Substrate and Shrimp

[NanoDave]

Is it better to have gravel in a shrimp tank or without? I think they have a big disadvantage, that is debris can get accumulated inside but the their advantage is mostly only aesthetic value..

What do you think?

[retardo]

If and when they get into the gravel, which isn't a bad things, since plants will use the nutrients from the waste. A gravel vac can suck all of the poop out pretty easily. Aesthetically, you won't even notice that the poop is there. On the other hand, with a bare bottom tank, you will see all of the waste. Plants will still use any byproducts of the poop. Whichever route you go, tank maintenance will still be key to having healthy shrimp.

[NanoDave]

If and when they get into the gravel, which isn't a bad things, since plants will use the nutrients from the waste. A gravel vac can suck all of the poop out pretty easily. Aesthetically, you won't even notice that the poop is there. On the other hand, with a bare bottom tank, you will see all of the waste. Plants will still use any byproducts of the poop. Whichever route you go, tank maintenance will still be key to having healthy shrimp.

True, if you want to be lazy then sorry shrimps are out of the question! Go keep some non-living things instead!

Its precisely because you can't notice the poop in the gravel that might not be a good thing.. it might create hydrogen sulphide and harmful bacteria instead?

[retardo]

A good maintenance routine using a gravel vac to remove any poop is always a good idea. However, if you have MTS coexisting with shrimp in a heavily planted tank, you don't have to worry too much about hydrogen sulfide or anaerobic bacteria in your gravel. Beneficial bacteria will eat away at the waste and convert it so that plants can use it, while the MTS will keep your gravel from compacting and creating spaces for anaerobic bacteria to build. BTW, this compacting is a lot less likely with gravel when compared to sand or soil substrates. Shrimp create a relatively low bioload so chances are that plants will use it up faster than they can poop (unless you're overstocked). This, of course, is no excuse for not maintaining a good cleaning schedule.

[silane]

Shrimps are more stress prone in a bare bottom tank, as they have nothing to grip on. Moreover, not all crustaceans can do well on smooth surface, that lead to stress which is known as Thigmotactic Response.



retardo, what is MTS?

[turbomkt]

MTS is Malaysian Trumpet Snail. Well known for burrowing through the substrate, keeping things stirred up.

[gnatster]

Also a livebearing snail that can reach epic numbers if left unchecked.

[turbomkt]

Also a livebearing snail that can reach epic numbers if left unchecked.

Quite true...I was scooping 50 out at a time just by getting the ones floating on the surface. One day I think I took out about 200.

But at least they aren't harmful to anything that I know of.

[NanoDave]

Shrimps are more stress prone in a bare bottom tank, as they have nothing to grip on. Moreover, not all crustaceans can do well on smooth surface, that lead to stress which is known as Thigmotactic Response.


Thanks :)

Would it be better to have just a thin layer if I take out all rooted plants? :)

[retardo]

The best environment you can provide is a fully planted tank (roots and all) with a few inches of gravel, and possibly some rocks. That way, they have plenty of places to hide and a natural feeding ground. They will have both decaying plants and micro-algae to feed on, in addition to anything else you may feed them to give them variety. When they breed, which I firmly believe will happen sooner with this setup, the baby shrimp will have plenty of "natural" places to hide and encourage them to grow faster.