Leaderboard

Let the tank cycle for 18 days and got the water parameters to where I wanted them. Added some new residents 5 days ago. Already had 2 molt!

Sorry, missed that. 28 days.

Simon, do you know whether there would be potential in mixing tap and distilled water? Or do the shrimp remineralisers contain ingredients that tap water wouldn’t necessarily have?

My Taiwan bees started off in a 15L and did extremely well, in fact too well so within a few months I got a 35L setup! When you get the TDS meter, try testng distilled water, it should be pure water in which case TDS 000, KH 0, PH below 7 etc, GH 0. If it is then you can just use it as you would RO, which will require getting GH/KH+ shrimp minerals. Simon

Oh that’s much better. Just keep in mind with shrimp you don’t cycle purely for the nitrogen cycle, but to increase algae, biofilm and microlife for the shrimp to eat. Generally speaking, shrimp keepers tend to cycle 2 months to account for this.

So the tank has only been running for 18 days?

If it’s only for shrimp, it isn’t too small, but you’ll just have to be very careful to keep the water parameters stable.

Thank you both. For the filter pipe problem, I do have some extra filter sponge, so I'll try to fix that on the end of the pipe, thanks for suggestion. I just ordered TDS meter online, it should be here in week or two. Didn't find GH test that can be shipped here yet, but I'll look again in few days (seller that is willing to ship is out of stock right now). Distilled water is cheaper option (at least at the moment). I do have a water filter in my fridge, maybe that could be okay to use instead of the filter jug? Here is the link with specs of that fridge filter https://www.samsung.com/nz/home-appliance-accessories/refrigerators-filter-hafin2-hafin2-exp/ BTW, I just measured the tank I have. Dimensions are 35cm (l) x 18cm (w) x 24,5cm (h), water level would be at 22cm. So the volume is about 13,5l. Is that too small?