Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Mhay · 04/25/2014, 07:45 AM

I am looking to add a pair of these guys and just want to make sure my tank is stable enough for them before I go and get them. It has been up for 3 months and as of earlier this week I finally have some algae(diatoms)... I know, I know, sounds silly to be happy to see algae but I had NOTHING up until then and wasn't able to sustain a CUC. I previously stopped running my carbon and GFO and as of 2 days ago started that back up again. I plan to do about a 30% water change this weekend and then get the shrimp. My parameters are as follows:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 11ish(I am hoping my water change will help bring this down along with switching out filter socks every 2-3 days rather than once a week)
Phos - .08(Hoping that will also go down now that GFO is back up and running. It was at about .04 when I had it running before)
Alk - 6.7
Mg - 1480
Ca - 365
pH - ~8
Temp - 78

I know some of those parameters don't really matter to shrimp but it's mainly the Nitrates I'm worrying about. I don't want to set myself up for failure.

MacWilliams · 04/25/2014, 08:01 AM

Your nitrates are fine at 11. Nothing bad there. The Ca should be brought up to over 400 at least. Phosphates need to be reduced as much as you can obviously but with water changes and like you said the GFO will help. Ca should rise with a bigger water change.

You mention wanting to add a CUC but you're adding a Skunk Cleaner? Are you hoping they will eat the algae or you just like those Shrimp and want to add them asap? From my understanding they do not clean anything but fish. They are great shrimp and i have 1 as well and I absolutely love its personality.

Mhay · 04/25/2014, 08:06 AM

I am hoping with the water change my Ca will be brought up. I do have dosing for Ca and Mg if needed as well. I plan to add a CUC(snails) along with the Skunk. I just love their personality and looks, that is the main reason I would like to add them. I just read on Live aquaria that they are sensitive to high nitrates. I'm exact what "high" is defined as though. I'd ideally like to have 0-.25 nitrates so 11 to me is high.

sponger0 · 04/25/2014, 08:10 AM

Raise your alk before putting the shrimp in and get it stable between 9-11.

Mhay · 04/25/2014, 08:33 AM

9-11? It was previously at 8.1 and I was told that was okay level to be at. Of course it needs to be stable at that. Will doing a water change help with raising the alk?

sponger0 · 04/25/2014, 08:36 AM

It can. They sell alk raising products but also baking soda will work.

6 is way low. 8 is fine but your best keeping it between 8-11. I prefer 9-11

Mhay · 04/25/2014, 08:43 AM

Alright. I'll do the water change and see where I sit and go from there. Would it be detrimental to the shrimp if I add them with the alk that low?

Mhay · 04/25/2014, 08:47 AM

Also, looks like it's time to start kalkwasser.

sponger0 · 04/25/2014, 08:47 AM

It could. I had one die when my alk was low. There was no other reason so I chalked it up as the alk

Mhay · 04/25/2014, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

It could. I had one die when my alk was low. There was no other reason so I chalked it up as the alk

Alright! Thanks for the input!

ThisGuy12 · 04/25/2014, 12:41 PM

Do me a favor when you get them and they are finally comfortable in the tank (mine hang out in a dim-lit cave as a "cleaning swimthrough" sort of deal), put your hand near them and just hold it there.

The shrimp will pick at your hand, it's the weirdest sensation ever freaked the hell out of me the first time he did it.

I guess "Jaqcue clean" is true (reference from Finding Nemo if you couldn't pick it up).

Mhay · 04/25/2014, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisGuy12

Do me a favor when you get them and they are finally comfortable in the tank (mine hang out in a dim-lit cave as a "cleaning swimthrough" sort of deal), put your hand near them and just hold it there.

The shrimp will pick at your hand, it's the weirdest sensation ever freaked the hell out of me the first time he did it.

I guess "Jaqcue clean" is true (reference from Finding Nemo if you couldn't pick it up).

My boyfriend has a 29 biocube and has one and he does that. He jumps right on and starts picking at you. It's so cool. I just love their goofy little personalities.

ganjero · 04/25/2014, 01:42 PM

Do you have any corals? What corals are you planning to have (if any)?
Parameters seem ok for shrimp.
I do not see the need to raise CA or ALK? Why are people suggesting that if the question is about adding shrimp? I don't know.
pH, CA and ALK are fine and balanced at the levels you have, and if you are going to add kalk that should slowly give you higher values.

Mhay · 04/25/2014, 01:55 PM

No corals as of yet. I plan to in the future.. not 100% on what. It will start out very basic tho: zoas, softies, etc.
Good to know my params are okay for the shrimp but I know once I get into the coral aspect my Ca and Alk will need to be raised.

JR8999 · 04/25/2014, 03:22 PM

Have only snails and 2 cleaners for now...those 2 skunks have so much personality that i don't mind not adding fish just yet.

