Setting up NEW Shrimp Tank, Need Advise

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bettaobsession

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Jun 22, 2009
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SO, I have a little 2 1/2 invert tank i'm setting up which will probably consist of:
Red Cherry Shrimp
Briggs
Plants
Small Heater
Sponge Filter
Maybe an Endler or a Betta or a Guppy for when my shrimp population expldes and nobody will take them. :(

So what I have already is:
Tank with
heater at correct temp,
a small hidey hole
and a large plant ( I forgot the name:duh:)
This tank will be cycling with shrimp, is this ok? I've heard that RCS are sensitive. How do I counteract the cycling?

Any and ALL constructive critisism is VERY welcome!

Thanks!!!
 
And would Crystal Red shrimp be okay with RCS?
Sorry for so many questions, I just want to do this RIGHT :D
 
Red Cherry Shrimp need a cycled tank. So I wouldn't add them until after the tank is cycled.
 
Yup, cycle the tank first. Start off with RCS - they're much easier to keep than CRS. Honestly, I would just keep one species in a tank that small.
 
What should I cycle the tank with?
 
I have a disagreeable golddust molly, Maude, that harasses the other fish to death so she has to be kept with the fry (which she ignores for whatever reason). I use her to cycle my new aquariums because she's indestructable and it wouldn't bother me if she didn't make it. :D

When I cycle a new aquarium I typically add a bunch of fast-growing plants from one of my other tanks, Maude and some molly or guppy fry, and I put media from another aquarium (bio rings, gravel, what have you) in the filter. I've had tanks cycle pretty much instantly with this setup and I haven't lost any shrimp or fish due to cycling, that I'm aware of.

Make sure any cycle fish are taken OUT just before adding shrimp, especially in such close quarters.
 
okay I get it, can I borrow your molly? just kidding!
wouldn't fry typically die if the tanks being cycled?
and could you tell me what types of plants you use?

THANKS!!!
 
Hehe, you're more than welcome to borrow her if you can drive to WA :)

I tend to use molly fry (Maude delivered 7 of which 3 survived soon after I got her from Petco) in my cycling, or guppy fry. They're fairly durable for the most part... and if they die it doesn't matter much since I have many other fry. I currently have a glut of platies, which thankfully are quite pretty.

The plants and the tank media are the real workers here. I use Elodea Densa (invasive weed in this state) and guppy grass, along with water wisteria and what I'm pretty sure is Ludwigia Repens. Really, any fast-growing stem plant will get the job done, I think. It also helps to have lots of light to boost the plant growth (more growth == more ammonia and nitrite uptake) - I use 2 18watt CFL 6500k bulbs per 10gallon tank with 8 - 10 hour cycles. While cycling, algae is your friend, so don't worry much about that. Shrimp love algae anyways :)
 
If it doesn't bother your conscience, a lot of people use feeder guppies or feeder goldfish to cycle their tanks. The only problem is re-homing or finding a place for the fish after the cycle is complete. Do you currently have any fish you're keeping? The convenient thing about cycling with feeders is that the fish are cheap and therefore if casualties do occur, the loss would be less financially.

If regards to stocking, I would start with Red Cherry Shrimp (RCS). As noted by another previous responder, Crystal Red Shrimp(CRS) are much more costly and are more sensitive than the Red Cherry Shrimp (RCS). After you have the RCS shrimp established, I think you definitely could add the CRS shrimp. When together, the CRS and RCS shrimp will not interbreed. I would first cycle your small tank with a few feeder guppies or the fish of your preference and then add the shrimp. I would highly recommend that you not get your shrimp untill the tank is fully cycled. It is recommended that you have a fairly established tank prior to adding shrimp because the shrimp feed on algae and other living micro-organisms in the tank.

Good luck and please keep us posted on your new future shrimp set-up. I think it will be spectacular. :)

P.S. I think some java moss would be beneficial as well. Or Willow moss. Or Taiwan moss. Any sort of moss. ;)
 
Be careful with feeders - they can easily introduce disease into your tank. Using a fish you already have is best or a healthy fish from a reliable source.
 
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