Quick question...

StevieD · 02/04/2013, 05:48 PM

Ok...I have my sand, dry rock, and water in and running. At what point do I add my shrimp and start testing? Also, right towards the end of my last 32 gallon brute fillup, i noticed my TDS meter finally read 001. At what point should I be concerened and change my membrane? I changed the other 3 filters before I started, figured the membrane would be next

keithhays · 02/04/2013, 06:25 PM

Membranes usually last 3 years if you have keep up with the carbon block changes.

Add the shrimp anytime and then walk away for two months with the lights off. Come back measure ammonia and nitrites. If they are zero, measure nitrates; there should be some. Change water until you are less than 5 ppm nitrate. Start adding a fish or two at a time waiting for the biofilter to adjust between additions.

StevieD · 02/04/2013, 06:29 PM

sweet...straight forward, I like that...I picked up the rodi unit used and never replaced the membrane but replaced the other 3 so the membrane could be due

igot2gats · 02/04/2013, 07:17 PM

If you're going the shrimp route, put it in a mesh bag so that when it breaks apart, it stays in one spot.

I wouldn't just walk away and not check your tank for 2 months. I would test every day to check that you're getting your spikes.

keithhays · 02/04/2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igot2gats

If you're going the shrimp route, put it in a mesh bag so that when it breaks apart, it stays in one spot.

I wouldn't just walk away and not check your tank for 2 months. I would test every day to check that you're getting your spikes.

I usually just go by smell.

..but I guess it does give you something to do.

StevieD · 02/04/2013, 07:44 PM

I put it in a mesh bag, its in the tank...I figured ill give it a couple days and start checking on it

keithhays · 02/04/2013, 07:50 PM

Full disclosure, I no longer use shrimp, but I did for years. I use ammonium now. No smell.

StevieD · 02/04/2013, 07:55 PM

Well hopefully it dont smell too bad but regardless, its in there now lol

keithhays · 02/04/2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieD

Well hopefully it dont smell too bad but regardless, its in there now lol

I jest, but it will go about doing its thing. I would suggest you run the tank between 82 to 84 and it will go a little faster. The bacteria are going to attack the shrimp pretty much dissolving it, but don't remove it. You just want to keep the shrimp, while they are still shrimp, from clogging up anything. Eventually, there will be a cloud of bacteria called heterotrophs that will completely disassemble it. The cloud you will see isn't the shrimp itself dissolving, its bacteria.

StevieD · 02/04/2013, 08:10 PM

Im actually pretty interested in watching the process...the temp is holding a steady 80 deg

02/04/2013, 05:48 PM	#1
StevieD Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sylvania, Oh Posts: 391	Quick question... Ok...I have my sand, dry rock, and water in and running. At what point do I add my shrimp and start testing? Also, right towards the end of my last 32 gallon brute fillup, i noticed my TDS meter finally read 001. At what point should I be concerened and change my membrane? I changed the other 3 filters before I started, figured the membrane would be next __________________ "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." Current Tank Info: 40B Tank, 29G sump, ProClear Aquatics skimmer (way oversized), Coralife 2 bulb light w/3 LED's....Exciting I know lol

02/04/2013, 06:29 PM	#3
StevieD Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sylvania, Oh Posts: 391	sweet...straight forward, I like that...I picked up the rodi unit used and never replaced the membrane but replaced the other 3 so the membrane could be due __________________ "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." Current Tank Info: 40B Tank, 29G sump, ProClear Aquatics skimmer (way oversized), Coralife 2 bulb light w/3 LED's....Exciting I know lol

02/04/2013, 07:17 PM	#4
igot2gats Deeeetroit Basketball! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,063	If you're going the shrimp route, put it in a mesh bag so that when it breaks apart, it stays in one spot. I wouldn't just walk away and not check your tank for 2 months. I would test every day to check that you're getting your spikes. __________________ Jeff Stop being lazy, and use the search function. Seriously. Current Tank Info: 75g DT / 20g sump / 20g QT - Eheim 1250, Tunze Osmolator 3155, GHL Profilux 3, 2 Tunze 6095, Tunze Wavebox, Aqua Illumination Hydra LEDs

02/04/2013, 07:44 PM	#6
StevieD Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sylvania, Oh Posts: 391	I put it in a mesh bag, its in the tank...I figured ill give it a couple days and start checking on it __________________ "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." Current Tank Info: 40B Tank, 29G sump, ProClear Aquatics skimmer (way oversized), Coralife 2 bulb light w/3 LED's....Exciting I know lol

02/04/2013, 07:55 PM	#8
StevieD Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sylvania, Oh Posts: 391	Well hopefully it dont smell too bad but regardless, its in there now lol __________________ "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." Current Tank Info: 40B Tank, 29G sump, ProClear Aquatics skimmer (way oversized), Coralife 2 bulb light w/3 LED's....Exciting I know lol

02/04/2013, 06:25 PM	#2
keithhays Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,259	Membranes usually last 3 years if you have keep up with the carbon block changes. Add the shrimp anytime and then walk away for two months with the lights off. Come back measure ammonia and nitrites. If they are zero, measure nitrates; there should be some. Change water until you are less than 5 ppm nitrate. Start adding a fish or two at a time waiting for the biofilter to adjust between additions.

02/04/2013, 07:50 PM	#7
keithhays Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,259	Full disclosure, I no longer use shrimp, but I did for years. I use ammonium now. No smell.

02/04/2013, 08:10 PM	#10
StevieD Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sylvania, Oh Posts: 391	Im actually pretty interested in watching the process...the temp is holding a steady 80 deg __________________ "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." Current Tank Info: 40B Tank, 29G sump, ProClear Aquatics skimmer (way oversized), Coralife 2 bulb light w/3 LED's....Exciting I know lol