10 gal shrimp tank

ZenosX · 07-06-2012, 03:52 AM

I have a ten gallon tank that has about 5 RCS in it. I plan to add more pretty soon, but I kind of want to do something with it first. The tank is super low tech. It's got the stock pets-mart hood with two ten watt fluorescent bulbs in it. A sponge filter rated at ten gallons, and a heater. The substrate is black Tahitian moon sand. Right now it just has one java fern, and a crap load of java moss. The moss takes up like 1/3 of the tank volume. It looks awful. I was hoping some of you guys could give me some inspiration as to what to do with this tank. I'll upload a pic tomorrow probably. If anyone wants to see it. I would prefer to keep this tank pretty low maintenance and low budget.

pejerrey · 07-06-2012, 04:28 AM

Trim and rocks.

stevenjohn21 · 07-06-2012, 04:55 AM

The shrimp will love the moss so keep it but tidy it up a little. Try making a moss background so its still there for the shrimp but wont take up any space. Add a small piece of driftwood and a few rocks and viola ! you have yourself a good looking shrimp tank :-)

ZenosX · 07-06-2012, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I'm not really sure how to trim the moss when it's just big free floating clumps, but a moss background sounds cool. How would I go about doing that? Also wouldn't the shrimp use the background to climb out? Lastly where do I get rocks? I guess maybe my LFS has them.

steven p · 07-06-2012, 11:34 AM

you can grow moss on window screen in a shallow tub if youre really interested...

measure and cut a piece of screen. shred up your moss onto the screen, add just a pinch of old tank water, saran wrap the top and place it in a sunny spot.. dont let it cook though, mosses tend to like it a bit cooler that boiling point...

check it, refresh the air every so often...

plenty of guides are available via a google search

pejerrey · 07-07-2012, 07:16 AM

Watch it with the rocks. They may leach stuff.
I only use yamaya stones. I think black lava is ok but not sure.
A bunch of small rocks, like a bit bigger than matchbox sized are perfect for them to hide and for you to weight down that moss.
You can grab all that moss and tie it to driftwood or rocks also.

Keep an eye on plant RAOKs.

07-06-2012, 03:52 AM	#1
ZenosX Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 40	10 gal shrimp tank I have a ten gallon tank that has about 5 RCS in it. I plan to add more pretty soon, but I kind of want to do something with it first. The tank is super low tech. It's got the stock pets-mart hood with two ten watt fluorescent bulbs in it. A sponge filter rated at ten gallons, and a heater. The substrate is black Tahitian moon sand. Right now it just has one java fern, and a crap load of java moss. The moss takes up like 1/3 of the tank volume. It looks awful. I was hoping some of you guys could give me some inspiration as to what to do with this tank. I'll upload a pic tomorrow probably. If anyone wants to see it. I would prefer to keep this tank pretty low maintenance and low budget.

07-06-2012, 04:28 AM	#2
pejerrey Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 1,912	Trim and rocks. __________________ *A heavily planted shrimp tank is possible!*

07-07-2012, 07:16 AM	#6
pejerrey Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 1,912	Watch it with the rocks. They may leach stuff. I only use yamaya stones. I think black lava is ok but not sure. A bunch of small rocks, like a bit bigger than matchbox sized are perfect for them to hide and for you to weight down that moss. You can grab all that moss and tie it to driftwood or rocks also. Keep an eye on plant RAOKs. __________________ *A heavily planted shrimp tank is possible!*

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-06-2012, 04:55 AM	#3
stevenjohn21 Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,018	The shrimp will love the moss so keep it but tidy it up a little. Try making a moss background so its still there for the shrimp but wont take up any space. Add a small piece of driftwood and a few rocks and viola ! you have yourself a good looking shrimp tank :-)

07-06-2012, 10:25 AM	#4
ZenosX Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 40	Thanks for the quick reply guys. I'm not really sure how to trim the moss when it's just big free floating clumps, but a moss background sounds cool. How would I go about doing that? Also wouldn't the shrimp use the background to climb out? Lastly where do I get rocks? I guess maybe my LFS has them.

07-06-2012, 11:34 AM	#5
steven p Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: columbus, ne Posts: 1,077	you can grow moss on window screen in a shallow tub if youre really interested... measure and cut a piece of screen. shred up your moss onto the screen, add just a pinch of old tank water, saran wrap the top and place it in a sunny spot.. dont let it cook though, mosses tend to like it a bit cooler that boiling point... check it, refresh the air every so often... plenty of guides are available via a google search