My Crystal Black Shrimp Colony

[BlueBolts]

Been Selective Breeding CBS, and over the last 2-3 generations, no SW has appeared, so hopefully on my way towards PBL :onthego:

Whilst taking these pics, I noticed that the shell thickness/white, wasn't great, and tested the tank's GH, which was ONLY 3.

Boosted the GH to 5, and shrimps are presenting much better..... Pic of berried Girl

[Heavyd]

Those shrimp look excellent. Well done on the selective breeding, it shows.

[matblack]

Looking Good BB nice looking Girl

[ineke]

Nice shrimp BB:encouragement:

[blackcat]

Wow maybe one day I can aspire to that eh :-) in a few eons perhaps

[shrimpstan]

Sexy ;)

[JPN07]

Awesome quality as always BB :encouragement:

[Squiggle]

Simply stunning BB, you never fail to impress, thanks for sharing :victorious:

[jayc]

tested the tank's GH' date=' which was ONLY 3.

Boosted the GH to 5, and shrimps are presenting much better

[/quote']

What are you boosting GH with BB?

[BlueBolts]

I generally use CaS04..

[KillieOrCory]

Nice shrimpses! :applause:

[newbreed]

Great CBS Marcus. The ones you sold to me last month are doing real well! Can't wait to see a berried one soon!! :)

[HexaD]

Must aspire myself to reach at least 50% of that whiteness before venturing into TBs! Very inspiring, amazing!

[jayc]

I generally use CaS04..

Do you think Magnesium sulphate MgSO4 (epsom salts) would be okay to raise GH (shrimp health)?

Only cause I already have it.

[BlueBolts]

Yes, Magnesium is the other component that raised GH, BUT you got to get the ratio right, as too much Mg will kill shrimps. A ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 (i.e. Calcium : Magnesium) is generally the best for shrimps, and most fish/planted tanks.

Formula to calculate Mg & Ratio

1. Get your GH Value (dGH)

2. Get your Ca Value (ppm)

3. Mg = ((GH*17.86) - (Ca*2.5)) /4.1

i.e.

1. If GH is 4 dKH

2. If Ca is 20 ppm

3. Mg = ((4 x 17.86) - (15 x 2.5)) / 4.1 = 5.23

Therefore - Ca:Mg is 20:5.23, approx. 3.8:1

For those interested .... :sleeping:.....LOL

[BlueBolts]

I posted a thread in "Water Parameters" further explaining the Ca:Mg ratio .... didn't want to hijack my own thread :-)

[Squiggle]

Hahaha, nice one BB :encouragement:

[blackcat]

Gorgeous shrimp wow .... Now what the hell do u do for a crust ? Mathematician ? Geneticist ,?