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How about start from the beginning. (I know we have some of this is draft form or better, I'm listing everything I can think of.) - Possibly - what general types of shrimp are available... ha, that'll be fun (I wasn't thinking of a comprehensive list - more along the lines of common options.) - Ideal and acceptable parameters for various breeds of shrimp - Setting up a new tank with an eye on those parameters; tricks, tips, and things to consider. - Reviews of commercial and home-grown/made shrimp foods/products/paraphernalia (I saw the threads with the start of such stuff.) - Shrimp life cycle, care, feeding, and breeding :basic things like colony size, sexing, culling, etc as well as more hard-core things like creating certain patterns or lines - "how do I make a pinto" kind of question. (For example, I've spent a lot of time searching for information on how long it takes a particular shrimp to grow from birth to maturity. I half gave up and decided to do my own observations and there are currently 2 batches of babies growing up in their own breeding box. I'd gladly share that info, but it'd not have any good pictures since I don't have the right camera equipment etc. I'd be willing to collaborate with someone who did.) - Trouble shooting common issues (molting problems, loss of color, high juvenile death rates, etc, diseases and ickies - I know there's a great thread on that already) The majority of that info is SOMEWHERE on the forum, it'd be wonderful if we could consolidate it and turn the information into nice neat charts like the water parameters one. (No, I don't want much at all! Everything isn't much, right?)

Mineral balls can be purchased in the USA as well. I'm not entirely sure they are required if the water parameters are within check and the shrimp get a good diet. If you want to lower the GH slowly over time, you probably want to remove that limestone...

From what I have seen with my shrimp they could be cleaning themselves or they could be getting ready to molt, Now would be a perfect time to check your gH, kH and other parameters to make sure they're where they should be to help your little guys molt :) I also suggest that you consider adding some 'mineral balls' to ensure your shrimp have the required minerals to molt successfully. If you dont have any check out @newbreed's shop https://newbreedaquatics.com.au/. Cheers

I think the only definitive way of finding out if Marimo moss balls are allowed into the country is to talk directly to AQIS, some how I doubt it is allowed since not only is it now protected in its native lakes in Japan(?) because of the concerns with its slow growth in the wild, but also I believe there was some concern with being able to properly quarantine the moss balls and being sure that no hitch hikers come in with it without using harsh chemicals to kill potential hitch hikers that could/ would also kill the moss ball. I do know there have been many fake marimo moss balls being sold online, being made out of some sort of fake grass or florists fake moss even fibreglass. I have usually seen marimo moss balls being sold on ebay and gumtree, for me the dead give away that the balls are most likely fake is the asking price. If the marimo moss ball had gone through the quarantine requirements I cant see it being flogged off for as little as $10. After a bit of quick searching online it appears that the powers that be in Tasmania are pretty sure that Marimo moss balls are in the state http://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/marimo-or-moss-balls-are-declared-unwanted-quarantine-pest-in-tasmania But in the same search I came across this Australian seller http://www.exoaquaristic.com.au/products/big-marimo-moss-ball-4-5-cm?variant=26785399747 I am guessing still a grey area then on the legalities.

Thanks kiz, our interests seem to keep crossing paths. The shrimp I mentioned that I'd just collected are not a paratya, no supra orbital spine. Also a lesson I've learned, paratya may not be able to compete with exotics when food is lean. I say this because I have all my groups dispersed along side cherries and crystals. I've been away for a few weeks and all tanks have been on rations. Just got back to find 3 of my paratya groups have been really thinned down in numbers while the shrimp they were boarding with all seem present. And the tanks were I have paratya with natives like riffles or red nose are all fine.

Shrimp Keepers Forum welcomes millz. Please feel free to browse around and get to know others. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. View Member regards, skfadmin hi all Just started getting into my tropical fish etc and i have a funky tank which i will get some pictures up off. i am here looking for advice and to have a good look around. james

My new favorite quote from @Shrimpy Daddy "LOL!!! You want me to take out my full gear and shoot tonight?"