raesunrae Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Hey All, Friday I broke down (2) 20G tanks and set up a new 45G rimless tank. The substrate from the established tanks was UP Shrimp Sand and over a year old, so I started the 45 with a new bag of Controsoil and seeded it underneath with a couple very thin layers of the established Shrimp Sand and a sprinkled layer of BioPlus underneath on one off the layers. I was also running an Eheim 2215 on one of the old tanks and a Cascade 700 canister on the other and I moved both to the 45G so it has 2 established canister filters running. Added 1/4 old tank water and filled the rest with RO water re-mineralized with SS GH+ to a TDS of 135. I also moved the established driftwood and cholla wood to the new set up. Sunday: 0 ammonia 0 nitrites 0-5 nitrates TDS 136 PH 5.9 I added my 15 DBV's that I already had that I was holding in my Ebi and released them in the 45G on Sunday night. All seemed healthy and happy. I also had an order of 10 DBV's that arrived yesterday afternoon and drip acclimated for at least 2 hours and placed them in the tank last night. All good. Checked PH, TDS and PH still holding at 5.9. I added an air bubbler last night but the PH was still 5.9 this AM. I recalibrated my PH meter although it tested fine. I also noticed one of the smaller DBV's died late this AM. 2 water testings today showed 0 Ammonia 0 Nitrites 0-5 Nitrates 5-6 GH 0-1 KH 136 TDS What should I do? I plan to add CRS eventually but I feel this PH should be raised to a happy medium for both DBV's and CRS. Something more around 6.4 or so. Currently there are 2 berried DBV's, one of which looks like she's due any day as the eggs have turned darker. I really want these little guys to survive. Any advice? Crushed coral? If so, how much? Or should I just leave it alone? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 DBV is deep blue velvet? Normally neos doesn't do good in acidic water. please keep it in pH>7 environment. ControSoil can push pH down to 5.5 range. it's not good for DBV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGardenofEder Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 I think with the control soil it will be hard to fight hard to say how much crushed coral you would need to fix it JamesHe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raesunrae Posted February 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 I'm so discouraged right now. I know that neo's thrive in a higher ph than CRS but I've kept them together successfully along with many other's. I read a lot of threads regarding others using Controsoil and their experience was that they began at a higher PH and it gradually lowered to the mid 6. range. This may be a stupid question but I'll ask anyway. I still have 2 new bags of UP Aqua Shrimp Sand. Would it help if I pull the Velvet's out, drain the tank, and put the Shrimp Sand on top of the Controsoil? I had originally planned to add Old Sea Mud and Silver Z Powder under the Controsoil but it arrived later than I could wait with the time I had to set the tank up. I could add that between the Controsoil and the Shrimp Sand. I just hate stressing out the Shrimp again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted February 11, 2015 Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 I use ControSoil for couple new tank setup. after fill with RO water, pH goes to 5.5 directly, and stay there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted February 11, 2015 Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 I'm so discouraged right now. I know that neo's thrive in a higher ph than CRS but I've kept them together successfully along with many other's. I read a lot of threads regarding others using Controsoil and their experience was that they began at a higher PH and it gradually lowered to the mid 6. range. This may be a stupid question but I'll ask anyway. I still have 2 new bags of UP Aqua Shrimp Sand. Would it help if I pull the Velvet's out, drain the tank, and put the Shrimp Sand on top of the Controsoil? I had originally planned to add Old Sea Mud and Silver Z Powder under the Controsoil but it arrived later than I could wait with the time I had to set the tank up. I could add that between the Controsoil and the Shrimp Sand. I just hate stressing out the Shrimp again... For neos, I will suggest to use pool sand. http://www.shrimpspot.com/index.php?/topic/2745-pool-sand-from-home-depot/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raesunrae Posted February 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 So basically I need to get rid of the Velvet's if I stay with the Controsoil or get rid of the Controsoil and do pool sand and keep Neo's only then...I want to cry right about now.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted February 11, 2015 Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 Well, you could use crushed coral in the filter. There isn't a set amount. It kind of works against the soil but that is actually what you want right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted February 11, 2015 Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 I have neos in a tank with 6.2-6.4 pH and they are growing like weeds never had a death. They actually have grown quicker and are healthier than the same stock in sand tank with pH of 7.5. I dont know if there is a magic cut off for pH on neos but in my experience they do fine down close to pH of 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raesunrae Posted February 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 Thank you! That makes me feel a little better. They all looked good this AM and I haven't had any more losses thank goodness. Both momma's are still carrying their eggs. I went ahead and picked up some crushed coral so I'm going to try a small amount and see how much it raises. I don't want to have a big PH jump of course and I don't want to have a big change in the kh and gh either although I understand that the coral will raise all three. I'm going to go with 1/8 cup in one of the canister filters unless someone tells me that's too much. Thank you to all who have replied with advice! I sure hope this works! JamesHe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Just hang in there, cross your fingers, and next time, quarantine new shrimp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raesunrae Posted February 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raesunrae Posted February 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2015 PH is at 6.5 now! KH 1 and GH 5 Ammonia 0,Nitrite 0, Nitrate <5! Shrimps doing well! Thanks again everyone! chibikaie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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