Differnt GH up product, different TDS/GH question

[bonsai]

Hi All! I have started a couple of shrimp tanks with CRS/CBS/Snow Whites and TB in the other using re-mineralized RO water. I used Fluval mineral supplement and found that with a TDS of 130ppm, I had a GH of 4, which I thought was perfect. I have just switched to Salty bee shrimp GH+ and have noticed that at 85ppm, I have a GH of 5. Should I be aiming for TDS or GH??? Lots of people use the Salty product, so what do you do to balance your water?

[ineke]

Generally GH should be between 4-6 and TDS 100-150 . If your GH is not right then you will have moulting issues. TDS can be more variable although 85 seems a bit too low. Once you have your GH and TDS. Where you want them then stability is the key. Shrimp don't like sudden changes so always try to keep the water changes as close to the water in the tank as possible.

Edited September 29, 2014 by ineke

[bonsai]

Thanks for the reply ineke.

 

My concern was that with the salty product, my TDS would be at the bottom of the acceptable range, and the GH would be at the top and that would not give much leeway for evaporation.. I have since found the correct search keywords to find my answer.

 

People on other forums are saying to make a mix with the TDS between 100-120. This will give me a GH of about 6. And after reading this thread...

 

http://shrimpkeepersforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/5436-salty-shrimp-gh/

 

it all started to make sense. Over time, the TDS will rise, if you keep aiming for a GH of 6. So it all stays within the correct range.

 

Thanks again!

[ineke]

When I do my water changes I check my TDS in the tank first then if it has risen I adjust the new water lower so that I end up with the corrrect TDS. So if I test the water and it is 160 instead of my required 150 I would add slightly lower amount of salty shrimp to get a TDS of about 140 in the new water.

I only do water  tests monthly  now as my tanks are stable -unless I notice a change in the shrimp then it's water test and water change. I still do weekly water changes but recently had to be away from my shrimp for 7 weeks and only had someone come in and top up with pure RO water. The shrimp not only survived but thrived with an explosion of babies and berried girls. This reinforces that stability is key in all things shrimp and if I could just cut back on my feeding habits I probably wouldn't do weekly water changes probably fortnightly or even less but I am a heavy feeder so water changes are needed 

[bonsai]

Yes, I've heard less fiddling the better!

 

So, if you aim for a TDS of 150, what GH do your tanks run at? I presume you are also using salty shrimp gh+.

[ineke]

My tanks all sit at GH 6 and yes I use salty shrimp GH +. My TDS hovers around 150 . I have 10 x 24" tanks and 1 aqua one 980 . I keep my Cherries in the same water parameters as my Crystals etc and was using Benibachi soil for the Crystals and Fluval for the Cherries but am in the process of changing them over to Elos except the 980 - then I can double up if I need to but I'm hoping that wont be necessary.

The Cherries have adapted well and are breeding constantly so it makes for much easier shrimp keeping .

[Shrimpy Daddy]

Hi All! I have started a couple of shrimp tanks with CRS/CBS/Snow Whites and TB in the other using re-mineralized RO water. I used Fluval mineral supplement and found that with a TDS of 130ppm, I had a GH of 4, which I thought was perfect. I have just switched to Salty bee shrimp GH+ and have noticed that at 85ppm, I have a GH of 5. Should I be aiming for TDS or GH??? Lots of people use the Salty product, so what do you do to balance your water?

 

I keep most of my sensitive Taiwan Bee shrimps in TDS ranging from 250 to 350 and they are doing great. 

 

GH is more important than TDS. To be exact, it is the individual nutrient levels in the water. For example, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Sr, SO4, PO4, Cl, MoO4 and BO4. GH is a easier and cheaper method of measuring the meso minerals (Ca & Mg), however, it will not tell you the exact level of the rest of the nutrients. 

 

If you are using RO replenishing minerals from respectable brands, be it it is for fish or "specialised" for shrimps, they should be more or less the same. The lesser the TDS the salts, the less substances are inside. In theory, it will be even more lacking in those nutrients I mentioned above. Most commercial salts are in the TDS race against each other. They accomplished this by using salts that has lesser free electrons, such as chloride. In actual fact, TDS does not tell you anything, except how conductive the water is. Generally, field scientist or I only used it to measure the changes to the amount of dissolved solid to detect overdosing, changes to ecosystem or pollution. The absolute value is pretty meaningless. As such, don't get too obsess with TDS. With frequent water change, your tank water's TDS should remain the stable from 1 month after you start up your tank till 5 years later.

 

One thing to take note about GH. The lower the pH, the higher the GH you will need; the acid will soften and wear out the shell faster. For example, you may need 6dGH for pH 5.8 water and you may only need 4dGH for pH 7.4 water. 

 

Shrimp needs stable water parameters instead of the water parameters of other's tank. Hence, if the salts you are using are working fine with your shrimps, then just continue using it and avoid changes. If you are intending to change anything major, it is better you use it in a new tank.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Shrimpy Daddy

[bonsai]

 

One thing to take note about GH. The lower the pH, the higher the GH you will need; the acid will soften and wear out the shell faster. For example, you may need 6dGH for pH 5.8 water and you may only need 4dGH for pH 7.4 water. 

 

 

Thanks for the detailed response. Best piece of info I've read in a long time!

[Shrimpy Daddy]

You are welcome. :)

[jayc]

If you are using RO replenishing minerals from respectable brands, be it it is for fish or "specialised" for shrimps, they should be more or less the same. The lesser the TDS the salts, the less substances are inside. In theory, it will be even more lacking in those nutrients I mentioned above. Most commercial salts are in the TDS race against each other. They accomplished this by using salts that has lesser free electrons, such as chloride. 

 

That's why I make my own RO remineralising solution. I know what goes in it, and it's sooo much cheaper.

[Shrimpy Daddy]

That's why I make my own RO remineralising solution. I know what goes in it, and it's sooo much cheaper.

 

Same for me. This is why i started developing the entire line of shrimp products. ;)

[Disciple]

do you guys sell your products?

[Shrimpy Daddy]

do you guys sell your products?

 

Not for now but maybe in near future. For the past two years, I will have been shipping my products to my friends all around the world. In this way, I could obtain feedbacks to perfect them.