Crystal Red Naoki Tank

[imke_j]

A little update from the tank, now with basalt gravel:

imke_j_shrimp_01.jpgimke_j_shrimp_05.jpgimke_j_shrimp_06.jpgimke_j_shrimp_02.jpgimke_j_shrimp_04.jpgimke_j_shrimp_03.jpg

[Kazuya]

I'm jealous. Where do you get your shrimp from?

Great looking pictures.

[imke_j]

I'm jealous. Where do you get your shrimp from?

Great looking pictures.

Thanks Kazuya! Serach for Gamba in Heinsberg to locate the shop.

Yesterday, I stated some trouble with my water parameter:
2011-532.jpg

I have been doing a water test in my Crystal Red tank for the first time since I moved them to basalt gravel. The result was alerting:

• pH 7.5
• PO4 / Phosphate: 0.8 mg/l
• NO3 / Nitrate: 5-10 mg/l

As the phosphate reading is way too high, I did large water change, added Zeolite, and removed unnecessary leaves/woods/moss and organic parts. My tap water has no PO4. Today, the whites of the CR already had improved massively.

[Yiannis]

Hi Imke,
about your previous substrate in this tank, the Akadama Ibaraki.. Did you come up with a conclusion after all about disolving and turning to dust? Was it a bad batch of that brand or Ibaraki does that anyway?? I have a tank running with this substrate for the last three months. Everything seems ok and my Crystals are happy...but as I noticed, it took in your case about 5 months before disolving. What should I expect in the coming months? Any experience from other hobyists?
Regards

[imke_j]

I am sorry I cannot help you with the Iberaki Akadama. Tend to say that it maybe was a bad batch, however - you never know.

[Yiannis]

Thanks for the prompt reply Imke!
I guess all I have to do is...cross my fingers and wait ! I will inform the forum about the results of this case, if it turns to be negative in the next months.

[imke_j]

As my tank has been some kind of overcrowded, i sent around 60 shrimp to a friend of mine, and kept the best for my breeding group. I now plan to run that tank bare bottom. Besides, I perhaps will soften the water (lower the KH) with RO water. When I have enough time, I will start with it next Monday.

[bikersoy]

I think is best, try to keep the CRS with a little rough water was a great idea but difficult to achieve.
Good luck with your new project, I'm also trying something so I think it is easier to work with a bare tank for breeding

[andriuslink]

What for are those leaves on the bottom?
And what flora there is on the surface (hanging upside down) of aquarium?
Thanks in advance.

[imke_j]

What for are those leaves on the bottom?
And what flora there is on the surface (hanging upside down) of aquarium?
Thanks in advance.

The leaves are stinging nettle on the photos, but I also feed walnut a lot. The swimming plants are Pistia stratiotes, to lower NO3.