Breeding Shrimp Tank Setup for Caridina

Today I'm setting up two new tanks for Caridina shrimp with an undergravel filter but this time is different from my previous setups. Instead of an acrylic box, I'm going to make a full-width UGF at the back of the tanks.
Shrimps Affair bacterial powder for growing biofilm and green walls is also available in my eBay shop:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266500610826
UGF box full set:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266712010252
Shrimp food that I'm using and highly recommended (from Tai Cheng)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266554881959
How to make UGF box from glass:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqeWd2OKmLOke7s
MY LIGHT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXuXaZhsgLJpo68
How I built my shrimp rack:
Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haqmkJVqZrp2qqc
Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXuXaZhsgLJpo68
How I made my auto top off system:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIrTp6qXhtlnh8k
❤️ My OTHER KZbin channel - kzbin.info/door/n27JThScJPvOUvJQ8ZhcFg
❤️ Follow me on Facebook: shrimpmania777

[@shrimplabusa]

Another great video! Love this so much and the technique is inspiring. Just got a new rack and was planning on utilizing this same method. I’m tired of shrimp hiding behind my UGF boxes. Plus, like you said the more water passing through the soil the better. Also appreciate the soil testing! 🙌🏽 Cheers and keep up the great work!

[@ShrimpMania]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. UGF box works ok but I think this method looks better and allow you to maximise all space at the back and as you said without annoying gaps as well.

[@jonbuckley]

You should really start selling starter kits like this. I am sure there would be good interest. It is hard enough to just get UGF boxes. Great video!

[@ShrimpMania]

Thanks Jon, Gbee shrimp already selling full ugf set in the uk just found it yesterday.

[@Rob-Brook]

I love watching your videos.. full of plenty of tips and tricks. I've 20 caridina tanks myself. Keep up the great work

[@ShrimpMania]

Glad you like them! Awesome shrimp you have, I saw them on your channel!

[@ajkandroid8662]

yes please more tank setup videos its always beautiful to see the process 🤣🤣🤣

[@ShrimpMania]

Will do!

[@RWAquariumPages]

great video! love the solid green ammonia levels, but the 8 weeks wait is such a pain. Great way to train our patience. Love the idea of the partation in the back for max amount of soil. speaking, I've gotta swap out soil pretty shortly, it's been almost 1 year mark for my shrimp rack. keep up the great videos!

[@ShrimpMania]

Hey Ray, thanks for watching buddy! Yes waiting is not fun, but I have more tanks to set up so it will keep me busy. Hope to see a new video when you swap your soil

[@Diosesdepapel]

Beautiful tank you build. Too bad end up with no Shrimps at all ... Maybe I should reconsider about my Two Shrimp tanks .. Tks for sharing

[@pokosal7015]

I’m also using sl-aqua products line for set up. Also ada Amazonia golden label mix with benibachi soil. Shrimp are doing good 😊

[@ShrimpMania]

You never get wrong with these products, always work great!

[@MrCharaf45]

Very good video with some very valuable advice ! Thank you 🙏

[@arcticwinds6125]

Great video, I do the same size filter box as your "Shrimp Mania" box, but I add about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of substrate to the floor of the whole tank "Brightwell Aquatics FlorinVolcanit Rio Escuro Volcanic Ash" no ammonia leach and has kept me at a 5.1 - 5.7 PH for the past year and a half, checking the PH monthly now just to see how far I can push it. Shrimps are active and breeding like crazy.

[@ShrimpMania]

Thanks Arctic sounds you have very good soil. I don't think that soil is available in the UK I'd love to try it.

[@mccandokao]

Hi! Wanted to ask another question. How long do you keep your lights on for and at what intensity? I did a soft restart (100% water change, new soil, same filters) and wanted to ensure a green algae wall grows.

[@GAMEPLAYSERVICES]

Great video,btw can you update about master soil in your tank?it is good for caridina shrimp?

[@ShrimpMania]

It was ok in the beginning ph 5.7-5.8 and after 1 year ph raised to 6.2 in my tank, just about to reset

[@szopensshrimps]

Hello :) very nice movie.

