Shrimp only tank

Claudia1002

I've got a tall 5 gallon tank. It's a low tech planted tank with an Amazon Sword and two Anubias. The dimensions are 13"W x 11.25"W x 15.5".
I'm considering turning it into a shrimp tank. Is the floor space too small for cherry shrimp you think? I'm not sure it grows enough algae to feed them though.

Oldfishlady

IMO/E, it should be fine for a shrimp only tank, I would drop a small amount of food in once a week and what the shrimp don't eat the plants will use for food. And the live plants should help keep the nitrate low for them too. What kind of substrate are you using?
I keep lots of shrimp both the red cherry and the yellow color morph, due to the massive reproduction I have moved some in my 1g NPT betta tanks and they are doing just fine.

Angel079

That size is just fine. You may be interested reading this http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/f...keeping-37012/
If you like to see set up ideas feel free to look under my aquarium log here there's a few shrimp farms
The biggest issue you often run into if its a brand new set up (non established by eg. fish) shrimp are VERY intolerant to any NO's and that can have terminal affects.
I had shrimp tanks for many many yrs now so if I can be of any help there with specific info just lemme know
Little or no fed shrimps will not go eat plants!

Claudia1002

Will take a look.

This tank is several years old and usually has a betta. My betta recently passed (he was several years old). Right now, it's a quarantine tank until I get my 60 gallon stocked.

I'm still not decided. I love bettas but at the same time, shrimp are so interesting. I'd like some for the 60 gallon but I'm afraid that the angels and yo-yo loaches might like them a little too much. It's a densely planted tank, so maybe they'd be fine?

Angel079

There's nothing holding you back to have a Betta with the shrimp; one of my set ups has a Betta in it, wasn't planned like that but now that the guy is here that's his home And its causing no problems whatsoever.

Yea between the Angels & yo-yo's I'd pers not "test" how quick they can snack them neither. Or at least if you really have to add larger shrimp species to that tank like Bamboo, Green Lace or Amano Shrimp.

Claudia1002

Oooh, I could do a moss wall!

Angel079

I recently built a moss wall & carpet for my "New Shrimp farm" its VERY neat specially cause it grows sooo fast.

Claudia1002

So, I went with a Dwarf Puffer.


He's by himself (or it might be a she) with three ghost shrimp. So far, the puffer hasn't had any interest in the ghost shrimp even though they've met.
And if they become a snack, they were feeder shrimp to begin with.

Anywho, the tiny fish gets lost in the five gallon. lol
Interesting little bugger though.

Angel079

Aww that's ASKING for a PICTURE