04/25/2014, 07:45 AM	#1
Mhay Crazy Cat Lady Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 468	Skunk Cleaner Shrimp I am looking to add a pair of these guys and just want to make sure my tank is stable enough for them before I go and get them. It has been up for 3 months and as of earlier this week I finally have some algae(diatoms)... I know, I know, sounds silly to be happy to see algae but I had NOTHING up until then and wasn't able to sustain a CUC. I previously stopped running my carbon and GFO and as of 2 days ago started that back up again. I plan to do about a 30% water change this weekend and then get the shrimp. My parameters are as follows: Ammonia - 0 Nitrite - 0 Nitrate - 11ish(I am hoping my water change will help bring this down along with switching out filter socks every 2-3 days rather than once a week) Phos - .08(Hoping that will also go down now that GFO is back up and running. It was at about .04 when I had it running before) Alk - 6.7 Mg - 1480 Ca - 365 pH - ~8 Temp - 78 I know some of those parameters don't really matter to shrimp but it's mainly the Nitrates I'm worrying about. I don't want to set myself up for failure. __________________ Maggie Current Tank Info: Coralife Biocube 29

04/25/2014, 08:06 AM	#3
Mhay Crazy Cat Lady Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 468	I am hoping with the water change my Ca will be brought up. I do have dosing for Ca and Mg if needed as well. I plan to add a CUC(snails) along with the Skunk. I just love their personality and looks, that is the main reason I would like to add them. I just read on Live aquaria that they are sensitive to high nitrates. I'm exact what "high" is defined as though. I'd ideally like to have 0-.25 nitrates so 11 to me is high. __________________ Maggie Current Tank Info: Coralife Biocube 29

04/25/2014, 08:33 AM	#5
Mhay Crazy Cat Lady Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 468	9-11? It was previously at 8.1 and I was told that was okay level to be at. Of course it needs to be stable at that. Will doing a water change help with raising the alk? __________________ Maggie Current Tank Info: Coralife Biocube 29

04/25/2014, 08:43 AM	#7
Mhay Crazy Cat Lady Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 468	Alright. I'll do the water change and see where I sit and go from there. Would it be detrimental to the shrimp if I add them with the alk that low? __________________ Maggie Current Tank Info: Coralife Biocube 29

04/25/2014, 08:47 AM	#8
Mhay Crazy Cat Lady Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 468	Also, looks like it's time to start kalkwasser. __________________ Maggie Current Tank Info: Coralife Biocube 29

04/25/2014, 08:01 AM	#2
MacWilliams Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 410	Your nitrates are fine at 11. Nothing bad there. The Ca should be brought up to over 400 at least. Phosphates need to be reduced as much as you can obviously but with water changes and like you said the GFO will help. Ca should rise with a bigger water change. You mention wanting to add a CUC but you're adding a Skunk Cleaner? Are you hoping they will eat the algae or you just like those Shrimp and want to add them asap? From my understanding they do not clean anything but fish. They are great shrimp and i have 1 as well and I absolutely love its personality.

04/25/2014, 08:10 AM	#4
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Raise your alk before putting the shrimp in and get it stable between 9-11.

04/25/2014, 08:36 AM	#6
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	It can. They sell alk raising products but also baking soda will work. 6 is way low. 8 is fine but your best keeping it between 8-11. I prefer 9-11

04/25/2014, 12:41 PM	#11
ThisGuy12 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 822	Do me a favor when you get them and they are finally comfortable in the tank (mine hang out in a dim-lit cave as a "cleaning swimthrough" sort of deal), put your hand near them and just hold it there. The shrimp will pick at your hand, it's the weirdest sensation ever freaked the hell out of me the first time he did it. I guess "Jaqcue clean" is true (reference from Finding Nemo if you couldn't pick it up).

04/25/2014, 01:42 PM	#13
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	Do you have any corals? What corals are you planning to have (if any)? Parameters seem ok for shrimp. I do not see the need to raise CA or ALK? Why are people suggesting that if the question is about adding shrimp? I don't know. pH, CA and ALK are fine and balanced at the levels you have, and if you are going to add kalk that should slowly give you higher values.

04/25/2014, 01:55 PM	#14
Mhay Crazy Cat Lady Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 468	No corals as of yet. I plan to in the future.. not 100% on what. It will start out very basic tho: zoas, softies, etc. Good to know my params are okay for the shrimp but I know once I get into the coral aspect my Ca and Alk will need to be raised. __________________ Maggie Current Tank Info: Coralife Biocube 29

04/25/2014, 03:22 PM	#15
JR8999 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 345	Have only snails and 2 cleaners for now...those 2 skunks have so much personality that i don't mind not adding fish just yet. __________________ 56g Column DT, 11g Aqueon sump with/socks, Lifereef overflow, Aqumaxx HOB-1 Skimmer, 2 Jaebo heaters, DT: 2 OC Clowns and 1 Royal Gramma along with various corals grown from frags. Current Tank Info: 56g Column