10 gallons planted aquarium with red cherry shrimps

Here's my 10 gallon with the RCS. BTW I need to talk to Anik to see what I'm doing wrong after 2 months of healthy RCS the start dying without a reason all my parameters were good.

You could see the difference in the plants from the first pic.


And this is my 5 gallons with a few guppies.

State what you have been doing to your tanks for the last 2 months . Like any major changes, medication, different food, temperature, and etc.

tercel, could it be that it's the older ones?

I have been doing PWC at least once a week. Feeding them every other day. The only thing I think I has been doing wrong is PH. I have been using a PH buffer to keep it neutral 7.0 but when they start dying I did a test with my kit and the PH was around 8.0 -8.2. So probably the PH swing everytime I do a PWC was affecting the RCS. Also when the die they look like they was ready to "molting" (don't know if that is the correct term), but they look like they went only half way.


Kat I don't think that all of them were old cause I got them from Anik juvenils and very healthy.    

I have like 5-6 left right now and they look healthy, I stop using the PH buffer in that tank.
Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates around 5 -10 ppm and PH 8.2

And No medication, temp around 78 degree, and food I have been using the same sinking algae waffer you told me to use.

Do these dying RCS show any signs...lack of appetite, loss of color...lethargy?? Are they losing shell matter (you said "molting") right before they die??
EDIT!!!...why so HIGH on PH? That could be your killer! I would bring it to neutral and leave it. I'll bet if you stopped using the buffer..it will right itself.

I stop using the PH buffer but the PH stays now around 8-8.2. and they use to have a white line on top of them, instead of being completely red.

Way too high on th pH. Double check that the buffer you're adding actually says 7.0 and not a cichlid buffer. I'm no expert on shrimp but a lack of available iodine will make it hard for them to molt. Too much iodine causes excessive molting and shortens their lifespan.

Why would you mess with ph all off a sudden? >.> I never messed with ph when I have had them. Balanced ph is better even if it is high. Even at 7.6 my shrimp was thriving as you saw. In the wild when it rains; the water brings a lot of minerals when it comes to the rivers and the ph changes but gradually. The ph is a not a big factor as long as you keep it constant. I even have crs at 7.6.  I'm not sure really whats causing the molt issue since I haven't done enough shrimp research but I did heard what amp said. I would suggest right now is that don't mess with the ph and let it just balance it out. Just keep up with regular water changes. If the shrimp are not looking good still do 25 percent water changes a day for few days to see if they react. Try changing their food to flake spirulina flake. You can also try shrimp supplement from fluval for molting issue.

I wouldn't change food right now! Get the PH in check before anything else. Worst thing you can do is make too many changes in haste! The over 8 PH is NOT good!! That needs to come down. Do a 10% WC daily until it's at 7 +/- then monitor with weekly WC....and let the living ones heal! Neo has a tank FULL of these that THRIVE on those wafers, ..it's NOT the food!

OK Doxie, I will try this but my tap water have a PH of 8.2, should i do something to it before I do my PWC?

WOW...that is HIGH coming from the tap!! I use pressed peat pots from a local garden center...rip them up and put them in mesh or a knee high pantyhose. Place them in the filter. They will naturally soften your water. I have done this for a long time as I raise Angels and they must have soft water to thrive.
You can also buy water softener pillows from pet store but they are expensive over time!!
GOOD LUCK!!!

Thanks!!!! I will try this and will let you guys know the results!!!

Are these are the one you saying Doxie???

Yuppers!! That's the one!! WalMart carries them in the spring but best bet is probably Lowes or a garden center now. Use one or two...rip them up..stuff into pantyhose or sock & place in filter. They will tint the water brown a bit as they break down...this will go away! Sure hope this helps!! Oh...and this may go without saying but be sure you get simple PURE compressed peat! No ferts added!!

Thanks!!! I will try this then. How often I have to change them?

I do it every 3-4 months....peat breaks down slowly.

Doesn't it change ph when you do water change???

Well the tap water ph is 8.2 so I don't think it will change it. I haven't tested. I have to do a water change today so I will test the water in the tank before, the tap water and the water after I change it and will let you guys know.

Well guys these are the results

          Before PWC  -     Tap  -    After PWC

PH            8.0        -       8.2    -     8.0

Ammonia     .25ppm   -       0     -       0

Nitrite            0       -        0     -       0

Nitrate          0-5ppm   -     0     -       0-5ppm




I use Prime for the tap water before making the PWC and I let the water sit for around 5 min before putting it in. For the test I use the API freshwater master kit.

I'm going tomorrow to Home Depot to buy the peat pots.

Ammonia at.25ppm.......when was last PWC?? Stress in the tank or overcrowding?
NEO..was that question about PH changing with WC about the peat?? Because yes the PH will "technically" increase with tap but a 25% change would only increase it a small amount. Peat will lower it again over a day or two. Or a "squeeze" of the peat pots will release the natural softeners. Just don't do it directly over the water...peat makes a mess!!

The last PWC was like a week and half ago, I was thinking maybe that was hurting the shrimps (the constant PWC). The tank only have RCS is not overcrowded.

Never mind I got my answer.

Well guys went shopping today without luck  , went to Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart and didn't found the pressed peat pots. Is there any other thing that would work? I know that Doxie mention some water softener pillows but I'm not sure which ones are they if you could post a pic of the pads or at least give me the full name so I could make a search ( still a newbie) that would be great.

Thanks a lot for the help guys!!!!

The is another way of lowering ph and its by adding driftwood.
To doxiemom-my reason for suggesting new food is too boost their immune system. Since the ph fluctuations really have them stressed out which means weak immune system hence the death.

OK, Anik! Your food theory makes sense!. I'm thinking NOT to change anything BUT PH to be sure that's the culprit!
No Luck at BIG BOX retailers....Go to Great Big Greenhouse (Bellgrade) or Stranges (Short Pump)....both are specialty garden/nursery centers!! Or tell me where you live (area) and I'll get you to a garden center! LOL
You can go to the pet store for softener pillows but they tend to be $ 
How are things now?? Any new deaths?