5 Gallon Shrimp Only Tank

[emmanuelchavez]

After today, this may not get some updates for several weeks... I've only got the tank, which is the same one i tore down just a couple of weeks ago... and now have to re-cycle, but eh, i've go the time. I'm waiting on a refund check from this trip I went to during spring break (an optional part of the trip was cancelled, so i get money back, woo!).

Once I get that money - or if payday, my birthday, and that stimulus check, come in first, I'll be getting some Eco-Complete for substrate. A LFS had 2 bags of the stuff last time I was there, so hopefully it's still there when I get some cash.

Then I'll be getting a piece of driftwood for the center. I'll probably tie some java moss on it... or some type of moss to give it a "weeping willow" kind of look.

I'll also be getting some mesh for the background. I'll be doing a java moss wall.

I'm going to see what type of rock I can find to put in here too. I was going to use it to separate where the foreground and midground plants would be... I may go with some of that utah rainbow sandstone, or maybe some jasper, or any other type of rock that'll stand out between all the green.

So:

Java Moss Wall
Driftwood Piece in the center, with some type of plant tied to it (suggestions?).
Two or so pieces of rock to separate foreground from midground and background plants.


I was thinking of using Dwarf Hairgrass for midground, and Glossostigma for the foreground. Maybe some val in the background.


As far as livestock, I was thinking of getting some Red Cherry Shrimp. Hopefully these guys will breed to the level where I could propagate some into my other tanks . Hehe, and maybe regain some of the money I've been putting into this addicting hobby.


Anywho, Ideas are greatly welcomed!


EDIT: This will have a DIY CO2 system, and I'll be upgrading the 13 watt bulb to a 15 watt bulb, giving me 3 wpg.

[Helena21]

Sounds like a good plan. It should look nice
I just set up a cherry shirmp breeding tank. Its a 7gal with about 12 shrimp. Can't wait until they start breeding!

[Orion]

Just FYI- seachem makes some flourite sand that you might want to look into as well. A full bag would be way to much for that tank, but for something like hairgrass, it will grow in much nicer. And personally I always go for sand over gravel. It only comes in black that I know of, but with red cherries, it would show them off nice.

I think you've got some good idea's!

[jen0910]

That is my shrimp tank now. Things are a little more grown in (especially the java moss). But I like the idea of wood in the center.

Just a warning in case you didn't know: shrimp are very sensitive to copper and some ferts have copper in them.

[MOsborne05]

Sounds like a good plan, but you aren't going to make any money off of cherries. People have to practically give them away on The Planted Tank - Articles, Forums, Pictures, Links. You might be able to sell them to some locals, or maybe even a lfs but you are going to run out of buyers really soon. I think you'd be better off spending a little more off the get go, and getting a colony of yellow shrimp instead. They are very hardy, like the cherries, but they are in much more demand. You would spend a little more to get your initial breeding colony going, but it would be a lot more profitable in the long run. I just started a breeding tank of yellows, and I spent about $50 shipped for my initial 12 adult yellows. I recently purchased 10 (got 13) juvies for $30 to add to my colony.

[emmanuelchavez]

Yeah, I started reading about the yellows. I'll probably set up my other 5 gallon as another shrimp only tank. One red cherries, the other yellows.

[emmanuelchavez]

Originally Posted by jen0910

That is my shrimp tank now. Things are a little more grown in (especially the java moss). But I like the idea of wood in the center.

Just a warning in case you didn't know: shrimp are very sensitive to copper and some ferts have copper in them.

I like your tank, especially the banana plant! I hope my 2 plants get to look like that.

I just saw that my seachem flourish contains .0001% Cu. I guess it's a good thing you said something about it. I'm not sure how to go about to get good growth.... dry ferts maybe?


In the future, I may convert my other 5 gallon into another shrimp only tank. One yellow shrimp, the other cherries.

[Orion]

I used Flourish Excel once a week in a 5 gallon tank dosed as directed with no bad effects. But yes, I have heard of people who deliberately overdose excel harming shrimp by accident. But in the same breath, I've heard people does up to 2x the normal amount and be ok. Just keep up on WC's as to not let anything build up over time. Dry ferts are always good too.

You guys are killing me with all this shrimp talk. I've got a 2.5 gallon that just begs for some shrimp!

[MOsborne05]

Originally Posted by Orion

You guys are killing me with all this shrimp talk. I've got a 2.5 gallon that just begs for some shrimp!

LOL, I've got three tanks set up right now. One with cherries and spixi snails, one with yellows, and one with 6 endlers, which are the only fish I have! And I've got a 29 gallon that I'm getting ready to start up for some dwarf orange crays! Inverts are just fascinating to watch

[emmanuelchavez]

LOL. So I made up my mind about getting another tank - probably 40 gl so I can shuffle some fish around, and convert the other 5 gl to shrimp only. And since it's already cycled, I won't have to wait a long time to stock!


With as many aquariums as I have/will have set up in my room, I could charge people an entrance fee.