Shrimptime Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 I am wanting to start a 20 gallon crystal red shrimp tank and have never done it before. I have yellow neos which I started about 2 months ago and they are doing fine. I want to move up to some crystal reds and have a few questions. My ro parameters are: ph 6.8, kh 2-3dkh, gh 3dgh and tds around 67. I plan on lowering my ph with ADA Amazonia substrate. How much will this lower ph? I think my kh is ok and was going to raise my gh with Salty Shrimp GH+. Am I right? Also, this may be a stupid question, but when the substrate is used up, do I basically start a new tank with new substrate? Removing the shrimp and substrate and starting over? How long does substrate last? Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 On 4/21/2016 at 9:23 AM, Shrimptime said: On 4/21/2016 at 9:23 AM, Shrimptime said: . My ro parameters are: ph 6.8, kh 2-3dkh, gh 3dgh and tds around 67. I I don't understand why this is. Your kh should be 0. Your gh should 0. Your tds a lot closer to 0.. Then you reminerlize to whatever you like. Unless I'm not understanding you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimptime Posted April 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Thats what the test showed on my ro water. 3 drops for kh and 3 drops for gh and the ph is 6.8 The water straight out of the tap is ph 7.6 gh 20 drops and kh 16 drops. I'm all new to this just trying to learn as I go. Thanks for your help Bryce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Just raise your gh a point or 2 and your golden. Sounds like you will need new filters. As these will only worsen. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimptime Posted April 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Thanks Bryce. I was wondering since my ph is almost in the range for crystals, could I get by by just using ro water and inert substrate instead of ADA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Unless you really know what your doing, you should use a buffering substrate. ADA, or something like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimptime Posted April 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Sounds good. I'll use the ADA. Thanks for the help Bryce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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