Why can't I keep shrimp?
- Thread starter Bill14
- Start date
RBU1
Moving on Up
Yes salinity is a good one...
Bill.....I would be surprised if it is the salt. In my opinion if it had anything to do with the salt you would be losing more than shrimp.
I also don't feel Iodine has anything to do with it because that only becomes an issue at molting time. In my case all shrimp died in 3 days at most...
Please keep us poasted.
Bill.....I would be surprised if it is the salt. In my opinion if it had anything to do with the salt you would be losing more than shrimp.
I also don't feel Iodine has anything to do with it because that only becomes an issue at molting time. In my case all shrimp died in 3 days at most...
Please keep us poasted.
Bill14
Member
In my case, shrimp would last a week or two so I'm not ruling out an iodine deficiency. I agree the salt is likely not the problem, but this wasn't the only reason I decided to switch.
One other thing to note that I'm not sure I've mentioned is my pod population is non existent. I noticed a few amphipods during the cycle and haven't seen one in months. I've tried a couple of times to seed my fuge with pods from others tanks and I never see them after they are added. I do search the tank when the lights are out and the fuge when the fuge lights are off and no sign of anything other then tiny brittle stars and bristleworms. Not sure if it's related, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
One other thing to note that I'm not sure I've mentioned is my pod population is non existent. I noticed a few amphipods during the cycle and haven't seen one in months. I've tried a couple of times to seed my fuge with pods from others tanks and I never see them after they are added. I do search the tank when the lights are out and the fuge when the fuge lights are off and no sign of anything other then tiny brittle stars and bristleworms. Not sure if it's related, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
Bill14
Member
I thought I would update this thread. About two or three months ago, I started noticing a ton of pods in my system when previously there were none. The amphipods were getting huge and I was even seeing their molts float around the system occasionally. I attribute the initial population increase to an upgrade in lighting that seems to have caused a healthier production of microalgaes. My rockwork was almost sterile looking before. I did also experience a hair algae outbreak (nutrient issue, not lighting) which helped the population to really explode.
Anyway, after noticing the pods were sustained for a little over a month, I decided to try out some more shrimp. I purchased three peppermint shrimp on 8/10. They were all accounted for today and I did find one molt the end of last week. This is the longest I've had shrimp survive in this system. I purchased a cleaner shrimp the end of last week and it seems to be doing well so far. Time will tell if the root of the problem was fixed and I'm not sure I'll ever truly know the cause of my previous problems. I do believe that not having a complete ecosystem and the missing microfauna were at least part of the issue. My tank appears healthier to me (minus the nutrient issue) at least.
Anyway, after noticing the pods were sustained for a little over a month, I decided to try out some more shrimp. I purchased three peppermint shrimp on 8/10. They were all accounted for today and I did find one molt the end of last week. This is the longest I've had shrimp survive in this system. I purchased a cleaner shrimp the end of last week and it seems to be doing well so far. Time will tell if the root of the problem was fixed and I'm not sure I'll ever truly know the cause of my previous problems. I do believe that not having a complete ecosystem and the missing microfauna were at least part of the issue. My tank appears healthier to me (minus the nutrient issue) at least.