[@ShrimpMania]

Thank you, i like your videos too

[@szopensshrimps]

@@ShrimpMania 💙

[@BigShrimpin416]

I use the SL Aqua Magic Powder and also something called Speed Sand works great

[@AndreKeut]

Very nice box. Other shrimp keepers are punnting stones as base layer. Maybe try one tank with seachem matrix-fine mash-aquasoil?

[@ShrimpMania]

Maybe one day if someone sends it to me for free but I wouldn't buy it, it has quite high ph for high-end caridina

[@nicoclaassen6427]

Thanks for your great video's and all the great tips, if its possible too maybe do a video of the different patterns of caradina shrimp and which to mix too create the next pattern, starting with cristals and tangerine tiger shrimp. Can't find any tips online of this. Love to hear from you. Keep up the great video's.

[@ShrimpMania]

Thank you, it's a good idea!

[@jamiea9067]

love your new setup

[@ShrimpMania]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it☺

[@Detlefroemisch]

Sehr Gut gemacht das Video 👌 Ich versuche Lava als Bodengrund und mit Lavasteinen. Soil Glasgarten PH 5.5 -6.5 im Sack. PH ist jetzt bei 6. Der Vorteil ist Sack raus und neuen rein. Lava bleibt bestehen. 🙏

[@ShrimpMania]

Klingt großartig für mich. Ich wünsche Ihnen viel Erfolg mit Ihrem neuen Setup! Wirst du ein Video auf deinem Kanal posten? (Entschuldigung, ich benutze Google Übersetzer)

[@Detlefroemisch]

@@ShrimpMania Das Projekt läuft schon länger und gibt fortlaufend Updates in den Videos dazu. Eine Zusammenfassung kommt später. Der Übersetzer ist Gut.

[@ShrimpMania]

@@Detlefroemisch Groß! Ich habe gerade deinen tollen Kanal abonniert und werde dein Projekt verfolgen!

[@Detlefroemisch]

@@ShrimpMania Herzlichen Dank mein Freund 🙏😃

[@PapaShrimpTX]

Great information. Thanks for sharing!!

[@ShrimpMania]

Thank you for coming back to watch my crappy videos man😊

[@PapaShrimpTX]

@@ShrimpMania not crappy at all, I enjoy learning about shrimp!! #iloveshrimp

[@afnaanameer9111]

Does the SL aqua magic powder work as same as tai cheng powder did you get good results with sl aqua magic powder

[@glpshrimp6301]

Looks great tanks and room looking fab . One thing you said with regards to thick soil layer not possible with caridina . I disagree as I’ve had lots of success with thicker layer . Vin shrimp used over 4 inch of substrate in his tanks . So imo it’s what works for you is best 👍

[@ShrimpMania]

Thank you 😊, I just shared my experience. I know some keepers have a good results with thick soil but i think it has to be very thick as you said vin has 4 inches it’ll work because it’ll take forever to build up waste inside

[@gbeeshrimp]

Best plates on the market, often hard to find in the UK.

[@ShrimpMania]

That’s true!

[@gbeeshrimp]

@@ShrimpMania I like the other boxes as easier to move and cycle new ones but these look amazing too. I have some glass wider ugf boxes given to me by a friend but not used yet, I'll do a video once new shrimp room finished with them.

[@ShrimpMania]

@@gbeeshrimp I’ve tried to circle the new boxes and replace the old ones but it didn’t work quite well for my shrimp. Also I kind of get bored with them so wanted to try something new. I still like them though and will use in some of my tanks

[@gbeeshrimp]

@@ShrimpMania Yes I think the glas partition looks much nicer too. Great job 👏

[@sakibbsyeed532]

Is 18 liter tank setup enough to breed and thrive crystal shrimps ?

[@ShrimpMania]

Bigger is better. My smallest tank is 50L

[@hiddensecretgroup]

Hey Shrimp Mania, Great vid's like always! Question where did you find your Undergravel Filter Box from your video?

[@ShrimpMania]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qovLaoKFac-Vg68

[@hotgearboi]

Love the video!! Had a question in regards to algae. Currently been cycling my tank for about two weeks now and am noticing what appears to be thread algae on the soil and glass. Is this normal during the cycling process?

