How many shrimp are good for a 55gallon?

There are many many kinds of algae-eating shrimp... Could you give us a description? Or better yet, a picture?
 
Sorry, perhaps you didnt realize "algae-eating shrimp" is a term for MANY types of shrimp. Could be amano shrimp (Caridina Japonica), ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes sp.) or a red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina sp.)...or something else. Perhaps you can google those & let us know; there is a big difference in size, temperament & care.
 
OK, you have amanos?

They are pretty durable and will probably be fine. I suspect they may be hiding. I had a bunch of amanos for a few years. they would often disappear for a few days or more. They are good for hair algae, but no real help on on-glass algae...your best bet there is a razor blade. I lost mine when I treated my tank with meds I THOUGHT were OK for inverts, but were not.

Most shrimp will pick at leftover food before algae....so take it easy on the fish food.
 
What shrimp can I get that would be good for on-glass algae (or are there any)?

And can I get red-cherry?
 
I'm still kind of lost on why I could/should stop using CO2. Also on if I should/could add different types of shrimp in addition to the amano's.

Here's a pic of my tank to get an idea of current cover:
5459080470_b6e9a50fbc.jpg
 
just find out where they like tohang out themost... takes a while though
 
As for the lights on for 10 hours a day, cut it back to 6-8 hours and you should see a difference in algae growth. scrape what is already on the glass with a razor blade and as your plants mature they will also help keep the algae under control by using the nutrients the algae needs.
 
Nice looking tank.

Are you using fluorish excel? or CO2? big difference.
FYI, flourish excel is glutaraldehyde, read up on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutaraldehyde

Use with care...I do actually HAVE some, but only keep it around for infrequently dipping plants. I think I've had this bottle 2-3 years.

Reduced lighting (intensity or time or both) is probably the easiest/cheapest way to reduce algae.

Shrimp-wise, Red Cherry shrimp are a lot smaller than the amanos and would likely become angel food. I'd stick with amanos for now.

Best thing I've found for on-glass algae is a razor blade scraper....second is a rough scotchbrite pad.
 
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