Perfect substrate?

[jacob_denmark]

Hey folks,

I'm changing my aquarium from fish one to shrimp one. I've already got plants, Java moss and little stones as a gravel. On most pictures of aquariums accommodating shrimps of any kind I saw gravel which looks like special made for them. My question is, is it necessary for shrimp to survive or is it boosting their quality of living?

Thanks in advance,

Jacob

[shrimpfreak]

It depends on what shrimp you are keeping for most neocardinas plain sand is fine for them. However if you plan on keeping cardinas an active substrate to buffer the ph is needed

[jacob_denmark]

I'm choosing between Blue Carbon Rili or Red Cherry shrimp, if possible, I wouldn't mind both in the same aquarium, do you have some experiences with their interaction between each other?

[shrimpfreak]

Hi what ph is your water? Those shrimp cannot live in the same tank because they will interbreed and produce brown offspring. Sounds like you have a reason to get another tank!

[jacob_denmark]

The water PH is around 8. My roomate got 160L of saltwater aquarium and I 60L of freshwater so I guess 2 aquariums are enough for now

[shrimpfreak]

Lol so if you want to keep both I might suggest dividing the tank if you really want both? As far as PH some driftwood Indian almond leaves and alder cones could bring the ph down to where neocardinas would prefer it ( 7.5 )

[jacob_denmark]

No, I don't need both necessarily just thought that it could be more alive already got drift wood in it

[shrimpfreak]

Great sounds like your on your way.

[RyeGuy411]

Neocaridina or Caridina dont require specific types of substrate.  Special substrate is often used for Caridina for its buffering capability but is deffinitely not required.  For all shrimp one thing to consider is the fact that their primary food intake is from grazing.  Shrimp sands and other special substrates are very porous and provide a large surface area for bacteria to develop that the shrimp will graze from.  If you are only keeping Neos the substrate really does not make much of a difference.

[countryboy12484]

I will say this about a gravel substrate, my oebt tank has small pebbles for a substrate, i find that the food will end up getting trapped in the gravel so a feeding basket is a must in that tank. Just something for you to consider.

[Crazyfishlady]

  am too new to give advice, so just chiming in... My neo tank is 7.6 ph even with wood, IAL and a ton of plants but the neos are doing great. My substrate is floramax (cheap enough but good for the plants - so I have been lead to believe to separate me and my money ) and I have some decorative black gravel sprinkled on top, just because.

 

And FYI - about the '2 is enough tanks' I will warn you, soon every spare 'spot', every nook and cranny ... will suddenly seem like the perfect place for a nano tank  

[jacob_denmark]

Crazyfishlady,

You were already right that 2 tanks will not be soon enough I already set up one 15L tank for another shrimps before I clean out and prepare the 60L one..

[TheGardenofEder]

Ive run out of space for my tanks. I need to rip down a wall and build a rack here soon.

[chibikaie]

I have plans for two tanks in place (need to wait for my coworker to come back from vacation so I can stop working 6 days a week) and yet I find myself arguing that I could totally fit more tanks into my room if I could just rearrange things a bit more.