[@ShrimpMania]

Yes it is normal, I call it cotton algae it likes ammonia and grows in the new tanks for a few weeks and normally goes away once the tank is fully matured.

[@hotgearboi]

@@ShrimpMania thanks so much for the quick reply. Should I just leave it alone then ?

[@ShrimpMania]

@@hotgearboi yea just leave it, you can vacuum it if you want at the very end if any left

[@Hartwig870]

I use bacter AE and dehydrated yam powder I make myself, with good results.

[@DetectiveLopez.]

So has the buffering lasted longer doing it this way ?

[@ShrimpMania]

Tanks still running fine

[@nicholaschua7269]

I had 8 shrimp death (50%) after introducing some fern and root plants in the tank.. perhaps if the bio flim I try to cultivate in a fail betta fry tank? The first lollipop went well with no problem. Can’t find the cause of so much death…. I have a big question… by the way I’m using the same UGF… I get it it act as a filter and home for beneficial bacterial… But shrimps POO ALOT…. How is having a box UGF help with those poo sinking at the bottom? I remove my thin gravel, and opted for bare bottom… for easier vacuuming…

[@ShrimpMania]

I know it’s a lot of waste accumulating at the bottom of ugf nothing you can do about it. You can siphon it out with the tube

[@m.a.cridermotovlog8978]

Hi do you still use ro water for cycling the tank?

[@ShrimpMania]

Hey, for this setup I've used the water from my large container, and I already mixed some salts in there prior it. I believe you can use RO water if you want that should be ok. You can then mix your salts a few days before you add your shrimp

[@m.a.cridermotovlog8978]

Do you mean you cycle your tank with ro water and mineral salt?

[@ShrimpMania]

@@m.a.cridermotovlog8978 Yes for these tanks particularly

[@m.a.cridermotovlog8978]

Thank you Sensei 🙏 🙏

[@JhunDumsTVXj]

Wow nice

[@ShrimpMania]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@BigShrimpin416]

What issues did you have with the Ista Shrimp ph 5.5 soil? I just set up a tank with it. First time using it. I like that it doesn’t leach ammonia. I was just curious what was your experience with it?

[@ShrimpMania]

I have one tank with yellow galaxy fishbone on Ista 5.5, the shrimps doing ok but the moss not growing as in the tanks with ada amazonia and I have some algae in the tank. I think Ista is not very reach in minerals, so this is what I don't like

[@gbeeshrimp]

I struggled with the longevity of the buffering capabilities with ista soil. Hovered around 6ph and rose after 6 months. I do like the look of it though nice and dark, definitely wouldn't discount it as an aesthetic soil but that's just my opinion

[@BigShrimpin416]

@@ShrimpMania oh ok. Good to know. I have a bag of the ADA Amazonia ver. 2 and it does leach a lot of ammonia and I didn’t have much luck keeping the ph under 6.6. So I tried this Ista 5.5 we will see what happens I guess. The tank is currently cycling

[@gbeeshrimp]

@@BigShrimpin416 I've not tried the v2 only the new style v1. I know folk who have but felt the v1 was better. I use a mix as like to compare. Best for ph I've found is Glasgarten Environment but I get bad fuzz algae out of it. My most expensive shrimp are on amazonia v1 and never had an issue. I've got mastersoil too and it came highly recommended but not set those tanks up yet. Shrimp room in build phase. Just hope it ends up as nice as Shrimp Mania's. But he's a carpenter and I'm not 😉

[@BigShrimpin416]

@@gbeeshrimp Glasgarten Environment I’ve never heard of. I’m in the US. Shrimp Mania’s new room setup is awesome! And I love how he custom builds the tanks and added in the partition for the undergravel filter setup. Great idea and very cool design! I’ll have to look for that Glasgarten Environment substrate

[@mawoo7487]

GOOD ~!!

[@yuanhan453]

Hi can i use ugf box filter for my neocaridina too? is it necessary?

[@ShrimpMania]

You can with some media in it instead of the soil as neos don't benefit from aqua soil, you can use lava rock for example. It is not necessary, it's just going to work as a regular filter

[@ziluq6836]

What are the water parameters you keep the shrimp on?

