alexopolus

So I finally ordered my new tank!!! Originally I wanted a ADA 120P, but luckily for me they werent available at the time, so I started to ask for proposals and the Guys from Reff2Reff got me a proposal that I could not reject. $420 for a starphire glass (3 sides) tank with a PvC bottom. 48X18X20.

I'm planning this to be a shrimp friendly tank (with lots of ottos and micro rasboras?). so if We (the club) need a place for the september meeting my house and tank are available.

So ideas for soil, plants and Lighting are welcome (I'm thinking to steal Walterk idea for lighting).

Michael

You'll love the microrasboras! I have Boraras maculatus and while I believe they do eat a baby shrimp ocasionally, the shrimp population is growing in that tank.

I would like to add some of very small cories, either Corydoras hastatus or C. pygmaeus. Does anyone know if they are shrimp safe?

Thanks for the offer to host! We have tentative locations for September and October, but nothing lined up for November. Would that work for you?

CrownMan

I have some cory pygmaeus that are at least 4 years old and they are shrimp friendly. They might pick off the really small ones but my shrimp population has always grown in the tank with them. I would not object to getting some Hastatus as well. I would also love to get some Bororas Maculatus. Sounds like the makings of a group purchase to me. Maybe I could finally setup my two cubes the way they should be.

alexopolus

I don't know if I can hold myself until November to set up the tank (that was the main reason to have the meeting in my house... Have people participating in the set-up process,we don't get to do that very often), but I may be able to host the November meeting anyways... I'll leave the September proposition open just in case.

alexopolus

Need soil advice... I want to keep cardinia (bee CRS) and neocardinia. Bee shrimps need acid and soft water, and they are pretty sensible to high nitrates. Which soil should I consider? It Needs to buffer the water (acid) and not to decompose or pollute the water... I have been able to grown plants and keep cherries with any kind of soil and methods, but CRS are a bit more complicated.

Michael and Crownman, I will abuse of your "brain" (knowledge) to have this one done... Of course if you don't mind.

CrownMan as soon I figure this setup we can make a group purchase.

Michael

Let me email the executive committee about the September meeting.

I would be interested in a group buy for the micro-rasboras and dwarf cories.

chrislewistx

Likewise, I would be interested in a group purchase of the micro-rasboras and dwarf cories. I was already considering corydoras pygmaues, and Hemigrammus amandae. However, the micro-rasboras would work great too.

I have been researching shrimp, and have found several threads on shrimpnow, and other sources. that refer to the following as shrimp compatible. However, the hardcore shrimpers take the stance that no fish are truly shrimp safe. They state then even ottos will accidentally trample juveniles, and micro-rasboras might nip at the shrimp. I believe its one of those trade offs you have to live with in the fish keeping world.

corydoras" and "ancristrus" and any "boraras"

"galaxy danio" or: "Paedocypris progenetica"

"Danionella species"

"Pandaka pygmaea"

"Gobiopterus species cf. panayensis"

"Oryzias minutillus"

"Lepidarchus adonis"

"Odontocharacidium aphanes"

"Barboides gracilis"

Sorry to sidetrack your thread Alex. I'm no help on suggestions for the shrimp setup. However, in regards to lighting for the setup what kind of plants did you have in mind for this tank? It sounds like a great project, and I will be following along.

alexopolus

Don't worry about the "sidetracking" fish is part on my project too.
Not sure about the plants. I'm thinking on having lots of slow growing foreground plants with some moss and pellia. I'm open to suggestions. I will use LEDs bulbs from Lowes. I have been using them for a while and have had good results, but haven't tried on high light plants. I just need to get some descent light fixtures (Walterk IKEA idea).

Michael

I am hopeful that Jason will answer all our shrimp questions later this month! Meanwhile, I do know that Kim uses part RO water in her CRS tank, and the little guys are breeding like rabbits. Kim has hard, moderately high pH Dallas water like I do.

Alex, are you in Arlington? Parts of Arlington have soft, acid water out of the tap. I believe Crownman (Mike) has water like this--he is in Arlington and will host our August meeting.

stmarshall

I also would be interested in a group by of the dwarf cories. I have regular albino cories that are starting to bread but I haven't set them up for it and only get a couple every month or so. I might set up a tank just for them and bread for a little while. But of course will take any advice that Crownman has to offer at the next meeting.