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I'm sure there are, or at least there used to be heaps in NSW. They have gone dormant now.

Ironically, the babies don't seem to hang out on the back glass much. Its mostly the adults. The very new babies seem to LOVE the mini bolbitis. That's where I see most of them until they're big enough and start exploring the rest of the tank. I don't really care about it being ugly haha. I have the 30C to satisfy my need for a "nice" aquascape. Cheers jayc. I'll definitely keep you in mind when I decide to reduce shrimp numbers! I'll just wait a bit to see what colours and patterns I end up with. Just noticed you're in Sydney. I wonder if there are many other NSW CRS keepers on this forum?

It was a ‘black diamond quartz gravel’ from someone on gumtree, that turned grey... eww. I have about 4cm of it in the bottom of my 110 L. Forgot to mention, I’m fine to switch to sand or soil if u think that would be better. (Maybe from my bn’s point of view). I’ll check those two out. Thanks jayc!

What sort of gravel do you have now? What about 'Pisces Black diamond gravel'? I hear they are good. Also 'AquaLava by Oliver Knott' should be inert since it's scoria rocks.

LOL, who's looking at the tank? Look at all those CRS!! Good work Lizzy. I'm so glad the RO system has paid off for you. If you have surplus and want to part with some, let me know. I sold off my CRS a few months ago, and seeing your tank makes me want to get them again. Lizzy is in Newcastle Australia, not Newcastle UK. We are heading into Summer, officially Spring at the moment, but we will be seeing temps of 34C this Friday.

Here we are: nicknamed Noodle, Noo-boy and Noo-girl, the 3 Microphis cruentus Juliet, the Microphis brachyurus female Juliet and her Romeo, Noo-girl at the bottom Noodle, the first Microphis cruentus she caught, the smaller one (younger probably)

Definitely go the sponge.

That’s a cool idea! I would be interested in testing that out as well at some point. Let us know if you try it!

Shame there aren't more active locals. I don't have one Simon. I've thought to buy one multiple times. A couple of reasons why I didn't: 1. CRS survived last summer. Tank got to 27-28 degrees some days when we weren't home and I never had any deaths. Not saying it won't happen in the future, but they appear to be hardier than I first thought. 2. My other half isn't keen on another canister filter to run a chiller, fearing leaks. Don't ask lol. I would've bought another Eheim 2213. I have one on my 30C and its perfect. On another note, I just bought a CO2Art Pro-SE regulator. Planning on running CO2 on the 30C. Still need to get a gas cylinder. I have limited cabinet space so I have to work out what will fit as I want the biggest cylinder I can get. I also need to figure out if I run an inline reactor or diffuser in the tank. Any suggestions? I believe inline is the most efficient, but I don't know of any drawbacks. Lizzy

When I used TAP water for my Betta the JBL soil I used (may not be available where you are though) exhausted its PH buffering in about 3 months, if that is any help - didn't take long! Incidentally, has anyone ever tried exhausting a soil substrate buffering by adding PH plus, before adding any occupants, I am assuming that will speed up the process. I may get some and give it a go as an experiment? next time I do an order????? Simon

I know winter is a way off your end, you lucky lot! Do you have a chiller Lizzy, you don't want to risk all those beautiful CRS if it gets too hot, especially as they are near the window - been there, sort of!!! Simon

Thanks ? Yup, they were caught in a brackish spot, but they do afford fresh water with no problems.

Wow! Absolutely unique fish @Matuva. These are fresh water ya?

Update: Have determined that the KH issue is with the gravel, so will change it next weekend. I don’t know what to switch it out for though... I would consider a shrimp substrate, except they usually are intended to buffer the water, and my tap water is perfect for everything I have in the tank already, so I need a neutral substrate. Would prefer full black or brown substrate, but of course the first priority is it’s neutrality and safety. (Just remembered I have plants with roots in the tank, so maybe a planted tank substrate...?) Any ideas on substrate or a good way to replace the substrate would be great! Cheers!

Update: Tank is doing OK. No more loses. My female is still berried, but she seems to be hiding in the same place most of the day. She comes out for food, but stays in the same spot. I’m having some hair algae growth, mostly in the moss, but some elsewhere as well. Not sure why, but it’s irritating for sure.

Put them into the tank over 2 hours ago. Turned the light on quickly to have a look, no visible corpses and they seem to be enjoying themselves picking away at the wood. Fingers crossed, no major diasters yet. I know I shouldn't have, but I tipped them in, along with the water when I was acclimitising them in. Was bloody hard to net them in the bottom of the bucket. Edit - Even in the dark, its great to final see some life in the tank ?

Fantastic news!!! They may slow down/stop breeding in winter remember but that's not something you need to worry about at the moment. I think most people leave at least the back (I leave back and both sides) alone, to grow algae/biofilm, the babies especially like that? If you don't like seeing the growth on the back glass then you can get some black background to put behind the tank, this will also show the shrimps off better, especially babies if they are on the back???? Also as the sponge is black and the filter is also black etc they won't be so visually obvious???? Always great to hear a success story so thanks for the update! Simon