[sunmiztres]

I know that when you add co2 to a tank with fish you can safely turn off the co2 at night with no effect to the fish. I was wondering if it is the same with CRS?

My water out of the faucet is 8.1 PH, 5.3 degrees KH, and 5.6 degrees GH. I believe the water parameters for CRS is fine with my tap water except the PH. What do you think of my water parameters out of the faucet for CRS and is it safe to turn the co2 off at night. When I do turn the co2 off with air bubbles going into the tank at night my co2 rises from 6.7 to 7.7. Is this okay, safe. I am asking this related to breeding the CRS. I need it to be safe so the pregnant females will not be harmed as well as the babies.
Thanks for any info you can give.

 

[Hoppy]

Most shrimp are rugged creatures. They manage to live and breed in natural streams, where the pH changes with rainfall and other climate variations. They don't need CO2 to live the good life, so unless you are growing plants and using high light intensity in the shrimp tank, you accomplish nothing by adding CO2. But, I keep cherry shrimp in my planted tanks, using Excel in the nano and CO2 in the big tank, and the shrimp breed as if they have no problems with the water conditions. My water, this time of the year, has about the same KH and GH as yours.

 

[sunmiztres]

Most shrimp are rugged creatures. They manage to live and breed in natural streams, where the pH changes with rainfall and other climate variations. They don't need CO2 to live the good life, so unless you are growing plants and using high light intensity in the shrimp tank, you accomplish nothing by adding CO2. But, I keep cherry shrimp in my planted tanks, using Excel in the nano and CO2 in the big tank, and the shrimp breed as if they have no problems with the water conditions. My water, this time of the year, has about the same KH and GH as yours.

Yes my tank is very much planted. I was told that crs need acidic water to breed, a PH of 8.1 is not good to breed crs. I also have RCS with a PH of 8.1 and like you they breed like crazy.

I am dosing co2 to lower the PH and for the plants in my crs tank.
thanks

 

[dhavoc]

CRS also live longer in acidic water. they can tollerate 8.1 but wont live as long or breed at all.

 

[sunmiztres]

CRS also live longer in acidic water. they can tollerate 8.1 but wont live as long or breed at all.

Thanks for your answer. I am aware of that I know 8.1 isn't good over all. I am keeping them at 6.7 through the use of co2. What I was wanting to know is can I turn the co2 off at night? I ask this because in the morning when my lights come on a few of my CRS are in the corner near the surface of the tank acting as if they are low on oxygen. I really don't see how other then my plants are putting off to much co2 at night. I have 50 Crs in a 20 gallon high tank so I know there should be plenty of oxygen unless with the plants giving off co2 and the controller on all night because the bubbler exhausts my co2 so it stays on most of the time. So I was thinking I might try turning it off and see if that keeps the crs from going in the corner at night. I just don't want the ph swing that will happen from turning off the co2 to harm the crs.
Anyone know if it will, won't?
Thanks again

 

[A Hill]

I wouldn't turn off the CO2! Thats a pretty big swing and CRS are MUCH MUCH more sensitive than Cherries. Look in the DIY section and see the thread about the DIY oxygenator I think if it's a oxygen problem that should be a good idea since you don't want to use an airstone.

Also, CRS like acidic water and your tap is Hard... Whats your substrate? I would look into getting ADA AS (aquarium design amano aqua soil) that lowers the PH a ton! Jeff Senske and Mike Senske who own ADG are great guys and will be able to get you some, and the ADA AS is probably one of their best products!

But no I would NOT turn CO2 off at night...

-Andrew

Hoppy, it's amazing how CRS and RCS are different in sensitivity I had 2+ CRS Die today for no apparent reason it seems and the RCS are completely fine.

 

[dhavoc]

Sorry, i didnt read your post well, i use co2 also, but sparingly. i have very hard tap water as well and chased the dragon so to speak with regards to ph. once i switched to ada aquasoil (as suggested above) i now have a nice stable acidic home for my CRS and they are now breeding regularly. and i use co2 only sparingly. good luck.

 

[ianiwane]

The key is more in the hardness than in the pH. pH swings due to co2 do not matter. I would with out doubt turn the co2 off at night. Get your hardness down (kH) to bring down your pH. Do not rely on co2 to bring down your pH, that is very dangerous for these shrimp. I agree with using aquasoil as well, just make sure to test your water for ammonia before adding in the shrimp.

 

[sunmiztres]

The key is more in the hardness than in the pH. pH swings due to co2 do not matter. I would with out doubt turn the co2 off at night. Get your hardness down (kH) to bring down your pH. Do not rely on co2 to bring down your pH, that is very dangerous for these shrimp. I agree with using aquasoil as well, just make sure to test your water for ammonia before adding in the shrimp.

what would you suggest is a good KH for CRS?
Thanks

 

[Ankit]

I was also wondering what they prefer when you say that the hardness is important, hard water or soft water?

How do you recommend to lower the pH of tank water? ADA AS is the first, but let's say you still need to lower it a bit more, any recommendations?

 

[ianiwane]

Soft water of course. If you needed to lower the kH more, I would get an RO system Ideally a kH of 2 is good.

 

[sunmiztres]

Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated