perfect.
Can I do Tigers or CRS with the local water...?
Hi!
I'm in the process of setting up a new tank. I currently have a wont-stop-breeding colony of Malawas, if that helps answer this question at all. After the new tank gets established I will either be moving the Malawas over, or switching to something fancier. None of the Neo varieties really intrigue me, including the fancy PFRs, etc. Would really like to do OEBT, but their pricing makes me gun shy. Shrimp do die sometimes, in my experience.
Don't have hardness testing kits, but municipal water report has been very consistent at least a few years back.
PH - 7.6 average (the dozen times I have tested it I've gotten between 7.4 and 7.6)
KH - 5.5
GH - 7.8
No idea on TDS. Not opposed to getting a pen.
Only source I could find online was a guy on a home brew forum in '09 who got it tested at 200. TDS would change with some regularity I would think though?
In the last 2 weeks of 100 degree heat, my tank hasn't gotten above about 80. Not opposed to making a fan set up for running during summer (which I know I would need to do -- AC brings the apt. down to mid 70s when it is 90 out, but not when it is 100). The new tank also will have MUCH more surface agitation than the current one, so there should be more evaporation I believe.
Any advice welcome, and appreciated.
*** Clarification -- I'm asking this now, because if I decide to switch to a Cardinia species, I'm not going to move the Malawas to the new tank. I'll wait a couple months to add any shrimp for bacteria, etc to build up from munching. If I am going to just keep the Malawas, I'll move them as soon as the tank is cycled.
Thanks!
I'm in the process of setting up a new tank. I currently have a wont-stop-breeding colony of Malawas, if that helps answer this question at all. After the new tank gets established I will either be moving the Malawas over, or switching to something fancier. None of the Neo varieties really intrigue me, including the fancy PFRs, etc. Would really like to do OEBT, but their pricing makes me gun shy. Shrimp do die sometimes, in my experience.
Don't have hardness testing kits, but municipal water report has been very consistent at least a few years back.
PH - 7.6 average (the dozen times I have tested it I've gotten between 7.4 and 7.6)
KH - 5.5
GH - 7.8
No idea on TDS. Not opposed to getting a pen.
Only source I could find online was a guy on a home brew forum in '09 who got it tested at 200. TDS would change with some regularity I would think though?
In the last 2 weeks of 100 degree heat, my tank hasn't gotten above about 80. Not opposed to making a fan set up for running during summer (which I know I would need to do -- AC brings the apt. down to mid 70s when it is 90 out, but not when it is 100). The new tank also will have MUCH more surface agitation than the current one, so there should be more evaporation I believe.
Any advice welcome, and appreciated.
*** Clarification -- I'm asking this now, because if I decide to switch to a Cardinia species, I'm not going to move the Malawas to the new tank. I'll wait a couple months to add any shrimp for bacteria, etc to build up from munching. If I am going to just keep the Malawas, I'll move them as soon as the tank is cycled.
Thanks!
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For killing expensive shrimp? Or for getting them to breed? :help:perfect.
Edit -- Should say, especially with Tigers (I'm pretty sure my params aren't right for CRS) I've read VERY conflicting reports of what is doable and what isn't.
You should take a look at this:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=176557
Also, TDS meter is a cheap investment needed for keeping cardinias IMO.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=176557
Also, TDS meter is a cheap investment needed for keeping cardinias IMO.
OEBTs n neos right?perfect.
OEBTs from my research like temps around 70-74. The temp might be a bit much for them. If you are not opposed to setting up a fan you can also easily do a DIY dual stage temperature controller that controls the fan and heater to keep the temp around a set temp. I just set mine up for my OEBTs.
That is the maddening thing about OEBTs, and Tigers generally. You read MUCH more conflicting info than you do, say, about CRS.
I've read a number of people saying mid-70s is great for them, breeding like gang busters at 76, etc.
It kind of makes me think that they are more adaptable than CRS?
I've read a number of people saying mid-70s is great for them, breeding like gang busters at 76, etc.
It kind of makes me think that they are more adaptable than CRS?
OEBTs from my research like temps around 70-74. The temp might be a bit much for them. If you are not opposed to setting up a fan you can also easily do a DIY dual stage temperature controller that controls the fan and heater to keep the temp around a set temp. I just set mine up for my OEBTs.
I have actually read that OP a couple of times from start to finishYou should take a look at this:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=176557
Also, TDS meter is a cheap investment needed for keeping cardinias IMO.
Do you guys think that buying a dozen cheap regular Tigers would be a good way to "test" my set up for OEBT? I could then sell the "test" Tigers locally...
I keep my OEBTs in PH6.7-6.8, TDS 135, GH 5, KH 0 water. They grew to breeding age about a month ago and started getting berried. I have 8 of them in a tank and 3 of them are berried. I don't know if I'll be able to keep the babies survive but I'm trying.
Also, your Chicago tap water has almost identical parameters as Toronto's (PH 7.6-7.8, GH 8, KH 5, TDS 170). I use reminieralized RO for WC, pure RO for top-off. Temperature is 65-72, occasionally gets to 75 but no higher (tank is in basement). 10% WC every two weeks or longer, top-off as required. They like to eat and won't refuse any food.
Once I have some babies survive, I'll move some to a neo tank with just the aged tap water and see how they do. I have heard a local's experience, he couldn't get OEBTs to carry eggs to full term in PH 7.2, but once he moved them to a tank with ADA substrate (ph ~6) then he started to have successful breeding, and I have heard the opposite (not from the area).
