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Ok, that makes more sense. That means your earlier measurement for pH, GH and KH does not count anymore, as it will most likely have changed. Retest pH, GH and KH. Write down your parameters to keep track of it.

Something is weird with your water parameters. For TDS100 , I would have expected pH, GH and KH to be lower. Can you measure your tap water TDS? Alternatively, you might need to "condition" your TDS meter. Let it sit in the water with with a little bit of water, enough to cover the TDS probes. Let it sit in water for 10-20 minutes, then test your tank water again. Check that the probe is straight and not slightly bent.

Red claw cray Fish

Absolutely. Just continue with regular weekly water changes. No need to alter the routine, or as Simon said, add additional water changes to the routine. Unfortunately, as long as you are using tap water, the lowest pH it will get is what you have from the tap. 7.4/7.6 as you mentioned above. If it gets down to 7.4, that should make a difference to the shrimp. Especially if GH is around 4.

Fertilised eggs are moved to the swimmerettes . Unfertilised eggs are kept internally.

As you say, the figures are coming down but that means the TDS and GH are getting too low really for cherry shrimp so I wouldn't keep doing extra water changes over your normal routine until you have a definitive plan, stick to your weekly usual for now. Make sure new water is added sowly as well! You could continue with the tap water but would need to get some GH+ to bring the new water TDS and GH up, but thats a bit impractical if you plan to transfer to RO water soon anyway as that requires a different remineraliser. With the RO water you will need to get GH/KH+ before you can use the RO water! The RO water remineralised is the safest way to get and keep the ideal water parameters as tap water can change from different areas and at different times of the year. As JayC mentioned, you could collect rainwater in the meantime but that would still require GH/KH+ I expect otherwise the TDS and GH (and KH) will drop even lower? You will be able to check the TDS pen with the RO water as it should be 000 (or very very close) TDS. Simon

Ok so: Ph: 7.8 (looks like a 7.8 in the light, looks like a 8 when not in the light, but a 7.8 makes more sense i think) KH: 3 GH: 4 Looks like progress, how often should I do a water change to slowly bring down the ph? Cheers!

So tap water TDS is 54, after conditioning it as you said, my tank water measures 103 TDS this time. I did do a 30% water change last night.

So got my TDS pen today. Tank water is 100 tds. Which is at the lowest end for cherry shrimp i believe.

So it's been a bit. Life overran me. Update on scuds. I tried the seltzer water, put 1 gallon into 40 gallon tank. It was not strong enough. The scuds looked like they were having a rave party, some very abnormal behavior. One spiraled up to the surface to float down to the bottom and do it again. I'm hoping with stronger application it will be successful.

Sorry for the blurry picture but definitely not a snail or slug, I keep them out of the breederbox. Kinda looked like an algae wafer that's been left for a bit but darker ? Could it just be the organs you'd normally see in the shrimp's head area under the shell? Don't know what would've made it come out like that though...