Shrimp sand vs gravel

[bailey88]

Other than the obvious of helping buffer the ph and price differance what are the pros and cons to both because I have noticed the more and more i get into this hobby everyone seems to be using shrimp sand where as I just use gravel I don't seem to have any dramas with using gravel... Also what else can be used to buffer ph preferably natural remedies not too keen on dosing my tanks with chemicals up until now I have only ever used driftwood cheets brendon

[Sprae]

It's largely depending on your water source. If it's hard and pH is high, then buffering it will be difficult. You can soften your water with Indian Almond leaves which may lower pH around 0.5 to 1.

I had gravel when I first started, and it was just too much work trying to keep a stable pH and stability is the key in shrimp keeping. After resetting the tank with benibachi soil, I've had nothing but stable pH of 5.8-6.0

[bailey88]

Yeah already on to the IAL's found them when i first started keeping shrimp bout a yr ago water doesn't seem to be too bad here in mackay Ive heard of peat moss to assist in the buffering process .. I must be doing something right tho because I don't get any ph spikes nor ammonia nitrites and nitrates

[Triggs]

I think it really depends on the type of shrimp you keep. I've had Cherries with gravel and had no problems at all, but with more sensitive species I think the gravel is better as it will maintain better parameters and keep them more stable.

And I mean, c'mon. Shrimp Sand just looks so cool and pro ? lol

[pappyy3]

I'm sure there are pros and cons for using either inert gravel or the shrimp soils.

I keep Cherries and CRS and prefer to use inert gravels (Just personal preferance).

* Both shrimp species are breeding extremely well

* My water is PH 7 straight from the tap, and I've never had problems maintaining stable water conditions

[Heavyd]

I think if your pH is higher from the tap like mine is (7.8pH), then shrimp specific substrate helps. Cherry shrimp thrive with inert gravel, but I think you will find CRS/CBS and the rarer varieties like softer acidic water.

[Loach]

I have my cherries with sand/gravel and they are doing great! Cherries thrive better in PH of 7+ so the Shrimp substrates are not so good for them buffering wise. Though, the shrimp substrates have alot of surface area which is a mini feeding ground for the shrimps.

CRS and similar are probably better off with a shrimp substrate. Especially if your water is higher than PH 7.

[lachie1998]

i think shrimp soil just looks real nice LOL:triumphant:

[Loach]

i think shrimp soil just looks real nice LOL:triumphant:

Agreed! Especially the ADA soils. Look so natural :)

[bailey88]

Thanks for all your replies guys another quick question though how often does the sand need to be replaced

[Loach]

Just vacuum it. Replacing it is 100% pointless.

[bailey88]

Oh ok then I guess I was told something wrong then I was told that shrimp sand needed t be replaced every 6 months ???

[Loach]

Oh, shrimp sand. I thought you meant plain sand. dont vacuum the shrimp sand. Replace it if it starts breaking down or loses bufferring capacity. Though if it stops buffering, you can get fulvic grains.

http://www.bossaquaria.com.au/benibachi-fulvic-grain-30g/

[bailey88]

Ok that makes sense to me now thanks for clearing that up loach think I'm going to get shrimp sand for my new set-ups what's some good links for shrimp substrates other then boss aquaria I'd like to see what's out there first before making a final descison unless someone tells me what's best lol

[Loach]

Bossaquaria should be selling ADA Aquasoils very soon aswell. Just with the aquasoils, you need to cycle them as they create a huge Ammonia spike. The spike is notvas bad with aquasoil malaya & africana but amazonia goes crazy! Benibachi should have a tiny little spike but is just like shrimpsand if not better :)

[bailey88]

I'll have to see if Any of the 3 LFS here stock any of this I haven't ever seen any ada only the fluval shrimp sand we are a bit behind in this town

[Triggs]

I've been running Up Aqua shrimp sand for 9 months or so now and it's still very solid and buffering perfectly. No signs of breakdowns or any ill effects at all. Still works and looks as well as the day I put it in.

You can get it on eBay or from online stores. Exotic Aquatic may be able to ship it to you also.