My Shrimp Reproduced for 4 Years, This Happened

SerpaDesign
10 Feb 202409:53
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this engaging narrative, the creator shares the journey of setting up and maintaining an aquatic world within a custom-built aquarium, designed to be both stable and visually appealing for his cherished gold ring Danios and other aquatic companions. Over the course of four years, the aquarium has evolved, with the introduction of green kabo tyras, Bora Amano shrimp, cherry shrimp, and snails, all thriving in harmony. The creator addresses challenges such as substrate degradation and algae growth, implementing solutions like impermeable mesh bags and a forest of plants to sequester nutrients. The aquatic environment flourishes, with the snails adding a touch of whimsy as they navigate the water currents. The most significant transformation is the Crypt Forest below the rim, which surpasses expectations. The creator also recounts the meticulous process of transferring the aquatic inhabitants to a new tank, using innovative methods to count and relocate the shrimp, leading to the discovery of a thriving shrimp population and long-lost plants. The video concludes with the successful transition of the aquatic life to a new, larger habitat, marking the beginning of a new chapter in this aquatic odyssey.

Takeaways
  • ๐Ÿ  The narrator built a custom aquarium 90 days ago to create a stable and beautiful environment for their pet fish and other aquatic creatures.
  • ๐ŸŸ The aquarium houses gold ring Danos, green kabo tyras, Bora Amano shrimp, cherry shrimp, and snails, some of which have been with the narrator for 4 years.
  • ๐ŸŒฟ The aquarium design focuses on improving viability within a lowtech framework, addressing issues such as degraded Aqua soil migration with impermeable mesh bags under a layer of sand.
  • ๐Ÿชจ The hardscape was assembled with a buffer zone for maintenance, a lesson learned from previous algae formation and scratches due to lack of space.
  • ๐ŸŒณ The addition of riparian plants and a forest below helps sequester nutrients and prevent algae growth.
  • ๐Ÿ‘ The aquarium has flourished, with the Crypt Forest looking better than expected, although some adjustments were needed for plants growing too close to the glass and excess snail poop.
  • ๐Ÿ’ง The maintenance process included a simple water change to remove tannin and using a gravel vac to clean the substrate.
  • ๐Ÿ  The challenge of moving the aquatic animals to the new aquarium was met with some difficulty, but the narrator managed to transfer them successfully.
  • ๐Ÿฆ The cherry shrimp population multiplied significantly over the years, with the narrator initially guessing 147 and ending up with 143 shrimp.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ The old tank was dismantled after ensuring all shrimp were accounted for, revealing hidden plants and a sense of nostalgia for the narrator as it marked the start of their full-time YouTube journey.
  • ๐ŸŒŸ The new aquarium is double the size of the old one and includes many features that the animals appreciate, such as more room to swim and graze, signifying an exciting new era for the narrator's aquascaping endeavors.
Q & A
  • What was the primary objective of setting up the aquarium?

    -The primary objective was to create a stable and beautiful environment for the narrator's favorite fish, gold ring Danos, along with other aquatic life.

  • What was the secondary objective?

    -The secondary objective was to maintain the essence of the design while improving its viability within a low-tech framework.

  • What was the issue with the Aqua soil?

    -The issue with the Aqua soil was that it degraded and migrated above the sand, which was resolved by concealing the substrate with impermeable mesh bags under a layer of sand.

  • What role did the riparian plant growth play in the aquarium?

    -The riparian plant growth helped sequester nutrients, which likely contributed to the development of algae in various locations.

  • How did the narrator address the issue of plants growing too close to the glass?

    -The narrator made quick work of the crypts by trimming off a few leaves to address the issue of plants growing too close to the glass.

  • What was the initial plan for transferring the shrimp to the new tank?

    -The initial plan was to trick the shrimp into a flask using food as bait, so the narrator wouldn't have to manually round them up.

  • How did the narrator attempt to count the shrimp?

    -The narrator used a container and later a wider opening trap to collect the shrimp, with the intention of getting a proper count on the shrimp.

  • What was the approximate number of shrimp in the old tank?

    -The narrator guessed there were around 147 shrimp in the old tank, and the final count was 143.

  • Why did the narrator wait to add the shrimp to the new tank?

    -The narrator waited to add the shrimp to the new tank to allow the environment to season and to ensure there was enough space and features for the shrimp to thrive.

  • What was the significance of the date February 10th, 2020, in relation to the aquarium setup?

    -February 10th, 2020, was the date when the narrator originally built the old tank, marking the start of a new era in their aquarium hobby and the beginning of their full-time YouTube career.

  • What was the narrator's final action in relation to the old tank?

