphon slowly and taking my time, I still get a couple here and there, but not enough to boo-hoo over or hurt the population. It's usually the juveniles if any.

 

[jetajockey]

i put a sponge on the end of my vacuum tube.

 

[jutting1]

Thanks for the advice. I'll do what I can and take my chances. Like you said, they are breeding so quickly that a few little ones won't make much of a difference. The larger ones do seem to move out of the way.

 

[fishorama]

I always use a small siphon into a bucket then do an eye-straining search for shrimplets. After a while of bailing with a margerine cup & recuing a few I give up & quickly empty the bucket & rinse. I just can't seem to pick up the small shrimp without fatally damaging them. If I maim 1 I feed it to my fish & only feel a little bad. They were originally going to be a feeder colony but they're just so interesting!

 

[Glabe]

You may lose a few but it sounds like your colony is a frenzy of friendly fornication, so the numbers will be replaced in no time.

very nicely worded! :lol:

 

[jackiomy]

I always use a small siphon into a bucket then do an eye-straining search for shrimplets. After a while of bailing with a margerine cup & recuing a few I give up & quickly empty the bucket & rinse. I just can't seem to pick up the small shrimp without fatally damaging them. If I maim 1 I feed it to my fish & only feel a little bad. They were originally going to be a feeder colony but they're just so interesting!

I do the same thing but i use a turkey baster. I very seldom hurt any of them. I have tried the sponge but they somehow get past it. I am getting a brine shrimp net today and filter the water back through and see if that works.