Couple Questions...

[kikireef]

I will be adding my first couple fish this week to my 125 gallon tank and had some questions regarding them...

1. I would like 2 true perculas, 1 cleaner shrimp, and 2 peppermint shrimp. Is this too much at once for 125 gallons?

2. I have a bit of an brown diatom algae outbreak and heard the peppermint shrimp can help with the problem along with some snails that are already in the tank. True?

3. Will I likely run into problems with the cleaner shrimp since the tank is not very established yet?

4. I heard the cleaner shrimp will eat left over food off the rocks and he shouldn't be a big worry early in a tanks life. True?

Thanks in advance for the support.

 

[PRDubois]

Is the tank done cycleing and stable?
How long has it been up?
What are your water prams?

 

[kikireef]

Tank is done cycling. Has been for about 4 days. Won't be adding anything for about another 4 days...assuming I get the ok from everyone here lol.
Ammonia=0
nitrite=0
nitrate=10ppm
phosphate=.01
Ph=8.2
Salinity=1.025

The tank took about 4 weeks to cycle.

 

[PRDubois]

1. I would like 2 true perculas, 1 cleaner shrimp, and 2 peppermint shrimp. Is this too much at once for 125 gallons?
I would say you are fine to add this group. Buy I would not add the peppermints

Or should I say be perpared to loose the peppermints. May live, may die.

2. I have a bit of an brown diatom algae outbreak and heard the peppermint shrimp can help with the problem along with some snails that are already in the tank. True?
I dont know, but I have found Pepermints hard to keep.

3. Will I likely run into problems with the cleaner shrimp since the tank is not very established yet?
Cleaner Shrimp will be fine - Pepermints may have issues

4. I heard the cleaner shrimp will eat left over food off the rocks and he shouldn't be a big worry early in a tanks life. True?
TRUE - Cleaner Shrimp eat the food the fish do not get to.

:rollface:

 

[THE ROOK]

A Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp would be a good alternative. Very active & bright colors.

 

[IslandCrow]

I've never had any issues with peppermint shrimp. . .well, except when I had my wrasse (lesson learned), so it may be tank dependant. Appearance aside, I much prefer peppermint shrimp to cleaner shrimp (peppermints are actually a type of cleaner shrimp by the way). My skunk cleaner shrimp were always the biggest thieves, stealing food from my corals and anemone, making it nearly impossible to feed either. The peppermint shrimp are pretty noctournal, though, so don't expect to see them much; at least not early on. I don't see them doing much, if anything, for your diatoms. If the diatoms are on the sand, I've found hermit crabs to be some of the best things to get. If it's on the glass or rocks, snails are more efficient.

Otherwise, exactly what Paul said.

 

[HumbleLobster]

I've had the reverse experience with my peppermint/cleaner shrimps. My peppermint is the one who always is stealing food from my acans and other LPS, while my cleaner is a model citizen. It really goes to show that its a toss up on what you're going to get personality wise with your shrimp. Other than that, I've never had any problems with my livestock.

As far as adding them, I'd say you are good to go. But as others said, be ready to not see your peppermints, they are nocturnal.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Do you have a good assortment of snails in your tank? They will help keep the algae at bay.

 

[w16227]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15095778#post15095778 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kikireef
Tank is done cycling. Has been for about 4 days. Won't be adding anything for about another 4 days...assuming I get the ok from everyone here lol.
Ammonia=0
nitrite=0
nitrate=10ppm
phosphate=.01
Ph=8.2
Salinity=1.025

The tank took about 4 weeks to cycle.

Nitrates are still somewhat high. No real problem for fish - buy the shrimp may not tolerate this. I believe that Nitrate should be below 2 for most inverts.

If the trates were down - you would probably be OK with the additions. In my 125 - my first additions were 2 clowns, 1 rabbitfish, and several clean up animals (shrimp, snails, hermits).

However- I waited until I had undetectable levels of the "big three" (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) before adding.

After adding the fish (since the tank is so new) - you should make sure to test the water often. Once a day is not overdoing it. Have extra saltwater on hand for water changes in case anything goes south.