lamchops Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I've gone from monster fish to planted tanks now I want to start a shrimp tank going to get the ball rolling in about a month but need some feedback on care of the shrimp ADA 60F Substrate - ADA Amazonia Plant - Carpeting with UG (Utricularia graminifolia) Filter - eheim 2211 with glass lily pipes Lighting - Finnex Fugeray the only thing I wonder is how safe is Seachem Excel. I've asked some shrimp people and they said to not use ferts as much as possible including Excel. im trying to steer away from setting up a co2 tank and just hope to use Excel to give my plants some co2. what are you thoughts on Excel and what other alternative do I have to give my plants co2 besides setting up a co2 tank. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pika Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Welcome! Do a search and you should find a couple threads on Excel and ferts with shrimp. It can be a contentious debate... Although we're pretty laid back and good at civil discussion around here, thanks be. For my part, I do use Excel in my shrimp (Neocaridina) tank and they do fine with it. I'm still tinkering with the fertilizers... Used very low doses of K+, phosphate, traces. Never supplemented nitrates because shrimp hate those and I wasn't sure I would never be overdosing. CO2 is scary in a shrimp tank, since they can be so sensitive. I don't know of many that do it. Maybe a better idea is to make sure your shrimp tank plant choices can all thrive without fertilizers and CO2! Low tech and easy care... Shrimp all love mosses anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamchops Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 yea I was planning on doing like a moss tree for the shrimps but for the foreground of the bottom I wanted to have some sort of carpet plant. im not to set on using UG yet, still searching for ideas and options at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishprinceofca Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Welcome! I use half dose of Excel on my 20 gallon long, planted with dwarf hairgrass, and frogbit floating at top. No ill effects to my shrimp. Initially ran CO2 24/7 at 1 bubble per 5 seconds, but shrimp seemed less active. I might try it again once my carpet is more established, but for now, Excel at half dose is working fine. Like Pika, I only do small amounts of ferts. 1 ml of Seachem potassium, and 1 pump of ADA Green Brighty Step 3 (leftover bottle from my planted community tank), every 2-3 days. I also placed some Flourish root tabs under the soil when I set up the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie1208 Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 I use both flourish and excel (though lighter than recommended) and have had no problems whatsoever. Breeding like bunnies[emoji195]! [emoji57] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DETAquarium Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Welcome! Looks like you have the basic products needed for success. I never use any excel or fertilizers in my shrimp tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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