beastykato

I ordered that batch from Aquatic Arts. I don't know what else to do except to try again. I'm not gonna give up, but unfortunately I'm just unsure of what to change if anything at all. I'm gonna look into a different pH kit. It makes me nervous that I can't see where it's at below 6. I'm not sure how low the ADA soil can potentially take the pH, but right now it's the only parameter I can't test for certain.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I did initially have the ammonia problem when the soil was first added. However, this batch of shrimp was added after that had stabilized. I did not drip acclimate them, however, this die off lasted over the span of weeks/months. It didn't seem to be due to a shock. All I did was put them in a container, and added a few cups of tank water over a few hour period to get them used to it and then at the end of the day added them to the tank.

I bought 20 CRS a few months ago and have all but a few die off. I've got between 1-3 CRS still alive in my 40G breeder. It's hard to tell because it's so heavily planted that sometimes I'll see 2-3, but then it becomes hard to locate them for a few days. Anyway, when I originally set up the tank I used play sand like I do in all my Neocaridina tanks. It was only about an inch thick and planted. I originally failed with a batch of 20 in this set-up so I bought the ADA aquasoil and now it is about another 1-2 inches on top of the sand. And then I bought another batch of 20. I also began using RO/DI water at the time of the soil addition and continue to do so. I use MK-breed liquid remineralizer. Filtration is a small eheim canister (can't remember the model number 2213? maybe) and a sponge filter. My readings are: pH: <6.0 (lowest API liquid kit goes is 6.0) CRS still breed fine in ~5-6 pH yes? Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate: 0 ppm GH: 6-7 KH: 0-1 TDS:180-200 Temp: 70F This should be ideal for CRS right? For food I buy a variety of the vegetable based foods from Kensfish. And feed only a few pellets 2-3 days a week because there is so much foraging ground versus the population. Does anything stick out to you guys? I mean there are still 3 left that have been living in this tank for months. However, there is obviously something lacking or too extreme for the majority to adjust to when I receive them.

Ok, so I've finally taken the advice I was given on here and I went and bought myself a cheap RO/DI unit. Everything went well and the resulting water registered 0 TDS. The only additive I have is MK-Breed blue diamond. I added it to my RO water and my resulting TDS was ~160 very close to where I keep it now and the pH was 6.0. All fine and dandy for my CRS. However, what do I do to raise my pH for my Neocaridina tanks? Is there a separate additive that many recommend for Neo's? My tap water typically comes out right around the 7pH range. I realize Blue Diamond is made with CRS in mind so I assume that's why the pH remains low. So, I figure there is a specific additive for Neo's as well? ** I did a little research while typing this thread up and saw that Salty Shrimp is a very common one for neutral water. Just to keep the discussion going I was wondering if there were any more that anyone recommends? I particularly like the MK-Breed that I have because it's liquid and works very quickly. I would just like some opinions as I'll probably be pulling the trigger on the Salty Shrimp GH+ pretty soon unless someone pops up with a better alternative.

Hi guys, I'm trying to successfully breed my blue diamond neo's and can't seem to really get them to take off. Research I did seems to say the are derived from the Chocolate Neo. Are blue diamonds fundamentally different that standard RCS? Because my RCS breed like absolute rabbits. I've had limited success breeding CRS, but always seem to have a mass die off after a few months. When going good though I have been able to get them to breed fairly quickly. I apologize I don't have all the specs for my tanks on hand at this time. However, I'll say what I know off-hand. I now have my blues spread out in 3 tanks, all tanks are tap water with MK Breed Blue Diamond added to adjust TDS and Prime for dechlorination. My standard tap water comes out with a TDS in the 120-140 range. Filtration on most of my tanks is simply air-driven sponge filters, although my CRS tank has an eheim 2211 for added filtration since they are delicate. Tank 1: My CRS tank pH is 6.4, TDS ~150 Tank 2: Dedicated blue diamond tank. pH is 7.4 and TDS is 200 Tank 3: Identical to my RCS tank, play sand substrate, pH 6.7, TDS 240 (RCS Breeding like MAD in this setup) I've only tried RCS and Yellow Neos prior to these Blue Diamonds and didn't have a problem breeding either variety. These blue's just seem to be giving me a run for my money and I can't seem to figure out why. Surely, I'll get lucky with at least one of these set-ups right?

Just wanted to come back and post an update because my last remaining OEBT's are still alive and well!. I transferred them to a 10 gallon tank that has an inert substrate and a pH about ~7. I don't remember everything off the top of my head but I think KH/GH and around 2-6 now and a TDS of ~200. I raised my TDS from 120 to 200 with Blue Diamond (got this after I made this thread) and everything seems to be going great and we are still on regular old tap water. Now they are getting more deep in color, molting, and are far more active. I just need them to start breeding now... no luck on that front.

