Doc4PC2 Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 Hi, I have a 10 gallon cycled tank that I want to use as a backup system for my shrimp. Just in case of emergencies, so I have a tank all ready for the shrimp, if something were to happen to my main shrimp tank. What is the best way to keep it cycled? Is there some tropical fish that would do fine with shrimp water parameters? Should I just put in some ottos and plecos, and use them to keep it cycled? Water is: RO Water with Bee Shrimp Minerals GH+ TDS - 135 to 150 Temp 72 to 73 degrees F PH - 6.4 to 6.6 KH - 0 to 2 GH - 4 to 6 Had dual sponge filter, penguin BioWheel 200 HOB, air stones, Malaysia Drift Wood, 1/2 Xmas moss floor, and Xmas moss on one side of the wall, two peat pellet cups, some decorations. Anyone have some advice on how to keep it cycled and going, so it is always ready for shrimp, in an emergency? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMG Aquatics Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 You could just keep about 6 danios in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00camaro16 Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 So you aren't going to have baby shrimp in there? I just looked at alot of threads about this all over the Web, everything I read said anything but Ottos make having a colony harder (not impossible) but since it isn't your main just a back up maybe that isn't a concern and alot of options open up. Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 You could keep some cheap cherry shrimp in there , male endlers livebearers , even a planted tank with nothing else will be nice and keeps the tank cycled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc4PC2 Posted May 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 Louie, that's a good idea, so I could keep a some plants in the tank and nothing else, and with the water parameters that I keep for shrimp, the plants will keep the tank cycled? Like moss, anacharis, and cabomba? Will those keep the tank cycled with no animals? I do have a section setup for the baby shrimp, and I keep a small otto in each section where the shrimp are, but that is only fish I allow with the shrimp is the otto, because everything I know, says, that the otto is the only fish that is 100% safe with shrimp, even fry. But this extra 10 gallon, I want it to have the same water parameters as the main shrimp tank, so that I have it incase of an emergency. So, it's there, if all of a sudden I have to transfer them all to the emergency tank, it is ready, and they will be alright in the 10 gallon temporarily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 You may want to have a marina breeder box ready if that is the reason to have the tank. That way the params are fine, but they are separated from your fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc4PC2 Posted May 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 that's a good idea too, I could still put some fish in there to keep it cycled, and then put in the breeder box, so the fish can't get to them. Does anyone know of some fish that do great with the same water parameters of the Shrimp? With the low ph - 6.2 to 6.6 max, 72 degrees, KH of 0 to 1, Gh of 4 to 6, TDS of 150, RO water, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 Doc, A planted tank will keep the tank cycled but looking at a planted tank without adding something is hard too do , lol. I had an extra 20 gallon in my garage but finally caught a fairly tame wild leopard gecko which was living under my dryer in the garage and put the skinny fellow in the tank , got him/her some crickets . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc4PC2 Posted May 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 lol , I can see your point, for sure.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.