Soothing Shrimp's Mad Shrimp Gene Factory

[Soothing Shrimp]

So, as with many creative artists, I can hardly stick to one thing before my mind wanders to other projects as well.

I wanted to share a little something about one of my projects though.

A long time ago in a land not so far away, I bought some yellow shrimp. Make that many yellow shrimp from many different people. Always had bad luck with them.

Some people claim to have had good luck of which I can only say it must depends on the strain(s) of yellows you have. I went through hundreds of $$$ with my yellows dying. Just too sensitive. Would die at a drop of a hat. Didn't matter who they were from. Same results.

Ultimately, out of hundreds, I had 3 survive. Out of these three, they didn't breed for months and months and months and...well, you get the picture. They just... existed.

As a project for myself, I put a couple red cherries in with them hoping I would get a cross and maybe I could selectively breed some for myself.

This is where it gets interesting. Either the new shrimp triggered a breeding instinct or they mated with the three yellows. I soon saw both baby cherries and baby yellows.

Now my gut feeling tells me that at least one cherry mated with the yellows to berry them, BUT I have no proof of that... what I DO know is that after I culled the cherry babies, I FINALLY have a population explosion of very hardy and healthy yellow shrimp for my tank. I have some very vibrant ones and some with just a tinge of yellow- so these need more culling. Heck I'd even sell the culls for cheap, but these shrimp seem to be the most hardy I've ever had as opposed to the all sensitive ones I had in the past!

On other news, I have some 2.5g tanks set up and waiting for me to do a mulm bomb and add the EC x NM shrimp. Time is a tickin'...

[Soothing Shrimp]

Time for an update.

I was under the assumption that my Alita 60 was loud, but that was dispelled yesterday when I built a pvc system for my shrimp rack and screwed in air valves. After attaching the Alita, it was only about as loud as my other air pumps before I took them offline. So, I'm very pleased.

I had a ball cock valve I was using as a bleeder, however when open the noise increases, so I added some lever valves and ran air tubing for about 2 feet from each and really the loudest thing right now is the air hissing- which I can live with! Who am I kidding? I know I'll be adding more tanks anyway sooner or later! LOL

In short, into the 2nd day of using it, it seems to be a sound investment and I'm very pleased.

I've had the 2.5g tanks set up and running for a while now, but have been slacking using them because I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for lots of lights. I have 6 of these tanks side by side across one shelf and have been thinking about rigging up a shop light...

[wicca27]

walmart shop lights work great. or if nothing else get a light for like a 29 and set it across them. one long light is way better than alot of little lights to mess with belive me i know. and when moved and getting tanks going again that is the way i will go.

[randyl]

An Alita 60 for 2.5G? How many tanks will it power? I read back a few posts and didn't find that info.

I have a linear piston pump 1/3 of the capacity of Alita 60 and it's pumping 15 airstones/sponge filters in 12" deep tanks and still have tons of reserve. And yes, I found that when there's back pressure or no pressure at all, these linear piston pumps get really loud, but once you add the proper load, you will barely hear it over all the bubbling noise.

[Soothing Shrimp]

Nice to know you've had the same experience randyl. My theory is that the linear is "cushioned" with the back force of the air when under proper load, thus making it quieter.

I'm sitting here giggling a little because the Alita is not just for 2.5g tanks. It's true I have 6 of them and will prob get more, but it's mainly for 33 tenners, a 25g, 30g and some misc I'll be getting.

Wicca, with the tenners I like the econ hoods atm- although it seems like I'm always updating and changing my mind with things in the shrimp room. Regardless of canopy glass covers or hoods, I like that it stops evaporation.

With the 2.5g, the covers cost the same as tenner hoods- and I'm with you- there ain't no way I be doin' that. LOL

[nightshadebel]

Could we see a full picture if your shrimp? Please??

[Soothing Shrimp]

Well, it's nothing special. All I have is a shelving unit.

Here's a recent pic of my BVs I've been selectively breeding for awhile now for darker and darker blue. Getting to where I'm really liking them, and fast becoming some of my favorites.

[wicca27]

those are awsome almost blue jelly blue

[Soothing Shrimp]

Thanks wicca. I'm sure I can get even darker, just need more money, time and space. LOL

Selective breeding is a passion of mine. But man, it isn't easy sometimes!

[MABJ]

Bryce, you're a genius! These are very pretty. I've begun a lesser project, but a breeding one nonetheless.

When will you stop breeding these guys? When is dark, dark enough?

And why do you need more money to continue this project?

[speedie408]

Great job Bryce. Keep up the good work my friend.

[Msheresy]

Originally Posted by Soothing Shrimp

Well, it's nothing special. All I have is a shelving unit.

Here's a recent pic of my BVs I've been selectively breeding for awhile now for darker and darker blue. Getting to where I'm really liking them, and fast becoming some of my favorites.

Attachment 110970

Those are beautiful!

[Merth]

Incredible color!!!

[Soothing Shrimp]

Originally Posted by MABJ

Bryce, you're a genius! These are very pretty. I've begun a lesser project, but a breeding one nonetheless.

When will you stop breeding these guys? When is dark, dark enough?

And why do you need more money to continue this project?

Thanks for the Kudos folks. It's really something I enjoy doing.

Genius? Naaah. Just a whole lotta passion and hard work.

What's your project, MABJ? I'd love to hear it!

Why more money? For more tanks for better selection and to place those that are not quite dark enough separate from the others, and update my equipment. You'd be surprised how much costs rapidly add up when selectively breeding.

[Soothing Shrimp]

And when is dark enough? That's a good question and one I've tried to come up with an answer to. LOL I honestly don't know yet. I've begun to wonder if I should call these "Dark Blue Velvets" or something. (?)