One thing I find is, it really IS better to get juvi's instead of adult shrimps. I got these OEBTs when they were like 1cm or smaller in mid-April, and started to breed mid June. I also got some adult OEBTs (one comes berried with just 3 eggs), and they don't seem to be as keen in breeding. I think adult shrimps take longer to adapt into breeding mood while juvi's growing up in the tank have less issue. I used to think it's a myth when people say buying juvi's is better, but I'm now completely bought in on the theory.
Also, your Chicago tap water has almost identical parameters as Toronto's (PH 7.6-7.8, GH 8, KH 5, TDS 170). I use reminieralized RO for WC, pure RO for top-off. Temperature is 65-72, occasionally gets to 75 but no higher (tank is in basement). 10% WC every two weeks or longer, top-off as required. They like to eat and won't refuse any food.
Once I have some babies survive, I'll move some to a neo tank with just the aged tap water and see how they do. I have heard a local's experience, he couldn't get OEBTs to carry eggs to full term in PH 7.2, but once he moved them to a tank with ADA substrate (ph ~6) then he started to have successful breeding, and I have heard the opposite (not from the area).
One thing I find is, it really IS better to get juvi's instead of adult shrimps. I got these OEBTs when they were like 1cm or smaller in mid-April, and started to breed mid June. I also got some adult OEBTs (one comes berried with just 3 eggs), and they don't seem to be as keen in breeding. I think adult shrimps take longer to adapt into breeding mood while juvi's growing up in the tank have less issue. I used to think it's a myth when people say buying juvi's is better, but I'm now completely bought in on the theory.
I am using Azoo substrate with some twig-heavy Vermicompost under it in this tank, so my PH SHOULD buffer down some from my tap conditions. How much remains to be seen as this is a new type of vermicompost I haven't used before (much more twigs and sticks) and I have used FSS in the past. The Azoo, by most accounts, does much better buffering than the FSS. We have used organic vermicompost in all our tanks with good success, this stuff just has more non-worm-poop matter in it than the stuff we have used in the past, and much of that matter (twigs and sticks) will buffer the water down a bit.I keep my OEBTs in PH6.7-6.8, TDS 135, GH 5, KH 0 water. They grew to breeding age about a month ago and started getting berried. I have 8 of them in a tank and 3 of them are berried. I don't know if I'll be able to keep the babies survive but I'm trying.
Also, your Chicago tap water has almost identical parameters as Toronto's (PH 7.6-7.8, GH 8, KH 5, TDS 170). I use reminieralized RO for WC, pure RO for top-off. Temperature is 65-72, occasionally gets to 75 but no higher (tank is in basement). 10% WC every two weeks or longer, top-off as required. They like to eat and won't refuse any food.
Once I have some babies survive, I'll move some to a neo tank with just the aged tap water and see how they do. I have heard a local's experience, he couldn't get OEBTs to carry eggs to full term in PH 7.2, but once he moved them to a tank with ADA substrate (ph ~6) then he started to have successful breeding, and I have heard the opposite (not from the area).
One thing I find is, it really IS better to get juvi's instead of adult shrimps. I got these OEBTs when they were like 1cm or smaller in mid-April, and started to breed mid June. I also got some adult OEBTs (one comes berried with just 3 eggs), and they don't seem to be as keen in breeding. I think adult shrimps take longer to adapt into breeding mood while juvi's growing up in the tank have less issue. I used to think it's a myth when people say buying juvi's is better, but I'm now completely bought in on the theory.
I 100% agree on the juvie thing. I also keep blue pearls, which will be going into my fiancee's work tank to consolidate our blue pearl populations. When I just had adults, they would berry occasionally, but we didn't see the neo-population-explosion everyone talks about. Once I bought about 18 juvies and they came to maturity, the breeding exploded. Now though, my tank has reached maximum population at around 125 shrimp, and the Malawas are slowly out competing the blue pearls. My shrimp population is cyclic now. Population will drop to about 80 through lack of breeding and jumpers. When it gets to about there, it will explode back up to 140 or so. I've seen this cycle happen 2-3 times now, and it is really interesting. Every time it happens though, the Malawas take over a little bit more of the tank.
nyc is 6.9 to 7.0 .... filter came out to be 6.4
Maybe pm ykh. He is out in aurora and I believe sells tigers and crs. As far as if he keeps em in our local water I can't Remb, but he might have some pointers or tips for you.
As for a tds pen, I found my first one at brew n grow but they over charge. Internet is cheapest bet.
Also I'm really interested to know your results on this as my thinking is very similar to yours on type of shrimp and also how they fair in our water supply.
As for a tds pen, I found my first one at brew n grow but they over charge. Internet is cheapest bet.
Also I'm really interested to know your results on this as my thinking is very similar to yours on type of shrimp and also how they fair in our water supply.
You should also talk to DogFish then -- he has plans to attempt CRS in our water. He is in the NW burbs, but it should be pretty similar I would think.
Thanks for the tip on YKH!
Thanks for the tip on YKH!
Maybe pm ykh. He is out in aurora and I believe sells tigers and crs. As far as if he keeps em in our local water I can't Remb, but he might have some pointers or tips for you.
As for a tds pen, I found my first one at brew n grow but they over charge. Internet is cheapest bet.
Also I'm really interested to know your results on this as my thinking is very similar to yours on type of shrimp and also how they fair in our water supply.
I would say its fine for tigers but not CRS. CRS like it a tad lower in all categories and less KH.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
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