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I have a little aquarium 15 to 20ltrs I’m using rain water and have added what I thought was needed the shrimp seem okay but the more information I get the more I’m worrying myself I have some items coming today and I’m wanting to know if I should keep doing what I had or change things. What I used to set up was rainwater and Fluval Stratum Mineral Rich along with Tetra Aqua Safe to neutralise harmful substances. I also have dwarf grass, Java moss,1 moss ball and a lotus I had that set up for about 2week then got my blue dream shrimp. My ph is fine but the TDS is 121 so I’ve ordered some gh/kh+ minerals to address this I’ve also ordered some Seachem Prime conditioner. Am I okay to have all these in the water obviously making sure the ph and TDS are at optimal level. If anyone needs any other information in order to help please ask me thank you for any help

The water should be similar to RO if it is pure rainwater and I would just use the gh/kh+ to get to the required TDS and the other parameters should then also be in line as ths is a shrimp specific product! I wouldn't use either of the other products you have or the prime you have on order. You may need Aquasafe etc if you use tapwater but Rainwater should be almost RO water and won't have any chlorine etc. When doing maintenance or water change add the new water gradually (drip method is best) so the shrimp can get used to the slow change, if there is any. A 10-20% water change per week or 2 should be sufficient on a shrimp only tank. You have very soft/clean water in scotland so you may be able to use tap water, dechlorinated (tetra aquasafe), with gh/kh+ to get to required parameters. If this sounds easier and preferable try mixing 2L tapwater, dechlorinate, then add gh/kh+ to get to tds of about 220. Then do a full set of tests, ph/kh/gh/tds/ammonia/ntrate/nitrite and see if they are all in line with required parameters. If all is ok just use that going forward. Cherry shrimp are quite easy to keep and rhobust. The important thing is not to do any large or sudden changes to anything, especially if the shrimp are doing ok! Simon

That sounds good to me. I'll get on it.