What to stock in a 5.5 gallon shrimp tank

[Coursair]

I don't use an air stone on my Shrimp tanks. I do use a sponge over my intake. The bulbs may grow. Watch for any that don't and start to rot. A Moss ball or some other Moss will make them happy. Java Fern is also super easy. It will get to big, but just sell of trade mature plant and keep the babies. You can tie it or float it.

CRS are pretty sensitive for a new tank. I'd start with RCS and learn using them. Once tank is stable, then try 2 or 3 CRS to start. Add more from a different bloodline.


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[KingMaddog]

I modified the intake tube on my power filter so it can have more flow with the sponge over it. I decided to do it this way so I cam put my power filter to good use and not have to buy a new filter and air pump. Has anyone else done this? I will be ordering 20 RCS tomorrow, and purchasing the sponge i need as well.

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[KingMaddog]

I just got my shrimp today along with my sponge. I couldn't find the sponge locally but ebay came in handy. The sponge is working great amd it didn't restrict the flow of my power filter. Some of the bulbs are growing good while others are just sprouting. Here's a pic of my setup. I know it's bare now, but won't be soon.

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[KingMaddog]

A few more angles

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[KingMaddog]

I did a little aquascaping by taking out the bulbs that didn't sprout and moving my water lily and water onion. I will be getting more plants on the weekend. Should I add a couple Otos or Corys?

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[Coursair]

I did a little aquascaping by taking out the bulbs that didn't sprout and moving my water lily and water onion. I will be getting more plants on the weekend. Should I add a couple Otos or Corys?

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No, a 5.5g is too small for Otos or Cories IME. You should add more plants. A Moss Ball or another Moss will give them more things to clean and eat.

Watch your water parameters.


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[KingMaddog]

No, a 5.5g is too small for Otos or Cories IME. You should add more plants. A Moss Ball or another Moss will give them more things to clean and eat.

Watch your water parameters.


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More plants are going in this weekend. I just wish my bulbs would have grown more before my shrimp came. Since my tank is too small for Corys, should I get a mystery snail or amano shrimp as tankmates?

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[Coursair]

More plants are going in this weekend. I just wish my bulbs would have grown more before my shrimp came. Since my tank is too small for Corys, should I get a mystery snail or amano shrimp as tankmates?

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A Mystery is too big. An Amano may be a bully for food. I would just do Shrimp for now. You may end up with some pond snails anyway from live plants.


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[KingMaddog]

I went ahead and got a couple more plants today. I'm looking into getting a reddish foreground plant for the front corners of the tank. What do you think so far?

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[KingMaddog]

The tank is now done. I believe there is enough plants now. I have.... 20 RCS, 1 Water Lily, 2 Water Onions, 4 Aponogeton (all grown from bulbs), 2 bunches of Cyperus Helferi, and 3 bunches of tTelanthera Cardinalis (live plants). I have to wait for the bulbs to grow more an fill out the bare areas. Check out the pics and tell me your thoughts.

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[Coursair]

I would add a dark background and maybe a piece of wood. You need something off center ? Looks a little too symmetrical ? But nice, don't get me wrong
http://fish-etc.com/aquascaping-main/how-to-hardscape-your-aquarium



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[KingMaddog]

I would add a dark background and maybe a piece of wood. You need something off center ? Looks a little too symmetrical ? But nice, don't get me wrong
http://fish-etc.com/aquascaping-main/how-to-hardscape-your-aquarium



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I'm very OCD about things needing to be symmetrical. I will be painting the back of the tank black when I get paint.

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