Starting a planted tank

[Dumbo the Fish]

The plants should definitely help keep the water clean, right?

 

[ZxC]

The plants should definitely help keep the water clean, right?

Not really, kind of a myth. They will uptake certain compounds (PO4, NO3) but not near fast enough to keep our glass boxes of water clean.

Nothing beats large, frequent water changes.

 

[Dumbo the Fish]

Oh wow. Learn something new every day. Do the shrimp need to be fed or will they be fine with all the plants. I’ve also heard they will only breed in brackish water. Is this true?

 

[Fresh2o]

Shrimp will eat biofilm that grows on surfaces of plants, rocks, driftwood, and substrate in an established aquarium. They will also dine on certain types of algae. However, supplying algae wafers, plant based fish foods, fresh vegetables, and shrimp specific food will help.
As for the salinity, it depends on the shrimp. Amano shrimp thrive in freshwater but require varying degrees of saltwater for the eggs to have and for the larvae to survive. Other dwarf shrimp such as red cherry shrimp only need fresh water.

 

[Dumbo the Fish]

I’ve been thinking of red cherry shrimp and definitely ghost shrimp. What about ghosties?

 

[ZxC]

I’ve been thinking of red cherry shrimp and definitely ghost shrimp. What about ghosties?

They will also need brackish water for the larva to live.

Cherry shrimp (neacaridina) are 100% fresh water.

 

[Dumbo the Fish]

Ended up not getting the tank. But I’ll do my research and maybe around october