DarkSmoggie

Thanks for the replies, I am using api tap water conditioner, I was using terra aquasafe, I might try the mineral stones and see how they go

I've been keeping red cherry shrimp for a couple of months now in an established 35 litre tank. recently I've noticed that their numbers have been dwindling most notably when they moult. Over the last few weeks I've been testing the water, the only thing that's been consistent is Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite has been at 0pmm. I've also tested the GH\KH of the water have managed to get it down from over 300pmm to to 200pm, I also have a TDS pen the readings have came down from 250ppm to 135ppm by adding peat to my filter and its help as the PH has gone from 7.6 to 6.6, I've also reduced the tempurture in the tank from 29c to 27c. But the last few days I've been wondering if it would be worth getting some ADA Amazonia substrate to lower the ph a little more or should I just continue with the peat that's in the filter and maybe adding a little more, I'm also wondering if De-Ionised water (https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/272512807) would be another option since R/O units or distilled water is a little pricey in the UK.

I'm considering getting a 25\30 litre tank with its own light in the hood and to move my red cherry shrimp in there but was wondering what sort of plants not only would be ideal for the type of light it'll have but also for the red cherry shrimps as well. I have been considering getting java moss and java fern and attaching it to some bogwood that i have but would like some stem plants that aren't going to require CO2, i would possibly be adding some root tabs and API leaf zone.

The lightning isn't to bad, I have led set up in the tank but at a guess that could be one of the reasons why i'm struggling with these pants as I don't think its made for plant growth, as I've got an Aqua One Plant Glo led light in my main tank and I've noticed a huge difference regarding the swords and dwarf sagittaria which has a similar set up but am also injecting C02 as well. I've just looked at the reviews for API Leaf Zone so going to give this a try as well

Hi Currently have a 60l shrimp only tank which currently have sone java moss attached to some driftwood and a decoration, moss balls, an Amazon Sword plant and a few Dwarf Sagittaria and Egeria Densa, with a a black sand substrate with some tetra plant complete substrate to 'help' with the latter 3 plants which isn't but not looking to go through the C02 route I'm wondering if java fern attachable to some driftwood would be easier to look after and just use liquid ferts once or twice a week