Cherry Shrimp Deaths

[convict360]

Hi guys, wondered if I could please ask for some input; I've just lost 5 cherry shrimps in the past couple of hours, after performing a 10 litre water change.

Tank is 60 litres, cycled, with 20 mountain minnows and 12 cherries.

The only changes I made, were adding a bunch of plants today; and then doing the water change.

I used waterlife tap conditioner, it mentions "haloex" and also contains formaldehyde, which I discovered after the event.

Quite frustrating, I reckon I'll probably lose all shrimp

 

[monkeybike]

Is Prime available? Not sure why people would use anything else.

 

[convict360]

Is Prime available? Not sure why people would use anything else.

I haven't seen it here in Scotland

 

[Coryloach]

The only changes I made, were adding a bunch of plants today; and then doing the water change.

This could have been the culprit. Some plants come treated with chemicals that are poisonous to shrimp. I've heard it happen many times. I'd take out those plants, wash well, do several large water changes to exchange all water in the tank and filter.

 

[monkeybike]

We used to add copper sulfate to new plants to prevent snails. Suppose this could be the case here.

 

[convict360]

Argggggghhhhhhh, that does sound like the most likely...last I looked, most of my shrimp were goners; I'm assuming since the plants are now in the tank, lots of water changes are the answer instead of directly washing them?

Guess I'll be washing all plants from now on

 

[monkeybike]

Carbon will suck out the copper

 

[Fat Homer]

Just noticed this thread... Yeah, maybe try soaking any new plants in a hospital type tank with some carbon and prime to hopefully remove anything that was on the plants before going into the tank...

Over here stores dont treat their plants, which is why i bleach dip (1:20) with water for anywhere between 2-5 min a plant to kill off snails...

-edit-

I then also make sure to rinse really well and then soak the plants in an overdosed solution of prime + water for about 1-2 hours afterwards to make sure i neautralize the bleach...