[@ShrimpMania]

I only measure two parameters TDS 110-120 Ph 5.5-6.

[@marthanewsome6375]

Next time try this. Do a full tank under the gravel filter plenum instead. I do with a bottom layer of scoria about 1 inch and then 2 inches of aqua soil type gravel. It would last buffering much longer without having to keep resetting your tanks all the time. The big breeders here have very planted tanks and they do fantastic in a well-created aquascape. Seems your focus is on seeing the shrimp all the time. Because one aquascape did not do well, doesn't mean they all are. You are just seeing things from your small past experience. I feel you need to speak to people that have scaped tanks with tons of caridina shrimp in them. You might just learn something moving forward.

[@saraathena]

Do you know where to buy the boxes etc in Europe (not uk since brexit please)?

[@ShrimpMania]

Nope I don't I'm afraid

[@BDGMed]

If you were to keep a colony in a heavily planted tank, what type of caridina do you think would do best? Asking for a friend😂

[@ShrimpMania]

I had good success with crystal shrimp in the planted tank also any type of tiger shrimp would be fine as they can thrive in neocaridina parameters and don't require active soil.

[@jlshrimps817]

ISTA pH 5.5 doesnt make the pH 5.5.... its fake... or what is your experience about this?

[@ShrimpMania]

It does but only for a short time, not recommended

[@jlshrimps817]

@@ShrimpMania yes... I regretted buying it

[@bigbotno1]

Do you use osmose or tap water?

[@ShrimpMania]

Rodi

[@bigbotno1]

@@ShrimpMania How can it be your soil only lasts 6-8 months? Do you add KH to your water?

[@ShrimpMania]

@@bigbotno1 nope, its only 2L of soil in ugf

[@bigbotno1]

@@ShrimpMania Ok, I just have a thin layer covering the bottom. And it buffers for at least a year.

[@ShrimpMania]

@@bigbotno1 soil wearing much quicker in ugf because the water constantly running through the soil and it works much harder

[@mehranshahbazi8084]

اون پودر باکتری بود

[@Doberminator]

master soil eh, you will regret it because it is a plant substrate not for shrimps, it will mature for two months and the effects will be weak, golden Ada is a million times better / Greetings from Poland

[@ShrimpMania]

Hey Jakub, that's not very good news, I saw Crymore shrimp using this soil a lot. That's good you've told me I'm not going to setting up more tanks with this soil for now until I test it in this tank. It's going to be my cull tank anyways

[@Doberminator]

@@ShrimpMania I know Crymore is probably the only grower who uses this substrate, it is terribly stuffed with fertilizers, I recommend a 30% water change every week, and Platinum Soli is even worse, gold Ada is the best ... although I use Environment because after 2/3 weeks you can already push shrimps

[@ShrimpMania]

@@Doberminator Thanks for the info my friend👍

[@waldemarkudlak3537]

@@ShrimpMania Hello Thank you as always for a nice video :). I have been using the substrate for 2-3 years in my tanks and the effects for me are very good. The tanks mature about 2 months and after 4 months there are a lot of females with eggs and the survival rate of the young at the level of 80-90%. It's best to test yourself in 2-3 tanks and draw conclusions :). Regards

[@ShrimpMania]

Thanks! Yes, you are right I will see how this soil will perform

[@TupacShakur69]

Hi i have question regarding water changes and PH. If my tap water has higher PH than the water in my tank, is it necessary to lower the Ph in the water that I will change?

[@ShrimpMania]

Do you use tap water? Which type of shrimp do you have?

[@TupacShakur69]

@@ShrimpMania yes just regular tap water. I have neo caradina shrimp but was looking to start a caradina shrimp tank and I understand that they require lower ph.

[@ShrimpMania]

@@TupacShakur69 For Caridina I would strongly suggest using remineralized RO water. and active substrate. They wouldn't thrive in tap water most of the time. Active substrate will help to reduce your ph

[@TupacShakur69]

@@ShrimpMania i see thank you! Also I’ve never done RO water before, how would I go about remineralizing the water?

[@ShrimpMania]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH22domvd5hqf6M