linda.m.amundsen.1 Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 What is your method for doing a water change? I did my first one today and was so paranoid about sucking up a shrimp... In a week I will be changing over to an HM filter (from Swiss Tropicals) it will be nice to puy the end of the siphon hose behind the filter wall. Also, does anyone ever vacuum their gravel? I wouldn't think this would be necessary with a few live plants anf shrimp. However, I am finding that two decades of all fake plants and weekly gravel vacuuming is a hard to mentally overcome. Johnnydok 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 I'll vacuum occasionally, but rarely. You risk stirring up a mini cycle by doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 I've recently developed a whole crazy technique to prevent removing shrimplets during water changes: I use a drinking cup to scoop out water from the surface, and I pour each cupful through a fine net into a larger waste bucket. Every minute or so, I swish the net back into the tank inside out to return any possible tiny shrimplets I may have inadvertently scooped up. I continue this process until I've removed all the water I want to change. linda.m.amundsen.1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 To make double sure, you can also put the waste water in a bucket and gently stir. The shrimp will usually choose to swim against the current and it makes it easier to see them to net them out. However, since I asked Han to make a SS filter for my water siphoning tube, I haven't had a problem. linda.m.amundsen.1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda.m.amundsen.1 Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 I ended up putting a pre filter sponge over my inlet. I also double checked the bucket for shrimps too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 I ended up putting a pre filter sponge over my inlet. I also double checked the bucket for shrimps too. That works. You could also use (clean or new) pantyhose. linda.m.amundsen.1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trotwood Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 I use a rubber band to put a small piece of nylon stocking over the siphon so I won't suck anybody up. I don't often vacuum the gravel but if there's a spot that seems to need it fine particles are able to fit through the stocking. revolutionhope 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolutionhope Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 i know most experienced shrimpkeepers in oz do not vacuum the substrate. it will only disturb the shrimps. they are scavengers so the buildup isn't going to bother them. I've been using pantyhose tied onto syphon with rubberband method for a long time now. but i just syphon above the substrate being very careful not to disturb anything. love n peace will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roborep1 Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Sounds like you have a good handle and that it will be moot in a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julianzh Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 I use a clear air tubing for water changes and double check waste water before dumping it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eozen81 Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 I pump the water from 2 cm above the water surface which is very effective as most shrimps don't walk around in those areas (they mostly walk around on the ground or fly middle occasionally). But again it's to best to check the pumped water in the bucked to make sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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