Setting up 5 gallon shrimp tank

[zeldar]

I am setting up my first planted tank. It is a 5 gallon hex that has a bio wheel filter. So far all I have done is add a two inch layer of eco complete for the substrate. The filter was running on a mature tank for over a week so it should be cycled. I need to check the parameters though.

I have ordered some plants and shrimp online that will ship out Monday. I went ahead and dove right in and got some HC. I know this isn't really a beginner plant but I hope I am up to the challenge. I am getting two pots of it so I shouldn't have to plant it strand by strand since my tank's footprint is pretty small. I only have a 10watt compact flourescent bulb, but am planning on getting a 20watt before the plants arrive. Does anybody have any other suggestions on how to help this plant thrive? Should I add CO2 tablets regulary as well as Excell or Flourish? Any suggestions are welcome.

The shrimp I ordered are 5 RCS, 5 Crystal Black Shrimp, and 3 Amano Shrimp. I have heard some mixed opinions on keeping these shrimp but it sounds like CBS are pretty sensitive to water conditions. What is a good pH and water temperature for them? Any other parameters I need to be cautious with? I plan on doing weekly 25% water changes with a small gravel vacuum. Is this too much or too little? I may consider keeping the shrimp in my betta tank (with the betta removed) when they first arrive if the parameters are not up to par, but then again I don't really know the betta tanks parameters either but its been running a couple of months.

I haven't quite decided the other plants that are going into the tank but am leaning towards a nice pellia. I also have some java fern in another of my tanks so I may transfer some small ones to the shrimp tank. Other than that I am open to suggestions. I do plan on putting a piece of driftwood thats covered in marimo ball in the tank.

Thanks for your help.

[Bubba_Shrimp]

Originally Posted by zeldar

I am setting up my first planted tank. It is a 5 gallon hex that has a bio wheel filter. So far all I have done is add a two inch layer of eco complete for the substrate. The filter was running on a mature tank for over a week so it should be cycled. I need to check the parameters though.

I have ordered some plants and shrimp online that will ship out Monday. I went ahead and dove right in and got some HC. I know this isn't really a beginner plant but I hope I am up to the challenge. I am getting two pots of it so I shouldn't have to plant it strand by strand since my tank's footprint is pretty small. I only have a 10watt compact flourescent bulb, but am planning on getting a 20watt before the plants arrive. Does anybody have any other suggestions on how to help this plant thrive? Should I add CO2 tablets regulary as well as Excell or Flourish? Any suggestions are welcome.

The shrimp I ordered are 5 RCS, 5 Crystal Black Shrimp, and 3 Amano Shrimp. I have heard some mixed opinions on keeping these shrimp but it sounds like CBS are pretty sensitive to water conditions. What is a good pH and water temperature for them? Any other parameters I need to be cautious with? I plan on doing weekly 25% water changes with a small gravel vacuum. Is this too much or too little? I may consider keeping the shrimp in my betta tank (with the betta removed) when they first arrive if the parameters are not up to par, but then again I don't really know the betta tanks parameters either but its been running a couple of months.

I haven't quite decided the other plants that are going into the tank but am leaning towards a nice pellia. I also have some java fern in another of my tanks so I may transfer some small ones to the shrimp tank. Other than that I am open to suggestions. I do plan on putting a piece of driftwood thats covered in marimo ball in the tank.

Thanks for your help.

Here you go:
http://www.fishyou.com/shrimp-crs.php

http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/...d-Breeding/22/

http://www.planetinverts.com/crystal...g%20guide.html

[zeldar]

thanks, i have already looked through planet inverts site and have to say its the best shrimp site i've seen so far.

Man those newly introduced Sulawesi shrimp are amazing. Maybe some day.