KH : 0?

[Matuva]

Hi there,

browsing a lot on the forum and on the net, I saw many shrimp keepers saying they have their water with a KH at 0... How do they achieve that?

Mine is around 6. Does that mean it's not good for the cantonensis shrimps? Or is it affordable, as long as the water is stable?

[fishmosy]

KH = 0 doesn't necessarily mean that KH is actually zero, it just means it is closer to zero than 1. In practical terms, the KH is likely to be somewhere between 1 and 10ppm.

RO water (or possibly rainwater) is the best option for achieving low KH values.

Your GH values are also likely to be high if your KH is 6. Neither parameter is optimal for C. logemanni (CRS).

 

[Matuva]

My parameters in this tank are:

• No3 & NO2 : 0
• GH : 8°d
• KH : 6°d
• PH : 6.4

Is this ok for CRS?

 

[Disciple]

Hello Matuva,

I found this sticky in the general questions section. http://shrimpkeepersforum.com/forum/topic/1973-shrimp-101/

It shows the ideal water parameter for the CRS is:

PH - 6.4

KH - 0-2

GH - 4-6

TDS - 100-200

Temp - 21-23

It seems your WP seems ok except your GH and KH are a bit high compared to the ideal water parameters.

[Matuva]

Thanks!

It looks like I will need to find some peat moss to lower GH/KH

So Caridina and Neocaridina need the same water specs?

 

[Disciple]

I think for neocaridina I would follow this thread.

Name: Cherry Shrimp(Neocaridina Davidii)

TDS: 100-250

PH: 6.5-7.6

GH: 4-14

KH: 0-10

Temp: 18-24

Also I thought peat moss lowers Ph only.

[jayc]

Peat will lower pH, GH, KH, and TDS.

However, it depends on your water conditions and how much the peat treated water affects these parameters.

[larrymull]

Peat will lower pH, GH, KH, and TDS.

However, it depends on your water conditions and how much the peat treated water affects these parameters.

so @jayc when you add peat you should do it slowly so you don't have a fast swing in parameters, or does the peat release slowly, thus changing water parameters in a more desirable way for the shrimp?

[jayc]

Add peat slowly.

Peat will change water parameters very quickly. 

 

So it depends on how you add peat ... 

1) put some peat in a sock and add to your canister filter,

2) treat change water with peat in a bucket.

 

I would go with No2. You have more control that way.

 

[Matuva]

With

• GH : 8°d
• KH : 6°d

and if you want to breed C. logemanni CRS or any other Caridina, would you try tweaking your water to lower the KH or would you rather stay with it as the tank is very stable as it is now? 

[jayc]

Your GH is ok, but if I was to fiddle with the water parameters, I would reduce KH a little, slowly, over a few water changes with either RO or rainwater.

[Matuva]

Can I use pine bark instead of peat moss to lower GH?

[jayc]

Don't use fresh pine bark.

You can use pine bark, but it will take much longer to notice a change.

You could use  alder cones, tea leaves, oak leaves, Indian Almond leaves as alternatives.

Edited July 21, 2015 by jayc

[Callan]

Your GH is ok, but if I was to fiddle with the water parameters, I would reduce KH a little, slowly, over a few water changes with either RO or rainwater.

This is the way I would go as well. 

[Matuva]

Yup, but we don't have RO here (may check at the pharmacy though), and as rain water comes from the roof, I'm afraid of using it, as it may collect some dirt and else...

May be I should test the creek water where I collect the wild caridinas, there are a lot of dead woods and leaves inside, so who knows...

[jayc]

May be I should test the creek water where I collect the wild caridinas, there are a lot of dead woods and leaves inside, so who knows...

Sounds like the perfect water if wild shrimp are living in it.

Just boil it to get rid of nasty parasites.

[Matuva]

Sounds like the perfect water if wild shrimp are living in it.

Just boil it to get rid of nasty parasites.

Good shot! I forgot about that.

[Shrimpy Daddy]

My parameters in this tank are:

• No3 & NO2 : 0
• GH : 8°d
• KH : 6°d
• PH : 6.4

Is this ok for CRS?

 

This does not look right. KH = Carbonate Hardness = Carbonate Alkalinity. If you have high alkaline level, which is carbonate for your case, you not should have pH 6.4. 

I think either your pH or KH test kit is not working.

Did you measure these directly from your tap or tank water? If it is tap water, you should gas/ circulate it for a few days before you measure it.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Shrimpy Daddy

[Matuva]

That is tank water. I'll try to get a different test.

[jayc]

Are you adding CO2?

It could be a valid pH reading if you add CO2.

[Matuva]

No CO2 in a gaz form, but I add Seachem Flourish Excel every 2 days

Edited July 22, 2015 by Matuva

[jayc]

That's not it then. Excel won't lower pH.

[Matuva]

Well, I bought a chemical test for KH/GH and one for PH too. The previous results were from stripe test.

Here is what I get in my different tanks:

RCS + blue pearls  and Tibees + carbon rili  tank (240l with a separation):
PH : 8,
KH : 6
GH : 10

OEBT + Yellow tank (50l):
PH : 8
KH : 3.5
GH : 11

White bees + Sunkist tank (65l)
PH : 8
KH : 4
GH : 10

Red cherries tank (140l):
PH : 7.5
KH : 5
GH : 9

From what I understand, I'm out of specs for the cantonensis shrimps, and even for the blue pearls...

If using peat moss to reduce KH, what quantity should I use, let's say for the 240l?

 

Edited July 22, 2015 by Matuva

[Shrimpy Daddy]

If you want to breed caridina cantonesis, I think you should just use RO water and remineralise it. They are too sensitive with water parameter fluctuation. 

[Matuva]

What would happen to the cantonensis if I don't adjust the parameters? Will they just don't breed, or will they die?