Shrimp and Hard Water

[ian8834]

So I have 4 different varieties of shrimp (crystal reds, crystal blacks, bees, and greens) coming in tomorrow. I have got all of my tanks cleaned out and ready for the new arrivals. The pH is now at 7.1, which will definitely work because the person I am getting them from has them at 7.4 now.

The only problem is I have hard water. I have done everything short of adding aquarium salt. I have read that aquarium salt and shrimp do not mix, so I haven't even really thought about that.

Any suggestions??

 

[gzeiger]

Hard water should be good for shrimp. They need lots of calcium for building shells.

 

[ian8834]

Some shrimp like hard water and alkaline water, while others like soft acidic water. Three of the shrimp I am getting like hard, alkaline water.

 

[belle_foudre]

Some shrimp like hard water and alkaline water, while others like soft acidic water. Three of the shrimp I am getting like hard, alkaline water.

I also am interested in keeping shrimp, but I have very high ph. Off the charts high, for those of you who use a API test kit, my ph is always dark purple. From what I have read most shrimp available like lower to nuretral ph. Any ideas about what kind of shrimp would be best suited for higher ph, and what I could start out with?

PS Sorry for taking over the thread

 

[swede]

ADA aquasoil does wonders as a buffering substrate

 

[ian8834]

ADA aquasoil does wonders as a buffering substrate

I looked into getting some Aquasoil. Unfortunately, I was unable to get some before the shrimp came.

I got the pH to right around 7.0. The water is still pretty hard, but the shrimp have been in there two days and I've had no problems.

 

[ian8834]

I also am interested in keeping shrimp, but I have very high ph. Off the charts high, for those of you who use a API test kit, my ph is always dark purple. From what I have read most shrimp available like lower to nuretral ph. Any ideas about what kind of shrimp would be best suited for higher ph, and what I could start out with?

PS Sorry for taking over the thread

Not a problem. I used Seachem's Neutral Regulator in my tanks. It took the pH down quite a bit and also helped out a little bit with the hard water. It is relatively cheap, and I just threw it in there and it did everything!