Useing minerals?

[phil]

Hey guys ive not had my tank very long. Only a 40ltr tank. When i set up my lfs gave me ro water to use etc and did not say anything about useing or putting minerals in. As ive been looking more into things its sounds like when you use ro water u need to use minerals. Is this correct? Ive come across Beta-G and black powder? Are these any good? And of use? As i live in the uk my lfs do not store these bt i could order online if i do require them? Any advice would be amazing. Ps sorry for my awful spelling! :)

[petfish]

yes you need to add mineral's to ro and/or rainwater, an absolute must for the health and moulting of your shrimp, google... benabachi products for shrimp.

[ineke]

Phil there are heaps of online shops that keep shrimp products in the UK -I used to order most of my things from the UK. Most of us use the Benibachi GH+ for Crystals, TB's etc and there is a Benibachi GH/KH for cherry varieties. As you only have one tank you need to keep it at the right conditions for Crystals -if that is what you are going to have- as the Crystals require more specific water conditions. The Cherry varieties can adjust quite happily to the Crystal water requirements.

Once you get your minerals - and might I suggest a TDS or EC pen to make sure you mix it to the right levels- it would be better to catch out your shrimp , adjust the water in the tank to the right parameters and then reacclimatise your shrimp to the new water conditions. The shrimp are better off with one adjustment rather than adding lots of small amounts of mineral powder- they like stability in their water so this is the safest way to do it.

There are lots of articles on water parameters here on the forum so you can read up about what each type of shrimp variety requires- or just ask once you know what type of shrimp you want to focus on. Due to space restrictions it is quite a normal practice to have Cherry and Crystal varieties in together- just don't mix the cherry varieties because they interbreed so just one colour cherry per tank.

[phil]

Right oki. Ive currently got crs and red rilis? Was thinking of getting more bt wasnt 2 sure on what :) my lfs dosnt have many to chose from bt i have seen some yellow ones.... ive been looking for tbs but they dont sell em :(s. Anyways thanks for the advice.

[Squiggle]

Everything Ineke said is correct, except it Salty Shrimp minerals, not Benibachi! I'm sure it was just a seniors moment, lol.

[ineke]

Hahaha Squiggs yes it was - I thought about it later but you know us seniors can take a while to get around to admitting a mistake!

[phil]

Haha oki ill have a look for salty minerals :)

[phil]

Hey guys would this one be suitable? http://www.freshwatershrimp.co.uk/product.php?id_product=111

[Squiggle]

That's the stuff, but why not get it here in Aus!

http://www.bossaquaria.com.au/saltyshrimp-minerals/

Edited May 24, 2014 by Squiggle

[phil]

Hahaaaa :)

[phil]

Hey guys i have been useing this in my water is it safe and good yer? http://www.evolutionaqua.com/acatalog/PURE_Aquarium.html

[jayc]

I'm sceptical of that product "Pure".

There is absolutely nothing that shows you need to use that product to achieve clean clear water.

Save your money.

I've got crystal clear water, and I don't use products like that.

[phil]

I guess so :) i normally use it in my fish tank and so i fort ide try it in my shrimp tank :) just wondering if it safe thats all :)