[clownplanted]

So I have been working on setting up my 20L tank getting it ready for CRS that are on the way. They will be here in 2-3 days. This is my first shrimp tank so I have been getting a ton of great advice and been doing a ton of research to ensure the tank is perfect for the soon to be new inhabitants. Below are my paramaters.

PH 7.2
GH 5
KH 3
Nitrate 5
Phosphate .5
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Temp 72F
TDS 140

The tank is a 20L
Ferts are Half EI NilocG macro/micro
Light is Beamswork DHL 6500K 30" Photoperiod 6 hours, will change to 8 when co2
Substrate is Black Diamond Blasting Sand
co2 none yet just waiting on co2 splitter. Will be doing 15ppm of co2 in this tank
Plants range from Amazon swords, Moss balls, Java Moss, Pearlweed, Ludwigia repens, S Repens, red Crypto Wendtii, Hygro Fern, Ozelot sword, Hygrophila lancea, Bacopa monnierii
For filtration I am using a Fluval 206 canister filter that has Purigen for chemical media and Sera Siporax for bio media.

Here is a pic of the CRS that are on the way

 

[Nigel95]

Cool! CRS are so lovely. Do your parameters match the parameters of the seller? Most CRS are kept <7 Ph.

 

[clownplanted]

Cool! CRS are so lovely. Do your parameters match the parameters of the seller? Most CRS are kept <7 Ph.

Yup they match the parameters pretty much exactly. Getting from @natemcnutty which his breed like crazy in these parameters. Luckily all my other parameters except GH were exactly like his. So only need to add 2dGH to get the 5. Love how soft my tap water is and has only a tds of 50. Should not need RO at all.

 

[Nigel95]

Should be fine then! Looking forward to the shrimp colony

Bump: Should be fine then! Looking forward to the shrimp colony

 

[Dman911]

Looking forward to how this turns out. I am considering CRS or CBS also so hoping to learn a few things following this

Dan

 

[clownplanted]

Looking forward to how this turns out. I am considering CRS or CBS also so hoping to learn a few things following this

Dan

Thanks. I'm trying to set it up as close to how they are now since they are thriving how @natemcnutty has them now. So I will be doing 15ppm co2 and half EI. I know many do not believe in doing co2 with them but I know it can be done with no issues. Tom Barr has a shrimp tank that does 30ppm co2 and full EI and his breed. I do not want as much co2 in this tank as my 60 has but just enough to help the plants and keep all happy.


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[Corydoradaxplora]

Looks awesome! Can I ask what kind of substrate you are using?

 

[clownplanted]

Looks awesome! Can I ask what kind of substrate you are using?

I am using BDBS. Looks like I forgot to add that in my first post. I will update it.

 

[Corydoradaxplora]

I love that stuff. It's great you don't have to use buffering soil. Not having to worry about breaking down the tank to replace it is nice. Looking to do the same with CBS down the road. Good to see others are doing the same. Keep us updated!

 

[TropicalAquarist]

Very nice build, will be following along!
The problem with CO2 and shrimp is only if something goes wrong and suddenly you have way more CO2....

 

[clownplanted]

Very nice build, will be following along!

The problem with CO2 and shrimp is only if something goes wrong and suddenly you have way more CO2....

I hear ya and that is a concern for all inhabitants and not just shrimp though. We run this risk with our fish and inverts. I Will be running a powerhead that is on the way and will be here in 2 days. Running on surface to create more o2 and better flow all around with surface agitation. This in a sense gives you 5-15% more o2 giving you a bit more "breathing" room pun intended

This is what I do on my 60 gallon tank and run a consistent 45ppm co2 with zero issues. Of course I will not be running this amount of co2 on this tank.


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[Corydoradaxplora]

If you ever do want to bump up the co2 and are worried about it, you can get one of those fancy sochting oxydators. They don't expel co2 and will bump up o2.

 

[clownplanted]

So I swapped out the Beamswork DHL 1W 6500k with the Beamswork DA FSPEC light. The FSPEC runs a bit cooler allowing me to run the cooler temp needed. The DHL is just a bit too warm to keep the temp cooler than 74F. The FSPEc lets me run it cooler at the needed temp.

Oh and some more plants will be here today to help fill in the tank. Thanks @Aqua99 Looks like they will be here in 10 minutes or so

 

[clownplanted]

Got the plants planted in the tank. Thanks @Aqua99 they all looked great and in great condition. Really helped to fill in the tank more. The shrimp will really appreciate it.

Bump: Its funny that large green sword on the right has 2 runners one with 4 baby swords that I have just left there for a couple weeks. I should trim and plant them but I just have no where to plant them. Both of my tanks have a ton of swords already. Although I do kind of like them on the top blocking some light as I am sure the shrimp will appreciate some cover. That beamswork light as you can tell is bright.

 

[clownplanted]

And the countdown begins. 2 1/2 hours and the CRS will be in their new home. So excited.

 

[clownplanted]

Just arrived. At first was worried they were not moving. Opened the bag and they are acclimating. They are all moving around now. All alive and account for. They look great

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[Nigel95]

Looking good!

 

[clownplanted]

And they are in. Seem to be doing great. Thanks @natemcnutty

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[natemcnutty]

Looking good! They'll color up over the next day or two. Kind of a bummer they sat in a building all day yesterday... Just because it is 2 day shipping shouldn't mean they can't deliver in 1 day

 

[clownplanted]

Looking good! They'll color up over the next day or two. Kind of a bummer they sat in a building all day yesterday... Just because it is 2 day shipping shouldn't mean they can't deliver in 1 day

Ya I was very worried. They were not moving at all. Then opened up the bag and in a couple minutes they all off a sudden woke up and were moving. What a sigh of relief. Everything was packed great. Oh and the plants they are all great as well. All in the tank. Thank you so much. Very happy.


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