Getting Taiwan Bees

[mordalphus]

Originally Posted by PuddlesAqua

I'm not trying to cut corners, I have 2 established filters working on a large tank which will be transferred to this new tank, and thought it would save time not having to wait for the large amounts of ammonia to leech out.

But then the tank would be devoid of bio film which is a shrimps main food source. Shrimp do well in an aquarium that is established, not a brand new clean setup. What I'm saying is, the 4-6 weeks of cycling Amazonia is a good thing, not something that should be skipped. Plus it's the best soil for these shrimp. Ask the person who is selling the TBs to you, they probably are using Amazonia as well.

[PuddlesAqua]

Ok, I get that. I've done a little more research and think new Amazonia is the best way to go. With Amazonia then would mineral clay under the substrate be a good idea?

[Betta Maniac]

Originally Posted by PuddlesAqua

With Amazonia then would mineral clay under the substrate be a good idea?

Yes. Mineral clay and one of the bateria products like Bacter Crystal, BioPlus, or BT-9.

[PuddlesAqua]

So, with the clay, 2 questions. What kind clay? Is calcium montmorrilonite clay the right type, or would I use something more like Old Sea Mud?. And how do you layer it with the amazonia?

[mordalphus]

A light sprinkle of osm or montmorillonite (basically the same), sprinkle of bacteria. Just on the glass.

And you should still be able to kinda see the glass through the layer of powder, that's how light of a coating you need.

[Bananariot]

Originally Posted by mordalphus

A light sprinkle of osm or montmorillonite (basically the same), sprinkle of bacteria. Just on the glass.

And you should still be able to kinda see the glass through the layer of powder, that's how light of a coating you need.

You could purchase some of Liam's secret sauce......it's what I use

[PuddlesAqua]

Yeah, I think I'll order some from Liam when the time comes, it sounds like great stuff. What types of supplements does everyone like? I think the general list is:


Stout
Vigor
Vital
White
Barley
Color
Grow
Shield

Are all of these necessary? What are the best ones if you're only going to get a few?

[Max Kenji]

You don't need a lot of supplement for TB.
I highly recommend Aquasoil Amazonia and undergravel filter. It's the best and most effective soil for breeding TB in my opinion.
There are several substrate additives you can choose from:

ADA set: Bacter 100, Tourmaline BC, Clear Super
Mosura: BT-9, Old Sea Mud Powder
Benibachi: Bee Max, Bee3, Mironekuton Powder
Borneo Wild: Humic, Minerax

I'd recommend just feed them fresh blanched spinach, frozen blood worm and straw pellet.
Here is a good example from friend of mine 楊正隆 - a pro breeder in Taiwan.

[PuddlesAqua]

Thanks for the info. You said I don't need a lot of supplements, does that mean there are still some that are beneficial?

Also, I was planning on running moving bed filter and an oversized HOB filter. I've read a ugf isn't completely necessary. Opinions?

[Max Kenji]

It depends on what is your breeding goal. Thick shell, better coloration or quantity?
You will do just fine with a undergravel filter and 1-2 sponge filters. That's a low cost setup for breeding TB. It just gonna take about 1 month to cycle the tank. Once the green algae develop on the glass, they should start breeding like crazy.
The key thing is just to keep the water parameter stable, don't over feed. I don't even do weekly waterchange, just top off with remineralized RO water.
UGF will help increase the soil buffering capacity.

I hope this is helpful for u .

[plamski]

Top off should be done with pure RO I think. Can you explain how to feed in order to get such different results: Thick shell, better coloration or quantity?

[sayurasem]

Max Kenji, may I know why are you topping off with remineralized water?