sarah

Thanks - that's a really helpful thread.
It's funny - I had read it weeks ago and didn't remember it was there. Thanks.

Yeah, the breeder box stays inside. If you are doing the dark treatment then the critter box you linked would probably be a better choice. I did the drip treatment.
You can read though this post as well.
http://www.shrimpspot.com/index.php?/topic/3386-the-green-fungus/

Thanks - this is so helpful. I have been wondering about this for a while! I'm glad you asked, Crazyfishlady!

Amanranth/Mulberry leaves serve a different purpose to IAL/Guava Leaves. Amaranth/Mulberry leaves are used as food sources, as a replacement to manufactured foods. IAL/Guava are used in the same way as Alder Cones and Cholla Wood, they are more or less supplements/water conditioners (the natural way) for your shrimp tank. Amanranth/Mulberry leaves are used for the vitamins and minerals that the shrimp consume. IAL/Guava leaves are used primarily for their anti-bacterial/fungal properties (prevention method), and their ability to generate biofilm. 

Wow your tap water has ammonia nitrite and nitrate in it? Gross

YES!  That's it!  Thank you chib!
 
Here's a better image from google:
 

The 1 mm size/first post is more likely to be Wolffia and the next size/second post Lemna minor (lesser duckweed). I think Wolffia is called water meal.
Greater duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) is larger still (5 mm and up I think) and has a very shiny upper surface. Its leaves tend to grow in groups of 3 or 4 before budding off, unlike Lemna which seems to max out at 2. The underside develops to a purplish red in good conditions (iron and other trace nutrients). It grows more slowly and gets big enough that it's easier to corral.
I like all duckweeds. They don't get tangled in my rooted plants, they don't flip over and die, they help keep fish from jumping, they are never carbon limited, they are undemanding about light, and they are great at exporting nitrogen. Even people who can't grow regular plants (ME) can grow duckweed (although I have been known to kill it). I know it's basically impossible to get rid of, but I like it.

This lovely lady just decided to show me what she's been working on
 
And I have at least 2-3 other saddled females. Some of them are so red that it's hard to see their saddles.

Everyone is still alive - looking great, actually.
 
I've never been lucky enough to see this before, but there are quite a few males swimming around all over who seem to be looking for someone... so I am hoping I'll find a new berried female soon
 
Temp is at 74 right now, so I will keep the heater unplugged as Meta recommended.
 
I have to admit - I am loving having these guys on my desk, but it is a huge distraction!

Everyone is still alive - looking great, actually.
 
I've never been lucky enough to see this before, but there are quite a few males swimming around all over who seem to be looking for someone... so I am hoping I'll find a new berried female soon
 
Temp is at 74 right now, so I will keep the heater unplugged as Meta recommended.
 
I have to admit - I am loving having these guys on my desk, but it is a huge distraction!

My own preference is gh of 6-9.  But lots of people will have other opinions as well.

I used to keep RCS in my office. They were in a 20 gallon tank. My office temp fluctuated from 65 to 78 through the year with no issues. It has been my experience they are fine from 60 to about 75 degrees. Others may have more insight. Remeber it takes a lot longer for water temperature to change vs air temperature. have a gneiss day

Went to a baby shower yesterday. As soon as you walked in the door you got a clothes pin and were told not to say the word "baby" or you lost your pin (one of those semi amusing shower games).
 
No problem
 
I made it over an hour ... at a baby shower without using the word 'baby'.... until the subject of my shrimp came up. HA - I lost my pin for talking about my shrimp 'babies'. 

Well Han may be too modest to say it... but I think his line of shrimp foods are really amazing. So far, I have used the nettle, snowflake, baby food, and special blend. All of them are taken eagerly by my very very picky shrimp.
 
As for plants, mine love to hang out in and nibble the biofilm on Java moss.

Gone. Im glad you can make use of them. A special thanks to you Soothing as well since you were kind enough to explain some things to me recently via PM. Enjoy.

Do you have a youtube channel lol? I want to see a video/picture

I ordered a sample pack a couple weeks ago. So far I have tried the snowflake, nettle, and baby food. Every single one has been a huge hit. I have fed my shrimp a variety of commercial foods in the past, and they barely paid attention at all. What a huge difference! I don't know what Han puts in there, but I can't wait to try the rest. Really fantastic customer service too. Such a pleasure to deal with.

I ordered a sample pack a couple weeks ago. So far I have tried the snowflake, nettle, and baby food. Every single one has been a huge hit. I have fed my shrimp a variety of commercial foods in the past, and they barely paid attention at all. What a huge difference! I don't know what Han puts in there, but I can't wait to try the rest. Really fantastic customer service too. Such a pleasure to deal with.

What kind of LED? They have a wide range from too little to be useful at all to complete overkill for all but the fanciest setups.

You'll have to try things out and see. They might be perfect or not. Watch the plants and see what you need to do there after.

If your looking basic just get a hoop that runs florescent bulbs. There cheap and will keep low light plants alive. have a gneiss day

Definitely depends on what plants you're looking to keep - you can do a lot with the basic fluorescent hood lights if you aren't driving a high tech planted tank.

Just a word of caution with a 20 long tank as it is only 13 inches deep with out substrate it does not take much light to push you in to the high light category. A led light with two strips you are probably in the high light category depending on there quality. have a gneiss day

@ Sarah -You might get algae with too bright of light without co2 and dosing. Either that or some of your plants will look like crap... Sorta like mine lol. I'm lacking the dosing of ferts. Go as bright as you can according to how your eyes like things. You can get a good idea of how some lights look if you browse YouTube. Then configure from there according to how your plants and tank are doing is what I'd do. I still need ferts still. Just too cheap to get them right now.

Sounds like you can get away with a basic florescent hood.
have a gneiss day