Has anyone tried a simple saltwater shrimp tank?

[Soothing Shrimp]

Has anyone tried a SIMPLE saltwater shrimp tank?

I'm talking similar to a simple freshwater setup. Substrate, sponge filter, moss type plant in a tenner.

Not all the extras that run up the money...

[Nubster]

I'd think it would be pretty easy. You need lots of flow but lights don't matter too much if you're not keeping coral. I think that the coolest thing is a Watchman Goby and Pistol shrimp combo. In fact, I plan to do this soon with one of my now empty 20L tanks, except I'll eventually get the lighting to have corals as well.

[Soothing Shrimp]

I'm considering it much later this year. It sure would increase the colorful shrimp keeping.

[mordalphus]

Just get some live rock, some live sand and some macro algae.

That's all the LFS told me to do when I asked them the same question. Haha.

I just assumed it was more complicated than that, but maybe not? I always thought sw tanks needed to be cold, but maybe that's just for specific critters.

[Nubster]

No, it is that simple. You don't even need live live rock. You can get dried out LR and seed it like you would a FW tank. Just start a cycle with ammonia or whatever method you choose and let it cycle the same as a FW tank. No coral, use whatever lights tickle your fancy. Temps are about the same as a tropical fish tank, low to mid-70's. Flow is important though, you want at least 10x turn overrate. It's not uncommon to see an AC70 and a couple Koralia nanos in a 10g tank. In fact, that's what I had when I had my 10g SW tank.

[Soothing Shrimp]

From my reading I don't think you'd even have to have live rock or sand.

Everything would be the same for freshwater except for crushed coral substrate, sea salt mix and a hydrometer. Don't know how to use a hydrometer, but there are a lot of things I didn't know how to use at first and is now routine.

[Rob in Puyallup]

Liam,

Most critters we can get at our LFS are tropical, so need a heater.

I've been thinking of a nano marine tank with a pair of Sexy Shrimp. Maybe a Fluval Ebi with aragonite sand instead of the Fluval Shrimp Sand.

BTW: The setup for a marine aquarium would be identical to what I have set up for my Opae Ula. Only difference would be full salt, 1.024 instead of 1.012.

[Nubster]

Crushed coral is actually not preferred. Sand or bare bottom. LR is kinda important because it provides the biofiltration. Plus I don't think a SW tank would look right without it. I guess you could get by without, but IMO that would kinda defeat the purpose of having a SW tank. The LR is one of the best parts of the tank. If you order some really fresh LR from a vendor down south, you can get some really neat critters in the tank as hitchhikers.

[Soothing Shrimp]

Found a very simple set up link http://www.bestfish.com/ssss.html

[Rob in Puyallup]

Originally Posted by Soothing Shrimp

From my reading I don't think you'd even have to have live rock or sand.

Everything would be the same for freshwater except for crushed coral substrate, sea salt mix and a hydrometer. Don't know how to use a hydrometer, but there are a lot of things I didn't know how to use at first and is now routine.

A hydrometer floats. Kind of looks like a thermometer. Instead of looking at the top of the mercury to find the temp, you look at the line on where the air and water meet. That's the "specific gravity" of your water.

Or... you can use a refractometer. Several drops of your water and a bright light. Where white meets blue, that's your SG.

[Nubster]

Go here for one of the best (IMO) forums on SW tanks, especially nano tanks.

[Nubster]

Originally Posted by Rob in Puyallup

Or... you can use a refractometer. Several drops of your water and a bright light. Where white meets blue, that's your SG.

Without a doubt, get a refractometer. WAY more accurate and very easy to use. Cheap enough on ebay and they all work about the same. Make sure to get one that's temp. compensated.

[Soothing Shrimp]

I think I understand the hydrometer now. Thanks for the explaination.

Do you have a pic of what a refactor reading looks like? I'm kinda lost on that one. LOL

[Soothing Shrimp]

Just looked it up on Ebay. Seems very easy to use. (?)

[Rob in Puyallup]

They are easy to use. Just need a bright light to aim it at. (Helps if your eyes focus better than mine... that's why I rely on my cheap inaccurate hydrometer.)