Dreamscaper

I have a suspicion the copper in my PPS-Pro Micro CSM+B solution is killing my Amano shrimp. I killed off 5 amanos before due to high nitrite levels (Newbie mistake). They changed color from thier dark greyish tone to white/translucent with dark brown internal organs visible before they died. I got 5 new amanos and 2 have died after turning white/opaque, with a noticeable reddish color to the dots. The color change occurs approx. 2 days before death. They also have less movement and hide more. I am thinking possibly the copper in the CSM+B is the culprit.

30 Gallon
Eheim 2011
Pressurized CO2 at 2 bps
Nitrites 0
PH 6.6
KH 3.0
96WPG at 8hrs/day
Aeration 10hrs/night
ADA Amazonia Aquasoil.
30% WC once a week. Prime dechorinator
Dosing PPS-Pro Macros and Micros (CSM+B) 3ml each, 30 min before photo period. Daily.

I am planning on cutting down Micros to half dosage, or perhaps dose only once every other day to see if this improves shrimp life. The other 2 amanos do not show color change yet.
I am hoping to change something so I can keep my other 2. (If youre wondering about the math, one jumped out of the tank and died.)

Any ideas? Is it safe/a good idea to change dosing on micros? I dont want to upset the balance of my tank. My plants and fish are doing very well, (knock on wood), and the plants are my priority. I would like to find out what is doing in my shrimp. I did see some articles in the Shrimp/Inverts forum about CSM+B, but Id like to get a PPS-Pro forum opinion.

Thank you for the help,

Lance

Homer_Simpson

Although I don't use Plantex CSM+B, I have some on back-up that I was going to be experimenting with when my te runs out. A while ago I had asked the question of whether CSM+B would be harmful to Red Cherry Shrimp, and I imagine that if it was other inverts(ghost, amano, etc.,) would be effected the same way. Here is the response I got. Keep in mind that the amount of CSM+B that you would dose through PPS-Pro is may not be as much as that you would dose through other routines, especially if you are combining PPS-Pro with regular water changes.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...mp-deaths.html

Somebody else asked the question prior and this was the response.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...rtebrates.html

Hope that helps.

Regards

Dreamscaper

I checked those threads out too. Nobody has any definitive answer. Some people have no problem, some people lose shrimp. Im going to cut my dosage from every day to only 3x a week. Ill see how that goes.

Thanks for the advice!

Lance

Dreamscaper

I figured it out. Low ph. My ph has been dropping below 6.6 with the CO2 and the amazonia. The shrimp cant handle it.

Thanks for the help!

Lance

eklikewhoa

Put something in the tank to buffer it....

I have dosed double EI with zero shrimp lost.

Edward

Hi
The problem could be low Ca, not low pH. Your substrate actively removes Ca from the water making it difficult for your shrimps to build and maintain strong exoskeleton. Test your aquarium GH to see how low it is. Maintaining GH of 3 – 6 degrees with water changes or CaSO4 dose will resolve this issue. CaSO4 can be obtained form chemical supply stores and www.plantprod.com as Gypsum-Calcium Sulphate. This product dissolves in few minutes and does not change KH or pH. Plants and snails love it, especially Tonina.



Thank you
Edward

You can dose ½ the recommended TE dose if you like, plants won’t even notice.

Dreamscaper

Edward:

I dont have a GH test kit, only a KH kit. I tested my water column today, with the kits I have, and this is what Ive got:
PH 6.6
KH 3.0
Ammonia: ~0.1
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 40 (2hrs after ferts) usually 5-10.

In a 30 gallon tank, how much CaSO4 should I dose, how often, and should I dose dry into the tank, or in solution with distilled water?

Thanks for the help with yet another one, Edward.

Lance

Edward

Dreamscaper

Ok, ill get a Ca kit and test again. BTW- the 2 amano shrimp I have left are doing fine. One just molted last night, and I had this idea, tell me if its a bad idea or not: Leave the molted exoskeleton to decompose and provide calcium?

Or is that going to decompose and provide ammonia/waste? (Ive always taken them out before for this reason.)

Ill post my Ca results after i get a test kit.

Thanks,

lance

Edward