[shanek]

I am using aquasoil/powersand for a newly setup tank. When can I release the algae crew into the tank? After ammonia and nitrite spikes subside?

 

[A Hill]

Thats when I would do it.

What are you planning on adding?

-Andrew

 

[shanek]

I am planning on adding 20 ottos and 20 algae eating shrimp.

 

[mrbelvedere]

What size tank? 20 otos is a lot. What kind of algae eating shrimp? Caridina multidentata?

 

[shanek]

58 gallon tank. Probably Cherry Red Shrimp and Amano Shrimp.

 

[confuted]

20 otos is most likely much more than you need, unless you're trying to have an oto tank...

 

[Lucky_13]

for ottos, wait until you actually HAVE algae. they are very fragile when introduced to a new tank and they need their natural food source immediately to start settling in. 20 ottos is a LOT. they are little piggies. i'd shoot more for like 5 or 6.

 

[shanek]

My experience with ottos is they die off for one reason or another. I had 12 ottos in my 20g tank and I ended with 3 after all said in done. I've had the 3 ottos for over a year. So I picked 20 because I figure I'll end up with half.

 

[shanek]

I have algae in the new tank now. Brown and green spot and thread are starting. There is algae to be had.

 

[PasD]

I would probably wait till the third or fourth week to add the amanos or cherry shrimp. At that point, the ammonia spike should be subsiding, which should be safe for the shrimp.