Thanks, good info. I definitely understand where you're coming from. Why add complexity of fertilizers if they're unnecessary. I'm still new to keeping anything beyond easy to keep neo's, but I was under the impression the only thing to worry about in fertilizers is is the copper. I'm not sure what all is contained in the ADA soil. I'll definitely keep your setup list for a guide on future tanks.

Just curious why you do not recommend the ADA soil? The ADA soil is what I bought off of recommendations from other forums. Is it just because it leeches ammonia initially or are there multiple reasons?

I got my digital TDS meter in a couple days ago and it's reading 116 on my OEBT tank. Seems a little low compared to what most people have in their shrimp tanks. I'm actually surprised because tap water should normally be higher right? My tap water actually comes out lower than this. My RCS tank that uses the same tap water with play sand substrate reads 182. That one unit is very cheap at at only 60-70 dollars. It definitely seems like it would be worth it even if I had to buy a new one every year.

I'm just using tap water. I know what R/O systems are, but I have never actually used one. How expensive are they to maintain? I'd have to refresh myself on how they work and what media they use, but I'm familiar with the process of osmosis and what it means. The media that absorbs the contents of the water obviously burns out eventually. So, how often does it need to be replaced? I'll go ahead a do a google search now, but any direct input on the R/O systems or a link to a well recommended one would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks very much for the replies. I got to digging around yesterday and found that there were actually 7 still alive! So, things are getting slightly less gloomy lol. The soil leeching ammonia has not been as issue for me. I don't know why that is, but the plants and bacteria in there seem to be handling any ammonia given off just fine. I only added a 1/2 of the bag now because I was aware of this, it dropped the pH almost immediately. Anyway, ammonia is still testing yellow (0ppm) every time I do the test. The tank was not set up for a long time prior to adding them, maybe 2 weeks. However substrate, foam filters, and the plants were all added from my RCS tanks. So, there was a big jump start on bacteria. I don't think I am overfeeding. I honestly don't know if I even need to be feeding them much of anything. I let them go 2-3 days without feeding anything additional. I have had RCS for a year successfully, I realize they are far easier to keep, but as far as feeding goes I'm pretty good with how much the shrimp can consume. I did remove the heater a few days ago so temps are no longer an issue. They were at 72, now 70 to slightly lower. This is obviously not a water cleanliness issue since they have survived this long, not to mention this was 20 shrimp in a 40 gallon volume of water. Possibly a parameter issue. Ok, so I have 3 options at this point the way I see it. 1. Leave the 7 survivors in the tank. Leave the soil alone and see how they do at this pH. 2: Same as above, but start removing the ADA soil slowly and putting it in a fresh 10g I have. Use the 10g to attempt my first low pH shrimp 3: Move them immediately to the 10 gallon that is running ~74F without a heater. This should drop since winter is coming, but my upstairs is typically 70-74 in the summer. Help seed it with playsand and the plants and driftwood from the current tank. My pH out of the tap is 7 to 7.2 pH.

Hi everyone, this is my first post here. You guys all definitely seem to be very knowledgeable about shrimp keeping! Recently, I bought a batch of 20 or so OEBT. I put them in a 40G breeder with sand substrate and the pH was 7 to 7.4 and I believe my KH and GH were 4 and 6 at the time. Nitrogen waste all read 0 except for nitrates at ~5. Temp was at 76. They started to die off slowly and inexplicably. I still can't identify exactly why, but I think it was a molting issue because they die off one a at time for no apparent reason. Anyway, after the first few deaths I lowered the temp once I found out they like it a lot cooler. So, they were 70-72 at the time and still continued to die over a period of a month or so. Finally, I was instructed that they need a lower pH and bought ADA aquasoil. Last I checked it read a pH of 6.6 and 1KH and 4GH after the addition of the soil. All other parameters are the same and nitrogen still 0. After reading on this forum a little I have found that most people are saying OEBT won't even breed at these low pH levels? So, I may have made a big mistake adding this to my tank =( Anyway, I'm down to only 4 of 20 OEBT after a period of about 3 months. I definitely need some advice. Their diet consists of shrimp cuisine, crab cuisine and algae tablets. Crab cuisine being fed very sparingly. I notice they don't swarm the algae tablets like my RCS do. OEBT not as crazy about the veggies? Anyway, I'm not sure what to do at this point I need a couple pieces of advice. 1: What's wrong parameter wise? How do I fix it? 2: Was ADA soil a bad idea? If so, can you recommend another shrimp for an intermediate shrimper to start breeding in this type of setup? I'd rather not go thru the process of trying to remove the substrate at this point.