rhsoto94
Aquarium Advice Freak
Don't you have to wait for the tank establish for a while before adding shrimp? I've juss read that and would like to know if it's mandatory to do so because I'm going to be starting a shrimp tank soon too.
3g Shrimp Tank Timeline!
- Thread starter captaincritical
- Start date
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Yup, shrimp need "mature" tanks. Mature tanks are tanks that have had time to grow in any necessary biofilm and microorganisms.
OP
OP
captaincritical
Aquarium Advice Freak
Yeah, it's definitely a good idea. I stuffed the heck out of this new filter with really old, seeded media and I've been crushing a tiny bit of flake in every few days in hopes that it'll help things along.
rhsoto94
Aquarium Advice Freak
How much longer you going to wait?
OP
OP
captaincritical
Aquarium Advice Freak
At the very least, a week and a half or so. If I was getting them from a store I'd likely wait longer, but I'm getting them from a local aquaria society member who would rather have them gone sooner than later. I would say about a month is usually the minimum recommended. I'm hoping mine will be okay.
rhsoto94
Aquarium Advice Freak
Nice post how it goes.
OP
OP
captaincritical
Aquarium Advice Freak
OP
OP
captaincritical
Aquarium Advice Freak
Another update, though no shrimp just yet.
My new filter and heater came in and thankfully, both work just beautifully. Filter is a TOM Mini Internal filter and heater is a Hydor 25W submersible. The heater was expensive for its wattage but it has a temperature dial which is sadly lacking in a lot of the smaller models. Satisfied with both purchases!
Here they are in the tank. The two of them combined take up less space than the single Tetra Whisper 10 that I had in there before. I still need to straighten them out but I plan on doing more planting later, so I'll do it then:
The entire tank as it is now:
I can't wait until the aquaria society auction next Sunday! Hoping to pick up a whole bunch of plants and re-do the community tank, as well as fill out this one.
My new filter and heater came in and thankfully, both work just beautifully. Filter is a TOM Mini Internal filter and heater is a Hydor 25W submersible. The heater was expensive for its wattage but it has a temperature dial which is sadly lacking in a lot of the smaller models. Satisfied with both purchases!
Here they are in the tank. The two of them combined take up less space than the single Tetra Whisper 10 that I had in there before. I still need to straighten them out but I plan on doing more planting later, so I'll do it then:
The entire tank as it is now:
I can't wait until the aquaria society auction next Sunday! Hoping to pick up a whole bunch of plants and re-do the community tank, as well as fill out this one.
venymae
Aquarium Advice Addict
Looks good. I love the new equipment! I actually started a shrimp tank with RCS that was def. NOT mature (the RCS seller had a deadline) but I put in tons of javamoss on driftwood from a mature tank and I think that helped. I have had no problems so far (1+month) and even babies! 
I feed them some soft pellets daily. So, though it's better to have a mature tank, I wouldn't worry too much.
I feed them some soft pellets daily. So, though it's better to have a mature tank, I wouldn't worry too much.
OP
OP
captaincritical
Aquarium Advice Freak
Looks good. I love the new equipment! I actually started a shrimp tank with RCS that was def. NOT mature (the RCS seller had a deadline) but I put in tons of javamoss on driftwood from a mature tank and I think that helped. I have had no problems so far (1+month) and even babies!
That's really good to know, thanks for sharing! I'm seeing some diatom growth on my vals and java moss, so I know there's some life in there! I'm mostly just waiting on a way to go pick up the shrimp now. We don't have a vehicle and I can't justify cabbing it there and back after spending $30 on the shrimp themselves.
OP
OP
captaincritical
Aquarium Advice Freak
I have shrimp! 
10 tiny blue velvets came home with me on Monday evening. Unfortunately I did lose one, but the others are happy, healthy, and thriving. My single casualty fell victim to the filter intake and I feel so, so horrible for not knowing better. It's since been covered with fine mesh. Honestly, I don't know if the poor thing wasn't doing well and died naturally before being sucked up, or if it was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ah well... you live, you learn. Swim in peace, little shrimp.
I'm seriously contemplating getting a macro lens for my iPhone. These little guys are just absolutely beautiful and I could watch them for hours at a time. They exhibit such interesting behaviour, especially for something so small. Forgive me for some of the more blurry photos below. I'm getting better at catching them but it's taking some time!
Have some picture spam:
Here's one of my lady shrimp. See the saddle?
The first feeding:
The first molt. Boy, did this ever scare me when I found it!
The guys have utterly destroyed the diatom bloom that was trying to happen in the nano tank. Within 12 hours, there was no sign of brown ANYWHERE. Consider me impressed.
The last photo comes with a bit of a back story, so bear with me.
Yesterday morning I noticed most of the shrimp in the tank swimming about rather erratically. I had just topped if off with some fresh water and my first thought was "oh no, I've caused too much of a pH swing!" I watched them carefully for some time, but they remained bright and active so I figured they were just happy to have some fresh stuff to swim in.
Turns out they were very happy indeed! My shrimp were doing a happy mating dance. I spotted this little lady just before bed last night, full of eggs!
I think it's safe to say they're at least content in their new home. It took about 3 days for them to start molting and breeding.
10 tiny blue velvets came home with me on Monday evening. Unfortunately I did lose one, but the others are happy, healthy, and thriving. My single casualty fell victim to the filter intake and I feel so, so horrible for not knowing better. It's since been covered with fine mesh. Honestly, I don't know if the poor thing wasn't doing well and died naturally before being sucked up, or if it was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ah well... you live, you learn. Swim in peace, little shrimp.
I'm seriously contemplating getting a macro lens for my iPhone. These little guys are just absolutely beautiful and I could watch them for hours at a time. They exhibit such interesting behaviour, especially for something so small. Forgive me for some of the more blurry photos below. I'm getting better at catching them but it's taking some time!
Have some picture spam:
Here's one of my lady shrimp. See the saddle?
The first feeding:
The first molt. Boy, did this ever scare me when I found it!
The guys have utterly destroyed the diatom bloom that was trying to happen in the nano tank. Within 12 hours, there was no sign of brown ANYWHERE. Consider me impressed.
The last photo comes with a bit of a back story, so bear with me.
Yesterday morning I noticed most of the shrimp in the tank swimming about rather erratically. I had just topped if off with some fresh water and my first thought was "oh no, I've caused too much of a pH swing!" I watched them carefully for some time, but they remained bright and active so I figured they were just happy to have some fresh stuff to swim in.
Turns out they were very happy indeed! My shrimp were doing a happy mating dance.
I spotted this little lady just before bed last night, full of eggs!
I think it's safe to say they're at least content in their new home. It took about 3 days for them to start molting and breeding.
cfosgate
Aquarium Advice Freak
Congratulations! That's great news.
rhsoto94
Aquarium Advice Freak
They look pretty cool i like the color do you know if they are the same as blue pearls because they seem similar to mine.
venymae
Aquarium Advice Addict
Wow what fun! I love your little tank <3 The blue shrimp are beautiful and such a relaxing color. Eggs already and no diatoms you much be as happy as your shrimp!
