Leaderboard

So we have a rainwater tank under our house and I have a pond in the yard - was kind of planning on using rain water or water that has been cycling through my backyard pond, native pacific blue eye fish and native red nosed shrimp out there doing their own thing. If I am stuck and in a drought then I might have to resort to filtered tap water... does this sound like a plan?

I just did a water change few days ago and this morning I see some fuzz on my crayfish. Hes perfectly active likes to eat his indian leaf, pellets and chase fish around. Any input would be appreicated

Thanks for your input.. the tank is cement and is under our house, its what I use to top up my outdoor pond when it loses evaporation and the shrimp living out there are breeding. I will certainly look into test kits but to begin with I am just going to cycle the tank with plants. Thanks again!

It is best to test the parameters of the 'source' water and go from there. Many people use dechlorinated tap water successfully with cherry shrimp (me included), but rainwater or RO water you will need to mineralise the water. I guess it is a bit too early at this stage as you don't have the tank yet, but you may want to ge the test kits so you are ready to go anyway - TDS meter/pen, GH, KH, PH and of course ammonia/nitrite/nitrate for cyclng the tank. I guess you can make life easier when you have the tests by testing the different 'sources' so you can get any minerals etc ready as well, and decide which source is going to best suit cherry shrimps? Rainwater is likely near to RO water so will likely need minerals added, and what is the storage tank/guttering made of, as some metals are toxic to shrimp, especially copper? Sorry, got a bit off original topic. All the equipment you originally listed looks good and well thought out from what I saw but as I am in UK it isn't the same 'stuff' here so hopefully someone from Australia will help with that aspect. Simon

I have often got odd groups of fungus growing when setting up new tanks, though not seen it on any shrimp, usually wood or ornaments etc and that clears itself in time once the tank is properly cycled and settled down. If he seems happy and active just keep a close eye on him and see how it progresses (hopefully disappears). Maybe the tank wasn't quite ready for him? I'm not quite sure how quickly/easy it is to cycle/establish when there are no plants, it may take longer as they are usually a part (speed up) of the process I would think, and if you have just got an ammonia reading this week? Keep testing Ammonia/nitrite and nitrate regulary at this point? If the ammonia gets too high it is normal to do a large water change, but that may trigger a molt so only do that if absolutely necessary. Don't overfeed the fish either (common mistake) as that may cause extra ammonia? What water are you using, RO or Tap? Simon

Sourced off reddit. Basically same thing, seen another post with similar conclusions as non harmful just collected some stuff. Probably bio enhancers

Doesn't seem its any of those. Had this tank going with fish for about almost 3 weeks? Its just one crayfish with about 24 tetras (different kinds) ph is 7.4 ammonia 0 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 until this week ammonia is .25. Did a 10% water change added bio enhancer stuff. He seems like hes still normal eating chasing everyone. He hasn't molted since I've had him or at least I havent noticed.

Ok so a further edit - I have been talking to a high quality tank maker in Brisbane and am leaning toward getting a custom tank made - rimless, starfire low iron glass, polished edges, as close to ADA quality as humanly possible. Using Dennison from Mary's Aquarium in Bris. Final dimensions would be 900x400x200 mm which would come in at 72 litres. Price is actually great compared with what the ADA 90F was going to cost! Even with using an ADA 60F my original budget was probably a little wishful thinking, but if I am only going to do this once I really want to get an amazing aquascape going. Still really interested in your thoughts about lighting, filtration and anything else you can think of! At the moment the thinking is filtration will be eheim classic 150 or ecco pro 130 (considerations are quiet and energy efficient) Lighting I would like to go for 1x Kessil A160 located high (I know Kessil says this will not be enough but for no CO2 I feel that it might be) or 2 x Kessil A80 (this is what Kessil recommends for a tank of this size - I wrote to them when I was looking at the 900x300x200 ADA tank) - I really like the pendant style of hanging light - (and the shimmer) any other recommendations on lighting welcome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaw02PY5ya4 Here is a 60F lit by Kessil A160 and there seems to be heaps of overlap for a larger tank? Thanks team and have a great day - interested in your thoughts!

Basically at the rear of his head shell