2 small rcs dead within 24 hours

[T_Young]

I've had a tank cycling for about 4 weeks, pH was on high side ( investing in ro-di soon). Gh : 0 kH:7 pH 7.4. Water temp 72

I have some subwassertang, Java moss and dwarf hair grass. And after boiling and soaking this piece of Mopani wood, I added it yesterday in hopes of further lowering the pH without the Seachem 7.0 regulator, and Fluval tap conditioner.

I brought home 5 rcs yesterday because I was in the big city where they actually carry them. I'm aware of new tank syndrome and all the other various issues that arise. I admit I'm really bummed out. I wasn't aware that one that he scooped up was in the middle of molting, and he died shortly after the drip acclimation and entrance into the tank. The second one I found this morning. Perhaps my water change didn't help. I'm not Sure, im new to the hobby, but i am currently setting up a rack, and putting some money back for the rodi unit.. Feeling discouraged. I can't keep my pH down, and I wanted to raise shrimp because I love watching them, not to see them dead at the bottom of the tank.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[Grahms]

Im only a novice, but it seems that your kH is really high. If you are going to use tap water, let it age for a like a week aerating in the shade outside....Otherwise get an RO unit and use Salty Shrimp Bee Shrimp Mineral GH+.

[Disciple]

Hello T_Young,

You might need to check your test kit because i am sure you can not have 0 gh when you have 7 kh.

You mentioned that you have cycled your tank for 4 weeks just wondering what is the ammonnia, nitrites and nitrates in your tank atm? What temperature is it currently?

Your ph is fine for rcs i dont think you need to lower it.

What type of substrate are you currently using?

More questions than answers but hopefully we can work it out.

[Grubs]

I assume your water is coming from the aquifer which may explain the high carbonates.  GH 0 is the bigger issue IMO. If that reading is correct then you need to boost your hardness which will add calcium and magnesium to the water.  Calcium in particular is required for moulting.  RCS (Cherry's) are pretty forgiving and you shouldn't need to go down the road of RODI for them KH=7 isn't extreme.  I would first check your hardness test to see if it really is GH=0  (take some water to the LFS if you have access to one and take your kit with you and compare).  Assuming it is GH=0 then some GH booster is in order (Salty Shrimp or just Seachem Equilibrium).    Get the cherry's under your belt first... then consider RODI and shrimp minerals if you decide to keep more exotic shrimp.  Walk... then run...

 

 

That said - if the stock from the LFS wasn't in good condition your deaths could just be transplant shock of unhappy shrimp so don't be too bummed.

[revolutionhope]

gday T

 

im not very experienced compared to most of the regulars here but FWIW i agree with most of what others have said here it is unlikely you would have gh of 0 and kh of 7. You most definitely need to re-check your [pH, gh and kh testing because something is not right with these numbers. if your kh really is 7 and your gh really is 0 then your pH wil not be 7.4 as disciple mentioned. pH of 7.4 is fine, i have always had my cherries at pH 7.4 - 7.6. however as grubs has mentioned gH of zero will definitely mess with your RCS chance of survival. i doubt they could moult in this situation because they need to absorb calcium and magnesium from the water to build their shell.

 

you mentioend something about a water change? depending on how you do the water change then you are right - fluctuations in water conditions are quite detrimental to shrimps.

 

it is absolutely critical that you test your ammonia and nitrite in a new tank. shrimps are very sensitive to nitrogenous waste compared to most beginner fish. if you can tell us about how you source your water and how you prepare/conditioned as well as what is your substrate and what else may be in the tank aside from the mopani wood that will assist people here to pinpoint the issue. temperature of tank might be relevant too although RCS are quite forgiving it is safest to keep them in the mid-low 20s range.

 

hope i've added something helpful to what the others have already told you.

 

love n peace

 

will

[T_Young]

Thanks everyone , been struggling with test readings, still waiting for digital ones to come in. I got out a test strip and from what I understand the levels are GH 0-30 I really couldn't tell the difference between the two level on the strip. KH 160 ph 7.6 nitrite .5 nitrate is now at 20. So I guess spikes in my water parameters. Very frustrating

[T_Young]

Edited May 25, 2015 by T_Young

[T_Young]

This little guy, I can't figure out what's wrong with his shell? I didn't think molting started on the side like that? Did he hurt himself?

[T_Young]

Sorry, the temp is at 76 degrees right now, substrate is black aquarium sand, I have a aquasoil substrate on its way also. I am trying to provide as much info as I can without being hairbrained, apologies. I did dose GH into the tank 2 days ago and it filled the tank with smoky cloud that cleared 5 minutes after doing so, freaked me out because when I was cycling, I don't recall it doing that. Within 12 hours, I found one dead, and then every 12-24 I found another. Now there is 2, and one of themselves shell is messed up. Treated water with Seachem 7.0 regulator, Fluval water conditioner. Ammonia remover. Noticing a white/clear hair algae on dwarf hairgrass.

If I lose them both, I guess I'll need to scrap the tank and start over.

Edited May 25, 2015 by T_Young

[fishmosy]

At this point, treating your water with the list of chemicals you mentioned is probably doing more harm than good. Shrimp are highly sensitive to changes in water parameters. They need stability.

If you want to change your water parameters, do it SLOWLY by mixing new water to your desired levels (pH, GH, KH, ect), then add it SLOWLY to your tank as part of a SMALL water change (max. 10% a week).

Best of luck with your two remaining shrimp.

[Disciple]

Just wondering why you are using ammonia remover?

Are you still having ammonia, nitrites or nitrate showing up? If so your tank may not be fully cycled yet.

[T_Young]

Thanks everyone. I think that's what I did... I panicked and did 2 major water changes and levels spiked.. The shrimp that had the shell I was worried about, he molted. Looks better, hanging out under the Mopani.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Definitely been taking notes.

Edited May 26, 2015 by T_Young