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Keep Ca level around 30 to 40 ppm, dgh 6.. Micromix is sold by Green leaf Aquariums. I use it for my planted aquariums. I will try it at about .25 in my 20 gallon.
- Yesterday
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+1 for the sponge.
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Definitely go the sponge.
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I'm no expert, but 1 does seem a fair bit "chunkier" then the rest. Got a bit of a new problem though. I saw 1 of the shrimp cleaning away near the filter intake grill last night. He did look like he might have just been small enough to slip through. I was thinking of buying some filter sponge to jam behind the grill to stop them getting in.
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Help with disease identification - Rocket Killie and Endler
Crabclaw replied to Crabclaw's topic in Killifish
That’s a cool idea! I would be interested in testing that out as well at some point. Let us know if you try it!- 22 replies
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We don't get the heat you do their but I am planning to get a cooler, a fan when we get to spring if the shrimps do well. I don't know whether that type of cooler is available where you are and it may not be powerful enough anyway. I will just put it on the tank when needed, but thats unlikely to be often here, and so easy to set up. Obviously this isn't any good where you are based but I wanted to show an alternative to the chiller in case that suits? https://www.pro-shrimp.co.uk/aquarium-coolers/3100-jbl-cooler-200-aquarium-cooler-4014162604293.html?search_query=cooler&results=8 Believe me when I say you don't want to go through the heartache of cooked shrimps, I am still gutted 6 months later and the new lot will never be the same???? CO2 and shrimps is very risky and so I wouldn't use it, especially if it isn't needed and everything is ok? Simon
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Shame there aren't more active locals. I don't have one Simon. I've thought to buy one multiple times. A couple of reasons why I didn't: 1. CRS survived last summer. Tank got to 27-28 degrees some days when we weren't home and I never had any deaths. Not saying it won't happen in the future, but they appear to be hardier than I first thought. 2. My other half isn't keen on another canister filter to run a chiller, fearing leaks. Don't ask lol. I would've bought another Eheim 2213. I have one on my 30C and its perfect. On another note, I just bought a CO2Art Pro-SE regulator. Planning on running CO2 on the 30C. Still need to get a gas cylinder. I have limited cabinet space so I have to work out what will fit as I want the biggest cylinder I can get. I also need to figure out if I run an inline reactor or diffuser in the tank. Any suggestions? I believe inline is the most efficient, but I don't know of any drawbacks. Lizzy
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Great news and hopefully you SHOULD be ok as you have at least got the tank/water sorted before getting the shrimps! There are a lot of jaw dropping aquascapes out there on youtube but as you have said it is so much more interesting to see movement/life in the tanks? Even in small quantities, it just adds so much more? The shrimps may well moult due to the changes in the water so don't panic if you see a 'Ghost' or 2! Were the shrimps big enough that you can tell whether they are male or female? Also they may hide more than you expect, until they are 'comfortable' with their new home. Simon
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Help with disease identification - Rocket Killie and Endler
sdlTBfanUK replied to Crabclaw's topic in Killifish
When I used TAP water for my Betta the JBL soil I used (may not be available where you are though) exhausted its PH buffering in about 3 months, if that is any help - didn't take long! Incidentally, has anyone ever tried exhausting a soil substrate buffering by adding PH plus, before adding any occupants, I am assuming that will speed up the process. I may get some and give it a go as an experiment? next time I do an order????? Simon- 22 replies
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I know winter is a way off your end, you lucky lot! Do you have a chiller Lizzy, you don't want to risk all those beautiful CRS if it gets too hot, especially as they are near the window - been there, sort of!!! Simon
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What is your Calcium level? Got a link to the product? Trace elements are only needed in minute amounts, hence the name. 3 times a week dose is way too much even without looking at the product. Then it asks you to throw it out with a 50% water change. Might as well dose it 1/3 the amount fortnightly without a special water change and just do your regular water change.
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It is possible that the female is nearly ready for the shrimplets to hatch and that is why she hides more than normal, as she would want them to be somewhere protected? I had hair algae with my newly set up tank and so I appreciate how horrible that looks but it cleared up in time and has completely gone now! I am assuming it was part of the tank 'settling' down. I haven't had that before so also assume it had to do with the different soil substrate I used this time? I didn't do anything, it has just cleared up. Simon
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I'm sure there are, or at least there used to be heaps in NSW. They have gone dormant now.
