[WillLovesFish]

22 gallon tank setup for about 10 months. Had 2 cleaner shrimp from the get go. Did a 20% water change 2 days ago and then one day after the water change lost one of the shrimp. I had not done a water change in 3 weeks. I changed my filter like I always do with water changes. I have a HOB with bio wheel, never have changed the bio wheel though. I also have 2 orange clown fish, and one strawberry dottyback. 3 nassarius snails as well.

Would also like to ask why I am loseing a Mex Turbo snail every month, I keep 2 at a time and they both die within a month, the time frame of one dieing to the other is pretty close too. LFS told me it's because they are cold water snails....? Anyone have any insite and/or suggestions on what I can use to keep alge under control?

Water Stats after the recent water change:
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20 why is this so high after my water change?
Salanity 1.022
Temp 77

[spanko]

Answered most of the questions in your other thread on the algae. As for the shrimp putting two Lysmata shrimp in a tank that size is probably what did the one in. They don't really tolerate each other very well and in close quarters this could lead to a fight to the death. In larger systems they have room to stay apart unless they are a mated pair. Perhaps you had two males or two females and this contributed to the death of one.
Overall in you tank best to keep just one of the Lysmata shrimp.

[WillLovesFish]

Thanks again for more advice. But they have been together for 10 months now, why would they turn on each other? Remeber this is a 22gallon tank, the other one with alge issues was a 10 gallon and only has one shrimp.

I noticed today when I got home all my fish, 2 clowns, 1 strawberry dottyback were attacking my last shrimp. Biteing him really hard and almost tearing him apart. He was hurt bad, I took him out and put him in the 10 gallon for now in hopes he will be ok there, worth a chance if I can at least keep him alive. Maybe they killed the other one, I don't understand though, they have ALL been together for 10 months now with no problems before. Any advice would be great.

[spanko]

Maybe the shrimp said something about thier mother??

JK. Don't know for sure. Things change as fish get older and develop "meaner" streaks. Circle of life kind of thing. Sorry I can't be of more help than that but it sounds like the fish are on their second shrimp dinner.

[WillLovesFish]

Lol, well thanks for the try. I have 3 nassarious snails, so do you think it's critical to have cleaner shrimp in there? I was thinking maybe I should get a different kind, not sure if a different one will stand up better.....?

[spanko]

Not necessary to have a shrimp at all. Seems your clowns like the taste of them anyway, even without any cocktail sauce!

[demonsquirt]

Your tank is to small to support 2 of anything. Shrimp feed off the LR and uneatin food you add and in a new tank theres just not enough and a 22 gallon cant support 2 let alone 1.

Turbos are the same. They need algea and in a new setup and smaller tank there just wont be enough.They will clean its source fast and then starve to death.
Besides you dont want turbos in a smaller tank.

What is it you want from this tank?

[WillLovesFish]

Well I did have them alive for 10 months. I don't believe the one died due to lack of food. I have always fed them pieces of krill about once a week. I hand feed it to them so the fish etc..don't take it. I personally think for whatever random reason the fish killed him cause a day later they were all over the other one. They never fought as well, so I don't think one killed the other.

I do understand your argument on the snails. Any other ideas on what I could get to keep alge under control..?

From this tank I just want to keep it FOWLR. Don't plan on adding anymore fish at all. I am perfectly happy with the way it is now. I just wanted some sort of cleanup crew to keep it healthy and alge free. Guess the shrimp don't matter much cause the nassarius take care of the bottom.

[demonsquirt]

There may have been enough food at first but as time passed it dwindled causing a low starvation. Just a guess. Turbo's move and eat fast competing with other algea eaters. Many problems like this take time to appear.
Also you have high nitrates , it could be from the water source or feeding habits or amount of flow.
I dought theres 1 reason for your problem but a few.

Many problems in this hobby takes months or yrs to appear and harder to controll. Much harder if you dont have an understanding of the basics. Flow , water source , LR and substrate amount , type and placement. And stocking.

[Adam J]

Originally Posted by demonsquirt

Your tank is to small to support 2 of anything. Shrimp feed off the LR and uneatin food you add and in a new tank theres just not enough and a 22 gallon cant support 2 let alone 1.

Turbos are the same. They need algea and in a new setup and smaller tank there just wont be enough.They will clean its source fast and then starve to death.
Besides you dont want turbos in a smaller tank.

What is it you want from this tank?

So it wasn't the water flow this time?I kept a banded coral shrimp for over a year in a 20 gallon with no probs.Sold him to a friend with a 24g over 6 months ago.(Psst,dont tell anyone but he's still alive)He really likes brine.There are to many variables in each individual tank for you to be speaking in absolutes.

[WillLovesFish]

adam jenkins,

I agree. I just find it very hard to believe the one starved just because it's a small tank. Did anyone pay attention to the fact that I hand fed them 1-2 times a week, plus I am sure they got some of the other food now and then. I feed the tank every other day. I have good water flow, have a maxi-jet rated at 220 I think, not any less then that I know for sure. Always use RO water. 20 gallon tank that has 25pounds of LR and has LS, about 2inches in depth. I have a low stock in the tank imo. I understand the nitrates are high, my fault for not cleaning for the past 2-3 weeks. Not the water source though as I stated it's RO.

[Adam J]

I would have to say it was probably your clowns.They are territorial and in a 22g they are bound to cross path frequently.As far as your nitrates,have you ever tested your RO water before you added it?

[WillLovesFish]

I have not tested the RO water. I guess I will next time. I get it from my LFS, they have a massive unit and give it away free. Last time I was there I asked them about it and they told me they test their water once a week and it comes back perfect every time. But I will test it myself from now on and see what's up.