need help setting up my new tank 10 gal - Shrimp & other Invertebrates

jscroppo56@gmail.com · 03-25-2012, 07:59 PM

Hello i am going to the local petsmart soon and i am thinking about buying the bio wheel 10 gal kit for a shrimp tank. What are some good beginners shrimp i want to get blue tigers but not for my first time anyways is that a good tank kit what else should i get do i need a airpump please any help will be appreciated also what is the minimum i should buy of each type of shrimp also what do they like big structures on the bottom fake plants gravel or rocks anything will help me thanks for your time

aquaman555 · 03-25-2012, 09:44 PM

A ten gallon tank would make a good size shrimp tank, the bio-wheel filter is however unnecessary if it will just be shrimp in the tank. It may be cheaper to get the tank alone and a sponge filter and air pump, or maybe not. I don't see the need for an air pump if you are running the bio-wheel. If you do run the bio-wheel just remember to use a sponge to cover the filter inlet if you don't want any babies to get sucked up.

The best, hardiest and easiest to find beginner shrimp would probably be red cherry shrimp or other neocaridina species like; blue pearls, yellow, snowball etc. IMO.

There really isn't a set minimum amount of each type you should get as that is up to you. You can fit plenty in a 10g and if you are wanting to breed them you will want to get 4-6 at least of each variety to ensure both sexes. Do remember many shrimp, like the ones I mentioned above can interbreed, which is not wanted.

They like an established tank with live plants and moss being preferable over fake ones. Gravel or sand works, sand seems to be a popular choice among shrimp keepers. It is nice to have structures for them, driftwood or rocks would work fine. Nothing really specific, but what you think looks good should be enough to provide them shelter if need be.

Hope this helps.

jscroppo56@gmail.com · 03-25-2012, 10:39 PM

Thanks for all the info i have been doing some research and am wondering how long should i cycle the tank and also what are some good low light level plants because it has leds for lighting if i go with the bio wheel

Big_Fish · 03-26-2012, 07:02 AM

allow the tank to cycle until ammonia readings are ZERO, nitrite readings are stabilized near zero and Nitrate readings are less than 40 PPM. (2 weeks, maybe 3.. less if you have any sort of previously used substrate or ceramic noodles)
any sort of moss, Java, Christmas, Flame etc should do just fine in that tank.

jscroppo56@gmail.com · 03-26-2012, 06:09 PM

Thank you very much for all the great information. I went to petco today and purchased bio wheel 10 gallon tank kit. I bought the tank andthe gravel today. I just got done filling her up with tap water. and is cycling really nice I did not get any plants because I was in a hurry and di d not knowif I was gonna set the tank today. what are some good low light levels plants that I can use because I am running leds. also are there any tips cycling or getting ready for new shrimp that I have not mentioned

aquaman555 · 03-26-2012, 07:05 PM

What Big_Fish said above should answer the questions you just asked. Try any type of moss, those LED setups in kits are pretty weak I believe, but low light moss should do alright.

What method of cycling are you using?

jscroppo56@gmail.com · 03-26-2012, 08:49 PM

just running the filter and air stone and adding a very little fish food for a few days untill i start taking measurements with my test kits.im am also going to get some plants that can live and grow in such low light levels. I go a api master test kit online for 19 with shipping. So as soon as that comes in ill establish all critical levels shrimp need or at least try!!! PS do you think its easyer to cycle the tank with starter fish or the fishless cycle thanks again for all the help people

aquaman555 · 03-27-2012, 02:04 PM

Honestly on freshwater I have never done anything, but cycle with fish. So I can't say which way I think is best, but starter fish is the way I've always gone.

jscroppo56@gmail.com · 03-27-2012, 07:58 PM

Ok i think ill go purchase some cheap fish in the morning .should i start with more than two or three?i also got some fluval moss balls are these good.i saw they sell fire moss at the store but there just little balls and the guy said i needed to put it on a piece of drift wood. i dont have any yet can i just attach that to something from the fet store like a fake decoration or should i get the real deal. And get some driftwood ...

aquaman555 · 03-28-2012, 01:52 PM

On my 2.5g shrimp tank I cycled with a single guppy. I would say get a 3 or 4 small hardy fish for a 10g.

Those Fluval moss balls should be good if you like them. With mosses most should attach to quite a few things real or fake, what you want is something porous. Any aquarium safe rocks or wood should work real or fake. At the big chain stores around here they have some fake rocks that are pretty porous that should work and also they have mopani wood in the reptile section that is aquarium safe.