Just wondering, what sort of fertilizer you guys use for a shrimp tank other than ADA?

My 2ft planted tank already cycle more than 6 months, got 1 oto and 7 neon tetra inside. Recently bought 3 yamato, 2 died left 1. Few days later it seem alright so go bought 10 yamato and 15 cherry. After put them in, 2nd day the shrimp slowly die off one by one, saw the neon was after them so catch every out and put into gold fish tank. Now is the 3rd day, only around 3-5 yamato/cherry left...

The shrimp sometimes will swim around here and there, sometimes will stay at a spot and catch algae. But suddenly will just stay there not moving, when I use the tweezer to touch only found out it already dead.

I used to keep cherry shrimp before this, using stone, HOB and 18w light with moss and hair algae inside the same tank, the cherry was living fine and even breed. Now with the same tank but planted tank and better filtration (eheim 2213), it seem to be not good for them??

Thinking to get some test kit to ensure the tank is alright before I ever buy any shrimp. What sort of test kit should I get? NO2, NO3, ammonia, PH??

Thanks.

2ft standard tank, 2x1x1
2.5L CO2 tank + solenoid
Hopar T5 14w x 3 (was 4 but 1 burnt)
Eheim 2213 (cheap bio-ring -> blue pad -> JBL MicroMec -> blue pad -> white pad)
Holland sand + Azoo root fertilizer

I believe the bio-system already stable down because previously there is oil layer, I force to use the surface skimmer. Recently the oil layer disappear. Wonder what could be the issue...

surface skimmer is too bulky for 2ft tank also no oil layer, no point to put that.

This post has been edited by ching4ever: Mar 23 2009, 02:47 PM

Sometimes they do at the top later, sometimes will stay down at the bottom. Seldom really see them crawling, yamato looks much stable than cherry.

What is the correct figure I should get for ammonia, no2 and no3? Ammonia must be 0, NO3 must be 0, right? How bout NO2?

Alright, will go get the test kit and test the water first before I introduce anymore shrimp inside the tank. Thanks.

From what I've seen from Taiwan forum, once the eco-system become good, oil layer will automatically disappear because it's been clear by those good bacteria. It did happen to my tank now, no surface skimmer, no fish, only plants but no more oil issue after half year the tank been setup.