Water changes in Cherry shrimp tank?

[ColoFishGuy]

I've recently setup a cherry red shrimp tank and looking to do my first water change since adding the shrimp to the tank, and just curious how others handle this.

Should I put some sort of nylon mesh over the gravel vac (python) to make sure I don't suck shrimp out of the tank?

Should I use a bucket to dechlorinate the water before adding it to the tank, or is it ok to just add the dechlorinator to the tank and then add regular tap water?

Does anybody know if there's digital meters for testing nitrates? I'm colorblind and those little litmus strips are not gonna work for me.

 

[jen0910]

I just use a regular gravel vac and am careful. I have sucked up shrimp or 2before but i had enough time to get them out before then went into the smaller part of the tube and they have been fine afterward.

I always dechlorinate before adding water to the tank, it always seems easier to do it before so i know how much dechlorinator to add to just the new water.

 

[Lotus]

There are digital nitrate meters on the market, but they cost about $250 (or maybe it was $350). They have them at Drs. Foster & Smith.

Shrimp prefer water that's well aged. If possible, it's better to make sure the water is fully dechlorinated before you add it to the tank.

 

[ColoFishGuy]

thanks for the advice, I'll buy an extra bucket to use just for this purpose.

I looked around for digital nitrate meters and they are all totally unreasonably priced. Guess I'll just have to test when the better half is around and can help me with the colors.