Substrate choice for CRS Shrimp setup

Discussion in 'Invertebrates' started by Nathanael, Oct 20, 2017.

  1. Nathanael
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    Nathanael Aquascaper

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    Hi guys,

    I want to start a shrimp tank for some baby CRS shrimp but need some advice on which substrate to use;

    Choices are -

    Shrimp King or Akadama

    Also would the professionals go with adding the substrate to buckets to place in tank or directly into tank?

    Thanks guys!

    Regards
    Nate


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  2. jakkalsbothma
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    jakkalsbothma Aquascaper

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    Hi Nate

    Shrimp King Soil is absolutely magic!


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  3. Yazeed Bassadien
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    Yazeed Bassadien Noob

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    Hi Nate....where do you get Akadama?anyone in sa that sells?
     
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  4. f-fish+plants
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    f-fish+plants Aquascaper

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  5. Nathanael
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    Thanks guys,

    I currently have both substrates and can't make up my mind on which one to use.

    I like the black substrate look but haven't seen the Akadama in my aquariums yet.

    The other obstacle is the ammonia leaching from Shrimp king soil. Akadama does not leach ammonia?




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  6. Trev Pleco
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    Trev Pleco Algae destroyer

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    Have a large breeding tank with 3 plastic large trays for the substrate, 60mm thick of substrate in each, one with ADA, SK and Black Earth. Shrimp seem to show no preference at this point, let's see how it progresses over time..

    SK is way overpriced in SA.
     
  7. f-fish+plants
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    f-fish+plants Aquascaper

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    I just ordered a few bags and some of the leca as a why not. Expect delivery to JHB to be a few days so will have to wait and see.. Running out of tanks but that is a different problem right.

    Akadama at R34 per l shipped to JHB is not bad and the double red seems to be the type the guys on the net punt as the best from Akadama for plants and cows.

    So a per L comparison ...

    Langa 499 for 8l so R62 /l but probably also over priced.
    Hayclay 250 for 25l so R10/l
    Leca R300 for 25l so R12/l


    Later Ferdie
     
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  8. Nathanael
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    Nathanael Aquascaper

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    [​IMG]

    Is this the one? See the price for sale in PE!

    I bought mine from bonsai tree

    Yeah the guys have been punting Akadama and hence my confusion as Shrimp king good too. But the Akadama price is way better and bonsai tree in my neck of the woods.

    I am leaning towards the Akadama though.


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  9. f-fish+plants
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    f-fish+plants Aquascaper

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    Yeah just be sure .. some have also reported way back that Akadama has a rep for killing shrimp and plants over time. So it could be a debatable point for some. Me I like trying stuff ... and well with ADA being MIA .. will play with the Akadama a bit.

    That price is crazy ..
     
  10. Trev Pleco
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    Trev Pleco Algae destroyer

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    worth a try
    to quote -
    ''There are several varieties of Akadama that hold up under water, based upon experiences others have shared in various shrimp forums. Double Red Line just appears to hold up the best. It's hit or miss on buffering, however.

    It became popular with European and Asian shrimpers because it's cheap and typically available at bonsai shops. In the United States, it's no more affordable than other products that buffer water for extended periods of time unless you can buy it down the street and carry it home.

    Nothing looks quite like Akadama, though, not even the lighter ADA products. It's a really great aesthetic in shrimp tanks. I love to use the smaller grain as an accent substrate instead of sand.''
     
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  11. f-fish+plants
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    f-fish+plants Aquascaper

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    Yeah ... I like the " looks quite like Akadama" .. hence me getting a few bags .. lets call it an itch that needs a scratch.
     
  12. Nathanael
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    Nathanael Aquascaper

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    Yeah I have seen Marks Shrimp on you tube and he loves Akadama, especially for the pH buffering.

    I have seen a few different packaging for Akadama and different granular sizes.

    Let's get it started then!




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  13. Quintin
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    Quintin Green fingers

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    I hear sk doesnt leach. Can add shrimp same day.langa does leach. And looks as if ADA will be back next year

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  14. f-fish+plants
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    f-fish+plants Aquascaper

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    That is good new ... my first ADA substrate tank is now up for a rescape and some new ADA.

    [​IMG]

    That was 29 Jan 2012 ...

    Maybe I make this an Akadama tank.
     
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  15. Nathanael
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    Nathanael Aquascaper

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    Maybe? Yes please make it a Akadama tank. Time to start a new trend? Ferdie we have to innovate till ADA gets back in town...

    I need some sponges for my sponge filter before setting up my Akadama tank!


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  16. f-fish+plants
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    f-fish+plants Aquascaper

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    Well first I need to get the Akadama ... so will probably only do it next weekend.

    Think I will look at adding OC+ at start also.

    Later Ferdie
     
  17. Nathanael
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    Nathanael Aquascaper

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    Yeah reminds me to ask @Trev Pleco,

    What are the substrate additives when starting up a shrimp tank, is it beta glucan?

    I am not sure if I saw some at aquatic warehouse? Are their any other additives?


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  18. Lightweight
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    Lightweight Green fingers

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    Started a fishroom or would I rather say shrimp room a week a go .I have 5 substrates in divided up in 10 tanks . Thus 2 tanks akadama, 2 Langa etc. the substrates
    Akadama,shrimp king ,Langa ,playsand( for neocardina )and Help advance soil for shrimp.
    Tank is standard 2 feet .

    Immediate differences is the akadama and Help advance soil bringing pH down to 5.8-5.9. Shrimp king 6.2 both tanks and langa 6.6-6.7 .
    Playsand 7.4
    I tested with liquid tester JBL .

    KH unchanged and GH unchanged . Using RO water. Did not test KH and GH on playsand.

    The cycling :cannot report as it changes day by day and will not be fair pointing out one above the other.
     
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  19. Nathanael
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    Nathanael Aquascaper

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    Thanks for the feedback @Lightweight!

    With those pH readings on the Akadama it can only be good for the CRS range


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  20. f-fish+plants
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    f-fish+plants Aquascaper

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    Yeah the thing that is making Akadama attractive in my limited thinking is that it collected, and not fired like LECA, Hayblay etc.

    In some of my smaller tanks the Langa under performed, looking at plant growth - well actually Langa has done better in mixed substrate tanks where I mixed the Langa with Hayblay ... but this was all plants.

    Keen to rescape most of my pico's with Akadama so lets see.

    Later Ferdie
     

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