Low tech shrimp bowl

Ava

Ava

Snail Convert!!!!!
Jan 8, 2008
134
0
16
Scotland
Hi guys

looking to set up a low tech shrimp bowl. Planted, mix of moss hair grass and a couple others. Wondering if anyone else has had success low tech? Obvs it would need to cycle before adding a couple RCS however how would one get it to cycle???
 
I wouldn't worry about cycling if it's densely planted. Just make sure you keep up with water changes. With RCS you will also need a small heater to keep the temps around 75-80.
 
http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/00388Shrimp.pdf

I basically have done this (the bowls, not the dry start planting mentioned later) but you don't necessarily need to use potting soil.

I didn't explicitly cycle either...just packed it full of plants. I did decide to add a "bubbler" just to get some circulation. Room temp was fine for me though.
 
I, too, have done an unheated, densely planted shrimp tank. mine was 10g, so you'll want to do regular water changes. Will you have any filtration? Sponge filter?
 
Thanks guys, I've seen a lot of people have had success room temp, so my plan was to place the bowl on the hood of my big tank (it had an over tank filtration system that I've since changed to an external filter so it's dead space) the idea is that the heat from the big tank will keep the bowl at a slightly higher than room temp. My plan is to monitor it to make sure I'm right.

The only tech I really want to have is a small heater if it's needed (I'm aware I live in Scotland it's colder than the US lol) I may add an airline to help circulation but plan on having it densely planted so water changes and plants act as my filter!

So no cycling so I can more or less just add the shrimp once the plants stabilize?
 
From what I remember, I kinda did it all at once...depends on how much space you have, what plants you're using, how many shrimp you add, etc. but they are so low in "bioload" that I was able to get away without having to really wait. I certainly wouldn't hurt to wait though.

Since it will be on top of your tank, are you going to be adding light specific for the bowl...like a clip lamp, perhaps?
 
Shrimp can be delicate with regard to water parameters.

while the bioload of the shrimp should not add too much ammonia to the water, rotting plants can.



I'd suggest setting up the tank with plants and light, and making sure that the plants take off rather than die off... once you're sure of that, add the shrimp at that time. and just pay special attention to water quality for a while, just in case.
 
Doug makes a good point. Plant success could determine shrimp success in a small setup like this. All I meant by the "no cycle" comment was that you shouldn't have to wait weeks if your plant it densely enough and have a working system from the get-go. He's right about making sure plants are in good shape before adding shrimp though. Good call, Doug!
 
Thanks guys! I've set up the bowl plants are in, I'm waiting on a heater as I was right and it is too cold here to do it at room temp! So while I'm waiting on that I'm keeping an eye on my plants and if all is well a cheeky part water change and all will be good for the shrimps!
 
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