Well, it's been a while since I've posted here and a lot has happened!
I redid the tank. I've been working to correct parameters and finally purchased a TDS meter. I think my water change habits were causing unnecessary stress on my shrimp, so I'm starting to travel towards a better method.
I've had some recent deaths, thought it was bacterial but now leaning towards stress and molting issues. I'm lowering my GH slowly to 6 from 11 (I don't know why I brought it up this high?) After lowering i
Installed the planted+ today! And tried to make a DIY cover with bird fencing and I don't really like it. I'm probably going to go coverless honestly. It seems so many people do fine without them.
No deaths since I added the baking soda for kH boost! Hopefully that solved the issue.
Pictures of my saddled female:
as you can see, I'm a pro photographer (not)
First water change using additives. During a 10-20% water change, I added a small amount of baking soda into the water to be added and as it turns out the kH matched (2-3) and the pH did as well (7.4) The only thing that went down was the gH, so I added 1/4 tsp to bring it up one (from 6 to 7)
Successful? I think so. Will watch for the next few days, but I'm feeling good. Stability will help my little guys I hope. I don't want to lose any more.
One female has developed a nice stripe and a sadd
Killed the hydra but lost two shrimp. However, my water parameters are finally where I want them to be. My only issue was high nitrate, which resolved once I cleaned my filters/media! Shrimp seem more active as well. I think I have at least one adult female. Hoping some of the juvies will be male!
Found some hydra today. Greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. I have fenbendazole on hand so I went ahead and added about 100 mg to my tank. When I say 100 mg, I mean i took a small scoop hoping it was about half of the 250 mg packet :| Will keep progress updated
Things are going okay. I had a successful molt overnight!
I have really high nitrates, so I came to the conclusion that it was my filter media. I did a 50% water change and rinsed my filter media.
I want to do daily changes until I get my nitrates into a good range but I worry about remineralizing every day. Once things are in shape I won't have to anymore, but still.
day two of having the shrimp in their new home! Found two dead this morning, not sure why, but I'm leaning towards molt issue for at least one? My gH was 5, so borderling. I added booster to hopefully get it to about 7-8. Could also be shipping stress, new tank, who knows. I'm gunna keep an eye to see if actually becomes a problem.
Some pictures (they are gaining color!)
My shrimp have arrived. I can't believe they made it after two extra days in transit! They are all sizes, so I have no idea how many there are. I only found one dead from shipment. So, I'm happy! Let's hope I don't kill them now that shipping didn't :|
Pictures:
Flipped the tank around because the HOB was blowing floaters into the sponge filter when it was on the right.
I moved the anacharis to the front corner. It's a good spot for it to grow tall because the cover and new cover will block the top well. Shrimp can climb the ladder and not commit suicide!
Amano wants me to stop invading his home now, so I will ... for now.
IN OTHER NEWS: Cherries will be here thursday!
