I have raised this in a minor context previously however would like to readdress as i still have not addressed my issue.

How do you change your buffering soil (benibachi, shrimp sand etc) once the buffering capacity is extinguished without impacting on the shrimp with possible ammonia spikes from the new stuff?

 

My dilemma is i have a 4 ft tank breeding CRS and shrimplets and my Up Aqua shrimp and is no longer buffering as it about 2 years old. I want to replace it but i am too scared to just remove it and add new soil but i dont have a sister tank running identical paremeters which the shrimp could temporarily take refuge in whilst i do so.

 

So i would like to hear your tried and tested solutions for how you address this issue? 

 

Would soaking the new substrate in a separate bucket with old tank water help?

That would help leach ammonia out before you add it to the new tank (minus the water of course).

 

Adding the new substrate a little at a time will also help reduce ammonia spike.

 

 

Aldi has a 65L tub on sale today. You could use that to pre-soak new substrate to remove some ammonia.

https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/wednesday-24-september-2014/wednesday-detail-wk39/ps/p/tough-strong-storage-tub-65l/

Lol its an 8hr drive to aldi for me :). I have considered that method but wanting to see if someone has used it.

Surely theres people in the same predicament that have done soil change ><

Edited September 24, 201411 yr by OzShrimp

LOL. 8 hrs! 

It was only a suggestion of course. You can chose to use any old bucket.

 

There arent too many options unfortunately.

Either you bite the bullet and change the whole lot in one go. Which means catching shrimp into another tank or container.

OR

You change it a bit at a time.

 

Using Cal Aqua Labs BEP or Benibachi is easier, since the ammonia spike isn't as bad as say ADA Amazonia aquasoil.

Yeah i wouldnt use ADA it would be another shrimp substrate, coming up to summer i dont want to be holding my shrimp in a container even with my tried ad tested method in a container. Knowing my luck i would hit one of our many 50 degree days whilst their in there.

Add a pack or 2 of benibachi fulvic grain

It will buff your water again for 6/12 months

I havea 4 ftr so would you suggest 3-4 packs?

alternatively you can siphon out some of the old substrate -maybe a quarter of the tank- add new substrate slowly to minimise dust but you will get some clouding regardless- let that settle for a few days and then do another quarter etc. I have done this without problems and must have been told by someone else on the forum at some stage. keep an eye out for ammonia spike but if you siphon carefully you should be OK.

I know it works and my shrimp have been fine. Eshrimp suggested moving all the plants to one side so the shrimplets will be away from the area you are suctioning as they will stay near the moss.. The soil comes out quite well but keep an eye on how much water you are taking out as you will need to replace it with fresh water.

+1 with Ineke.

Add a pack or 2 of benibachi fulvic grain

It will buff your water again for 6/12 months

As per this post my buffering soil has expired and iv purchased the fulvic grain but im wondering how long this product takes to buffer completely im adding a bit at a time but dont want to add more if the first bit is still bringing ph down so if i had a rough timeline on how fast it works would be good.

Cheers

Ron