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Ironically, the babies don't seem to hang out on the back glass much. Its mostly the adults. The very new babies seem to LOVE the mini bolbitis. That's where I see most of them until they're big enough and start exploring the rest of the tank. I don't really care about it being ugly haha. I have the 30C to satisfy my need for a "nice" aquascape. Cheers jayc. I'll definitely keep you in mind when I decide to reduce shrimp numbers! I'll just wait a bit to see what colours and patterns I end up with. Just noticed you're in Sydney. I wonder if there are many other NSW CRS keepers on this forum?
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Help with disease identification - Rocket Killie and Endler
Crabclaw replied to Crabclaw's topic in Killifish
It was a ‘black diamond quartz gravel’ from someone on gumtree, that turned grey... eww. I have about 4cm of it in the bottom of my 110 L. Forgot to mention, I’m fine to switch to sand or soil if u think that would be better. (Maybe from my bn’s point of view). I’ll check those two out. Thanks jayc!- 22 replies
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I have figured out how to use the conversion chart. It gives the mg level once you put your Ca and gh levels in. I was just curious on what a good mg level would be if I'm trying to achieve a 4 : 1 ca to mg level. Also would like to know if I can use micromix trace elements. It only give dose for planted tanks. Dose is .5 ml to 10 gallons 3 times a week then 50% water change. I only make about a 25% change weekly. It shows a .1% copper content is it safe and if so how often would you recommend adding it to the aquarium. Thanks for any help. Dave B.
- Last week
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Help with disease identification - Rocket Killie and Endler
jayc replied to Crabclaw's topic in Killifish
What sort of gravel do you have now? What about 'Pisces Black diamond gravel'? I hear they are good. Also 'AquaLava by Oliver Knott' should be inert since it's scoria rocks.- 22 replies
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Thanks 😉 Yup, they were caught in a brackish spot, but they do afford fresh water with no problems.
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Wow! Absolutely unique fish @Matuva. These are fresh water ya?
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LOL, who's looking at the tank? Look at all those CRS!! Good work Lizzy. I'm so glad the RO system has paid off for you. If you have surplus and want to part with some, let me know. I sold off my CRS a few months ago, and seeing your tank makes me want to get them again. Lizzy is in Newcastle Australia, not Newcastle UK. We are heading into Summer, officially Spring at the moment, but we will be seeing temps of 34C this Friday.
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Help with disease identification - Rocket Killie and Endler
Crabclaw replied to Crabclaw's topic in Killifish
Update: Have determined that the KH issue is with the gravel, so will change it next weekend. I don’t know what to switch it out for though... I would consider a shrimp substrate, except they usually are intended to buffer the water, and my tap water is perfect for everything I have in the tank already, so I need a neutral substrate. Would prefer full black or brown substrate, but of course the first priority is it’s neutrality and safety. (Just remembered I have plants with roots in the tank, so maybe a planted tank substrate...?) Any ideas on substrate or a good way to replace the substrate would be great! Cheers!- 22 replies
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Here we are: nicknamed Noodle, Noo-boy and Noo-girl, the 3 Microphis cruentus Juliet, the Microphis brachyurus female Juliet and her Romeo, Noo-girl at the bottom Noodle, the first Microphis cruentus she caught, the smaller one (younger probably)
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Update: Tank is doing OK. No more loses. My female is still berried, but she seems to be hiding in the same place most of the day. She comes out for food, but stays in the same spot. I’m having some hair algae growth, mostly in the moss, but some elsewhere as well. Not sure why, but it’s irritating for sure.
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Put them into the tank over 2 hours ago. Turned the light on quickly to have a look, no visible corpses and they seem to be enjoying themselves picking away at the wood. Fingers crossed, no major diasters yet. I know I shouldn't have, but I tipped them in, along with the water when I was acclimitising them in. Was bloody hard to net them in the bottom of the bucket. Edit - Even in the dark, its great to final see some life in the tank 😀
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You're fine as you are, you want some KH! You can slowly reduce the TDS by topping up the tank with just RO water, it is ok at 252 but that is pretty much regarded as the upper level (150-250). From here in you don't need to do ALL the tests every time just use the TDS when preparing new water and I would aim for about 200-220 when mixing new water as that way you have quite a margin for inaccuracy as it will probably be difficult to get it spot on anyway with the powder GH/KH+. As you are using the salty shrimp mineraliser that means the GH will tie in with the TDS anyway. Probably do fortnightly set of tests for the first few months just so you can be sure all is well? I'll keep my fingers crossed it is all plain sailing now! Enjoy watching your new shrimps and snails. Simon Edit - suddenly realised what I wrote! YOU SHOULD ALWAYS top up with RO water as evaporated water leaves everything in the tank water anyway. To get the TDS down you can mix the new water to TDS 200-220 when you do a water change, or even use just RO water for the water change if it is very small and dripped into the tank!
