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Azoo Active Filter 4in1 has 4 different types of media that it comes with and I want to research toxicity before introducing to any shrimp colony... “Silver Ion” - inhibit bacterial infection. (SiO2, CaO, P2O5, Ag, Zn, Mg) “Far Infrared–Rays” - decreases size of water molicules, promotes better metabolism as well as color and lifespan. (SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, Na2O, K2O) “Anion” - neutralizes suspended solids and other factors conducive to pathogens, providing clarified water, improved metabolism. (SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, TiO2) “Calcium & Magnesium Ion” - releases important ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, B3+, Zn2+, Li+, Al3+. (SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, B2O3, ZnO, Li2O, Na2O) It would be nice if it turns out safe to use with invertebrates because of the effects of these media’s on water quality, FYI: I bought a small amount of this media and tried it in my tank but it was only 2 ceramic pieces of each type. Way less than actually needed for any tank size. I have not seen any indication that damage has been done to the colony since I added it about a month or two ago. My first year in shrimp keeping I’ve learned that to much of anything can kill, I understand that a lot of people say “copper kills shrimp!” Which it does but only at higher levels (~0.07 PPM for Caridina). But this media has things listed that I have no idea about, for instance... Lithium, Silver, Aluminum, Silicon. If anyone has any insight on even the smallest bit I would be glad to hear back and I’m sure this post will come in handy to the next person that runs across it.

Hi, i have a 20g long tank and have a swisstropicals HMF filter on it. i haven't set up the tank yet(checking to see if its good, bought it used) and i will have to also get an air pump for the filter. I was planning on getting this one : but noticed the air pump is kinda weak. I dont know the requirements for an HMF filter but is this strong enough? it will be for my future shrimp and possibly some celestial pearl danios or chili rasboras but i'm worried that the air wont even be strong enough to lift the water up the tube. any help would be greatly appreciated.

The gist of conversations I've had over the last few months with several people (some very recently): Person: I just got my shrimp a week ago, and they are dying. Me: How long have you had your tank set up? Person: [Answer ranging from one week to one month.] Me: Okay. How did you cycle your tank and what do you have in it? Person: I have this and that in the tank, and I left the filter on for [a week-a month] so I don't know what's going on. Me: Okay, but how did you cycle it? Person: I put bacteria in and left the filter on. [some didn't add bacteria and just had the filter on.] Me: Did you add some source of ammonia? Person: Yes. I put in the bacteria. Me: No, did you put in ammonia with the bacteria? Like fish food or a piece of shrimp or fish or ammonium chloride? Person: No. I just put in bacteria. Me: Test your water and let me know how your test goes. Person: I have an ammonia spike.... How do I have an ammonia spike? The filter's been on. [some people don't have test kits, so their response is, "I don't have a test kit. I don't know."] Me: Well, let me tell you a little bit about cycling. =) I was the exact same way when I first started. I had no idea what cycling was or how important it was and thought that if you put the bacteria in and just let the filter run, everything would be a-okay. Well, everything's not a-okay if you've got shrimp dying left and right from ammonia poisoning. So I'll just leave this here... =) **Please note that this is a tutorial on how to cycle a tank from scratch. It goes much faster if you use an already seeded filter/substrate, but many people starting out do not have this available. Also, some people prefer a fish-in cycle. I am not one of those people. =)