Three RCS dead. Confused; seems to be molting issue? Please advise.

[Mamashack]

I agree re stability being important. I have noticed this as well and my research suggests as much too. I have gottwn away without doing WC for as long as 5 months! parameters can be very wide ranging though they are tough!!!

Yes they are tough in a stable tank, but if the parameters are fluctuating every few days they will be feeling stressed and likely to get all sorts of problems. 

[revolutionhope]

agreed. only time ive had one die prematurely was once while trying to change out water to reduce tds down from 450+ and another time when I had equipment fail and had oxygenation problems! most fish ive kept were nowhere near as tough as my rcs

[GotCrabs]

Certainly can't say we don't take time to explain things.

 

This is exactly why I tell new comers that this place is completely different to other forums, people are friendly, willing to explain anything to you and no question is stupid.

[steffiev]

I realise this may not be a popular response, but they aren't "just RCS" with no particular preference for water parameters. Yes they can adapt to most parameters as they are the most adaptable of the shrimp we keep, BUT once they are acclimated to a particular environment they need stability. I personally feel that the water changes are somewhat excessive at 30% every 5 days and could be causing stress due to disturbance and change in parameters. 10% weekly is a more realistic regime to promote stability. (I actually do 15% monthly and top up with RO water every couple of days) I aim for 240-250 TDS, GH 7+ but no higher than 9 to avoid moulting issues, pH 7.8, temp under 20 C to avoid issues with bacterial infections, KH 2-3, for pH stability, and nitrates <10 ppm.

If your nitrates are prompting the WC then I would suggest that you are perhaps feeding them too much. They are very good grazers and in a mature tank they will feed off biofilm and any leaf litter unless you have hundreds in there.

 

Don't worry Mamashack, thanks to everyone's advice and explanation, I have changed my water change to 10% weekly and less feeding. :)

Nitrates are now <10ppm, perhaps because my plants are more established now and I feed less. No more deaths so I hope I'm doing things right!

[revolutionhope]

woohoo good news :-)

[Mamashack]

Don't worry Mamashack, thanks to everyone's advice and explanation, I have changed my water change to 10% weekly and less feeding. :)

Nitrates are now <10ppm, perhaps because my plants are more established now and I feed less. No more deaths so I hope I'm doing things right!

Excellent news! Glad you've managed to turn it round, steffiev!