Tank Concerns

[AfroNewtkeeper]

Thanks. There's not much I can do to turn down the bubbler. Should I poke some holes in the tubing? Man, I don't know what I'd do with eggs. I'd probably have to leave most to be eaten. XD

 

[Chinadog]

You can get little plastic valves that restrict the air flow from the pet store for a few cents, they fit into the air line so you can turn it up or down as required

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

Some comparison pictures. I got a valve, as well as some suction cups to hold the tubing to the wall. I planted some more elodea and moved the java moss a bit, and I got a few clippings from my biology teacher's aquarium. I didn't bother with sanitizing them beyond rinsing, and was wondering if anyone could identify them. They're in the second photo, and grow vertically.

pH 7.4
Ammonia .25 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 10-20 ppm

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

I can only post one picture per post on mobile. Here's the one of the plants.

 

[Chinadog]

It looks like some kind of Rotala I think? if you post a 'whats this plant' thread in the vivarium plant section someone will tell you for sure pretty quick!
The tank is looking better now the plants are filling out a bit isn't it!

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

Just bought four ghost shrimp. They're feeders and there are a few red mite-like spots on them. Should they be quarantined? Sorry about the bad picture quality.

 

[Asevernnnn]

Just bought four ghost shrimp. They're feeders and there are a few red mite-like spots on them. Should they be quarantined? Sorry about the bad picture quality.

Im pretty sure you have to quarantine anything like feeders and other newts before adding them

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

Better picture. It looks more like blood or something, as opposed to a parasite.

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

Down to just one shrimp. They're vicious little buggers. Also, I got another light (18 inch 5000K daylight bulb) because some plants were dying. Hopefully they'll live.

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

Well, the pH in the shrimp tank got too high and the last shrimp made a leap of faith. RIP. I've taken out the amazon chain swords, but the other plants seem healthy. Char's started hunting on his own and Griffin still hasn't left the island. (The elodea is starting to encircle the cork bark, so I'm hoping she'll enter the water soon.)
I'm considering getting a bamboo shrimp, and was wondering if a small sponge filter would be okay, seeing as they need a current to feed. (Or would the airstone provide a strong enough current?)

 

[Chinadog]

I think Bamboo shrimp like a fair bit of water movement, my friend has some and they are always sitting in the return flow from the filter. I have Japonica and cherry shrimp with my newts and they seem fine with still water, I could never see the appeal of keeping shrimp but now I have them I think they're great!

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

Here's an update picture. Both newts are doing well, and Griffin's hinting that she might become aquatic again soon. I just wanted to ask everyone's opinion on duckweed. I've noticed a few little clusters of it pop up and like the way it looks. Opinions?

 

[Chinadog]

There's pros and cons to duckweed, on one hand it sucks up nitrate like there's no tomorrow, but it can be difficult to eradicate once it gets hold. I would recommend getting some larger floating plants like Water lettuce, it dos the same job as duckweed but is easier to keep under control.