Aquael Shrimp Tanks

[smeggbert]

I'm thinking about setting up a small colony of shrimp, possibly red cherry, although I was looking into other species.

I came across this set of nano tanks, I haven't heard of the company before and was wondering if anybody has any experience with them? I was looking on youtube and noticed that the filter outflow seems quite powerful..

http/www.rocketaquatics.co.uk/aquariums-shrimp-aquariums-c-72_815.html

Or can anybody advise another small tank set up that has a similar price tag?

Lastly, some advice on a good substrate/plants (Java moss/Xmas moss?) would also be appreciated.

 

[saltynay]

Get the tank off ebay for 20-30 get 2 holes made in the tank (input/output)10. Then build this add some ceramic pots or rocks in an iwagumi style + sand/gravel. Place the pump outside the tank and let it run until cycled.

Job done

 

[smeggbert]

Not sure about building my own filter, although it does sound like an epic project! Does it have a clear benefit over a sponge filter for example?
In some of the comments you were talking of fish escaping behind the moss wall, what about infantile shrimp?

Convince me!

Does anyone else have an recommendations?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

check out my thread http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/352488-shrimp-tank-pic/

got the lot inc shrimp for under £80 nice tank for the kitchen

 

[saltynay]

It is essentially a sponge filter just made in an attractive way and kind of in reverse. Most sponge filters suck the water through the sponge with my design it pushes the water through the sponge. With a couple of modifications it could be adapted to suck the water through but this would cause detritus build up within the moss.

The moss harbours copepods and octopods encouraging there growth and reproduction that the shrimp then eat expanding their variety in diet giving better colouration and a stronger immune system.

The large surface area and output provides a high turnover with minimal flow which is ideal for shrimp.

The shrimp swimming behind the filter was because it was held by suction cups and not covered at the top, a solution would be to seal it in with silicone and place a small strip of plastic on top. The shrimp being behind never had a serious affect as they were able to climb around to both sides. The fish got through a small hole in the sponge next to the T-junction once I found it I just stuffed a little filter floss in the gap and the problem was solved.

 

[smeggbert]

check out my thread http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/352488-shrimp-tank-pic/

got the lot inc shrimp for under £80 nice tank for the kitchen

That's pretty awesome, and a good price too! Can I have some more specs? Filter/Size tank etc

It is essentially a sponge filter just made in an attractive way and kind of in reverse. Most sponge filters suck the water through the sponge with my design it pushes the water through the sponge. With a couple of modifications it could be adapted to suck the water through but this would cause detritus build up within the moss.

The moss harbours copepods and octopods encouraging there growth and reproduction that the shrimp then eat expanding their variety in diet giving better colouration and a stronger immune system.

The large surface area and output provides a high turnover with minimal flow which is ideal for shrimp.

The shrimp swimming behind the filter was because it was held by suction cups and not covered at the top, a solution would be to seal it in with silicone and place a small strip of plastic on top. The shrimp being behind never had a serious affect as they were able to climb around to both sides. The fish got through a small hole in the sponge next to the T-junction once I found it I just stuffed a little filter floss in the gap and the problem was solved.

In theory, it all sounds genius!

But i'm not entirely sure that it's ideal for my first shrimp tank! I was looking for something a little simpler.

Although I'm now in two minds.. Have you got an recent pics?

 

[saltynay]

I moved out of the UK nearly 2 years ago so sorry can't show you the finished product or 2 years matured wall. I have some blurry pics left on my photobucket mainly of other things but you can see the background.

(click to enlarge pics it takes individual clicks on subsequent images for full size)

1 month in:


2 months:


This is how I setup my 2 small tanks the filters were taken out and replaced with external pumps and the two tanks got linked by a shrimp tunnel (I didn't want the female guppies in the left tank so made it so small they couldn't get through but the male endlers/kuhli loaches/fry/shrimp/snails could). I was going to build a fluidised sand bed filter and integrate a heater bay so that the tanks would be equipment free but moved away before I got round to it.



3-4 months: