Can't Keep Shrimp Alive

[Qwank]

i think it has to do with the paper gauge thats in the glass. if its not installed properly or moves it can throw it off. once calabrated against a refractometer it reads the same every time i just have to subtract .006. the the refract is easier and faster to use now anyways.

 

[Scott]

I have a floating glass hydrometer with a green band marking the target zone of 1.020 to 1.026.

Surface tension makes it impossible to get it accurate to 0.002 as the band itself is only 1/8" and the water climbs the tube nearly that much. I just shoot for the middle of the band.

In my 20G tank, I change about 1 - 1.25 gallons at a time (~5-10% accounting for the rock), so any variance of say 0.005 can only change the tank's overall salinity by a small amount. (max of 0.0005 for a 10% change if my math is correct).

Am I being too lax with this? I'd love for the problem to be something like this that I can control. Though if so, I need something more accurate.

 

[TomD]

I think a refractometer is important, especially if you are keeping corals. Along with some of the stuff mentioned a lot of shrimp die from poor acclimation even after they have been in the tank for a day or so. I would focus on getting your levels straight, keep your nitrates low, acclimate properly, and give it another go

With nitrates when you say (0-20), 20 would be high. I also would not be to concerned with iodine, at least imo.

 

[Scott]

With nitrates when you say (0-20), 20 would be high. I also would not be to concerned with iodine, at least imo.

The colors samples are 0 - 20 - 40 - 80 - 200.

So I say between 0 and 20 because the result's somewhere between those two colors. Could be 10, 15, not sure really.

I guess I need a more precise test kit.

 

[Scott]

Here's another possibility/question...

I've got a few extra pieces of live rock that have been sitting in salt water for a few weeks. I swapped out one piece when rearranging the rock. Also when I did that, a lot of detritus (is that the right word?) was released into the tank from a branchy piece that I removed.

Did I possibly set off a mini cycle with that maneuver or otherwise cause a small increase in nitrates?

 

[reefinghabit]

i wouldnt be concerned with extra detritus,however if your sand bed was deep and it had collected hydrogen sulfate gas. then i would say possibly that it killed your shrimp.if you stirred it up. you will see that it collects in deep undisturbed areas and its in layers of black or grey. it has a horrible smell of rotten eggs when disturbed.

 

[Scott]

The sand bed isn't terribly deep. One end of the tank is 1.5" deep, the other about 3/4" deep. I disturbed the shallower end. And, I don't see any dark areas on the glass (or gas bubbles).

I have allergies, so I can't say it didn't stink.

 

[reefinghabit]

you should be ok then.

 

[JayM]

Allergies or not, if it had the smell, you would smell it. The smell is so bad You can almost TASTE it

 

[Scott]

OK. My mind's working in reverse thinking about all the things I've done.

thanks!