u/chronicallybri

Putting together a 2.5 gallon jar and I got aragonite substrate. I’ve read it’s notorious for clouding the water but I’ve also read mixed info about rinsing it vs. not bothering. Seems like rinsing is the way to go…

I originally got this terrarium for a future praying mantis and was considering making a bioactive enclosure but I’m not sure if it’s not tall enough for a larger species. Wondering what else might be able to be comfortable in here if not a mantis. (I’m strangely picky about inverts—I’m not into spiders, roaches, or millipedes, and wouldn’t really be interested in it being strictly isopods) Don’t think it’s the right size for snails since it’s tall and probably not big enough? Though I’ve read such mixed things about snails. Would love to hear your thoughts!

I’ve read a lot of mixed info, interested in your opinions! I know they have slightly different environmental needs and can’t interbreed, has anyone had success (or failure) with this?

Hi all! I’ve always wanted a microscope, but have never been able to afford/have one. What are your recommendations for the most affordable microscopes for beginners? Having never had one, I guess I’m not entirely sure what to look for. Also looking for something relatively small as I live in a one bedroom apartment that’s already bursting at the seams.

Thanks in advance! Love seeing all the fascinating posts here as I continue waiting to have mine own!

Tell me your votes and why! Starting up a 2.5 gallon soon with aragonite and lava rocks and a sea fan. I definitely want some snails. I tend to see people keeping MTS with opae ula, but I’ve learned about ceriths on this sub being kept with them. I like the idea of the ceriths being more active/more visible. Obviously don’t want too much bioload and would start with a very small population. Always love to hear your opinions and unsolicited advice is always welcome on my posts.

ETA: I will also have chaeto algea!

Hi all, new to this sub! I have some adorable little marimo but they’re super tiny and they’re the only ones I’ve been able to find that aren’t outrageously expensive. I ordered some tiny ones from Moss Artistry, but any of substantial size are outrageously expensive. The ones at Petco though larger were brown 🙄

Where do you guys get them? ☺️

Hi shrimp lovers! I’m starting to gather supplies for my future 2 gallon glass cookie jar setup 🤗 I plan to also have a few MTS. How many shrimp would you recommend starting with?

Looking for food recommendations (budget friendly but best quality) and tips for feeding in the beginning as biofilm and algae are developing, plus the inclusion of a few MTS. My questions are:

1. What product do you feed?

(I know spirulina but specific recommendations? What form?)

1. How much and how often?
2. Do you decrease or completely stop feeding and at what point?

I will have chaeto in the tank and have grow lights providing quality ambient grow light in the entire room, plus an overhead full spectrum LED aquarium grow light that will be on for 8 hours daily.

Thanks in advance! So excited for these guys!

I’m planning on starting my first tank soon and I know they don’t need a lot, but I would love to see your tanks for some inspiration! Appreciate any links too! Hoping for around 3 gallons and want to have MTS too. I think I like the aesthetic of something round. Trying to look for cheaper options!

What is the best substrate to use for opae ula and MTS?

Thanks in advance, love seeing your tanks and shrimp. I also accept any random unsolicited advice, lol!

Hoping to start slowly accumulating my supplies to start an opae ula tank. I really like the look of a rounded or cylindrical tank/glass container but was wondering if a taller cylinder is inappropriate due to potentially not providing enough ground space for them? I would definitely have a very tall lava rock structure filling a lot of that water column, but still wondering if it’s not the best design for them. Emulating their natural environment is obviously much more important than my aesthetic preferences ;) thanks for any replies!

Hi Shrimp Lovers! I’ve been learning a lot about opae ula from this sub and I’m sooo interested in keeping them. The startup cost is what’s holding me back.

I see many people don’t use heaters, but I live in the northeast United States and keep my apartment a bit on the cooler side when it comes to heating in the winter. I also use air conditioning in the summer. Would you recommend a small heater? I have no problem adding a low wattage one if it would be either necessary or even if it’s not necessary but beneficial. Would having snails make any difference?

Thanks in advance for any replies and I appreciate any additional insights you feel like dropping below, or links/tips for low cost setup!

I’m really interested in Opae Ula as I’m unable to have larger freshwater aquariums right now and would love to level up from just my brine shrimp (sea monkeys), though I also adore those little guys so I think opae ula would be an absolute joy.

I’m surprised that oxygen demands are low enough that you don’t need an air stone as I’ve found them nearly essential for my brine shrimp.

I know lava stones are essential and I would add macroalgae and ideally a sea fan or two. Are small/minimal aquarium-safe decorations okay for these guys? Again, very minimal if at all as I invision a really beautiful but simple natural aquascape that matches their natural environment.

A follow up question: I absolutely adore shrimp too. Could I keep 1-2 nerites with a colony of opae ula in a 2.5 gallon or do the snails produce too much bioload for this size tank without a filter? Just curious as I want to get started accumulating supplies if I decide to go with it. Just hesitant to spend money on the startup haha! Convince me shrimp lovers ☺️🦐

Context: I have a 0.5 gallon tank with a heater and an air stone that runs intermittently (to not exhaust them). A month or so ago I started this tank with my own water and all nauplii and now have mating adults and younger shrimp at different maturity levels. The only thing I’ve noticed is that they seem a bit on the smaller side. I’ve had no deaths in this tank.

I use instant ocean marine salt. I followed the mixture exactly and I must not have tested it with my refractometer before starting the tank (I have no idea how that happened I’m so confused!!). For some reason, my tank is repeatedly testing around ~55ppt which I know is too high. I top off my tanks with distilled water. I don’t think this is inaccurate as my other tank is testing 35ppt consistently. I’ve re-calibrated multiple times.

I feel like I need to fix this but I’m afraid to mess with things since they’re doing well, but I’m not sure if this salinity level is a one way ticket to a tank crash.

Experienced salinity experts: what do you think I should do?

Hi! I just learned about opae ula and would love to learn about keeping them. I really want a planted aquarium with neocardina, snails, and small fish one day, but I just don’t think it’s the right time or the best use of my budget. To scratch my aquarium itch I keep a couple of 0.5 gallon tanks of sea monkeys (brine shrimp) and I adore them. As soon as I learned about opae ula, I was immediately curious if they may be something I have the time and resources to dedicate to. I’m used to measuring salinity with my sea monkeys as I mix my own water using instant ocean marine salt, and use a digital refractometer to test and monitor salinity!

I always want to provide more than the bare minimum for any animal of course. It seems like their needs and care are even better for a beginner who doesn’t have a ton of space or a ton of money.

If anyone is willing to type a little blurb, I’d love to hear about how you keep them and why you enjoy them! ☺️🦐
I’d love to hear: what you keep them in (size, type of tank/shape) if you use filters/general tank setup, what daily maintenance is like, can they live with anything else?

Thanks in advance, I look forward to browsing this sub to learn and see your fun tanks!

I had 12 eggs hatch just a few days ago and they’ve been provided with native white oak but I’m worried my caterpillars aren’t eating as I rarely see them on the provided leaves and have only seen a tiny bit of frass in only some of the containers. They’re very small and almost never move when they were extremely active their first 24 hours. I’m scared they’re goners can anyone help me? This is my first time and I’m so sad.