have you decided on a type of shrimp(s) you wish to keep?
Can't agreed with you more.Those are nice things to do to help set up bacteria but they are not absolute necessities
If you're open to OEBT's, PM garfieldnfish, she's local. Ask her what her parameter's are and what she uses to adjust her water. I think she uses tap to start with.I am planning on getting Tiger Shrimp