My X Mas Present

[Pices]

My husband bought me this 20 gal tank (and all the fixin’s) for dwarf shrimp on the condition that he doesn’t have to assist with wc’s. It’s a deal! Now the hard part-waiting for it to be shrimp ready.
Patty

[LizStreithorst]

Exactly what you wanted but were afraid to ask for. I'm happy for you, Patty. Where will you be putting the tank?

[Pices]

I’ve got it in my kitchen by the sink. Testing the water parameters today. I cleaned out my canister from my angel tank and used the crud to seed this tank so hopefully won’t be too long for shrimps.
Patty

[sanjay21]

I love shrimp tanks Please do post updates on the tank and the setup would love to see it going.

[LizStreithorst]

I say go ahead and get them now. The filter should be close to, if not already cycled. If not, just change a bunch of water until the filter catches up. You may not think that this is good advice. I'm the only one here who does it that way. I have never formally cycled a filter. I kept 6 huge adult fish in QT in a 30 gallon with a sterile filter and all different equipment from what I used in the fish room. I started by changing 95% of the water twice a day. After a few days I went to 95% once daily. After 3 weeks I was able to 50% daily until I moved the fish to the fish room. I didn't even have a test kit. I just watched the fish. With the shrimp, a test kit is a good idea.

[Adam S]

What Liz said. Shrimp don't produce enough waste to worry about, and they'll be fine if they aren't overfed. If you dumped in a lot of filter sludge, that'll be enough to feed them for a bit.

[LizStreithorst]

Thanks, Adam. I figured everyone would tell Patty that what I suggested was dead wrong.

[Pices]

Liz, I was wondering how you got your tank going so fast! I’m testing my water today. I’ve been reading a lot about shrimp since I got the bug. I’m reading that snails are important, but I’ve had a tank get overrun with snails and I hate that. My question is would a bristlenose bring the same benefits as snails? They are cute little buggers!
Patty

[LizStreithorst]

All I know about snails is that Adam said that the shrimp will eat the little ones. I have BN in the tank because they are cute little buggers and won't eat the shrimp.

[Second Hand Pat]

Patty, can you take pics with your ipad?
Pat

[Pices]

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[Second Hand Pat]

Lovely tank Patty
Pat

[sanjay21]

Very nice shrimp has all the space they need and the driftwood.

[LizStreithorst]

Patty, what's the red plant. I'm thinking of trying to make my 125 pretty and all I have is 2 large annubias and a large Amazon sword in the middle. I need more stuff but don't have any clue about plants.

[Pices]

Thanks Pat and Sanjay. The rocks are just holding the wood piece down. I’m sure I’ll move things around a couple more times, but you get the idea. Hope my shrimps like it
Patty