This is the first update of my Soft Water Shrimp in Hard Water experiment. This experiment is intended to see what a difference keeping soft water shrimp in hard water for long term will make on their growth and breeding. Here is the plan for this experiment. I will continue the experiment for 3 generations of shrimp.

The Set up:

  • 2 x2.5 Gallon All Glass Aquariums
  • 2 Sponge Filters
  • Inert Substrate
  • 2x Electric Thermometers
  • 5 young tiger shrimp per aquarium

The Execution

  • Set up both 2.5 gallon aquariums with identical set ups
  • Use seeded sponges for 10 gallon aquarium.
  • Fill Hard Water aquarium with tap water
  • Test pH using Electronic Monitor
  • Test TDS with TDS meter
  • Fill Soft Water aquarium with RO/DI water
  • Test pH with Electronic Monitor
  • Test TDS with TDS meter
  • Drip acclimate 5 Tiger Shrimp to the new Hard Water Aquarium
  • Drip acclimate 5 Tiger Shrimp to the new Soft Water Aquarium
  • Feed exactly the same food at the same time in the same amounts
  • Document Growth and all breeding behavior

2nd Generation

  • Remove 1st Generation Shrimp
  • Follow 1st generation care
  • Document Growth and all breeding behavior

That is the plan as I have it now. I will update as soon as I have more information available!

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