    -The narrator dismantled the old tank for good after ensuring all the shrimp had been transferred to the new tank.

Outlines
00:00
๐ŸŽฃ Aquarium Setup and Maintenance

The video script describes the creator's journey in setting up and maintaining an aquatic environment in an animal room. The primary goal was to establish a stable and visually appealing habitat for gold ring Danios and other aquatic creatures. The aquarium was built using custom Ikea glass shelves and has been home to various species for four years. The creator faced challenges with the Aqua soil and devised a solution using impermeable mesh bags to conceal the substrate. The hardscape was assembled with a buffer zone for maintenance, and the setup included plants to help with nutrient sequestration and algae control. The video also covers the process of moving animals to a new environment, including the use of a trap for shrimp and the final count of 143 shrimp, which was close to the creator's initial guess of 147. The creator reflects on the past four years and looks forward to the new era of the aquatic world.

05:00
๐Ÿฆ Shrimp Collection and New Tank Preparation

The second paragraph details the process of collecting shrimp from the aquarium for relocation to a new tank. Initially, the creator attempted to use a trap to collect the shrimp, but found it to be less effective due to the shrimp's ability to escape. After several attempts and improvements to the trap, the creator decided to manually net the shrimp. This process led to the discovery of long-lost plants and a significant number of shrimp. The old tank was thoroughly searched, and all shrimp were eventually transferred to the new tank. The creator expressed satisfaction with the closeness of the final shrimp count to their initial guess and provided an update on how well the animals were adjusting to their new environment. The new tank offered more space and features that the animals seemed to appreciate. The creator also mentioned the sentimental value of the original tank, which was built four years prior, and how the new setup marked the beginning of a new era in their aquarium design journey.

Mindmap
Keywords
๐Ÿ’กAquatic World
An 'Aquatic World' refers to a self-contained ecosystem designed to mimic the natural habitat of aquatic animals, primarily fish. In the video, it is created within a custom-built aquarium using Ikea glass shelves. The term is central to the video's theme as it sets the stage for the entire narrative of setting up and maintaining an aquatic environment that is both stable and aesthetically pleasing.
๐Ÿ’กGold Ring Danios
Gold Ring Danios are a type of freshwater fish known for their vibrant colors and active behavior. They are mentioned as the favorite fish of the video creator and are part of the aquatic environment in the custom-built aquarium. The presence of these fish illustrates the creator's passion for specific aquatic species and their role in the overall beauty of the aquatic setup.
๐Ÿ’กLowtech Framework
A 'Lowtech Framework' in the context of aquarium maintenance refers to a simplified approach that doesn't rely heavily on technological interventions. The video creator aimed to improve the design's viability within this framework, which is significant as it underscores a preference for sustainable and less complex methods of caring for the aquatic environment.
๐Ÿ’กAqua Soil
Aqua Soil is a type of substrate used in aquariums, especially in planted tanks, to provide a medium for plant growth. In the video, the degradation of Aqua Soil migrating above the sand is mentioned as an issue. The solution provided was to conceal the substrate with impermeable mesh bags, which is a practical example of problem-solving within the aquatic setup.
๐Ÿ’กHardscape
The 'Hardscape' in an aquarium refers to the non-living structures or decorations such as rocks, driftwood, and artificial caves. The video discusses assembling the hardscape above a concealed substrate while maintaining a buffer zone for maintenance. This concept is integral to the overall design and aesthetic of the aquatic environment, providing a structural foundation for the plants and animals.
๐Ÿ’กAlgae
Algae are simple plants that live in water and can sometimes overgrow in aquariums, causing unwanted green patches. The video mentions the formation of algae and the role of riparian plant growth in sequestering nutrients that contribute to its development. Algae are a common issue in aquatic environments, and their mention in the video highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
๐Ÿ’กCrypt Forest
A 'Crypt Forest' in the context of the video refers to a densely planted area within the aquarium, likely named after the Cryptocoryne genus of aquatic plants which are known for their lush growth. The Crypt Forest is described as looking incredible and is a significant part of the underwater landscape, contributing to the overall aesthetic and providing a habitat for the animals within.
๐Ÿ’กWater Change
A 'Water Change' is a common aquarium maintenance procedure where a portion of the old water is removed and replaced with fresh water. In the video, a simple water change is performed to remove tannin, which is a natural organic compound that can affect water quality. This process is essential for maintaining a healthy environment for the aquatic life.
๐Ÿ’กTannin
Tannin is a naturally occurring compound found in plants that can leach into the water, causing it to take on a brown color. The video creator aims to dial in the tannin levels to achieve a desired appearance and quality of water. Tannin is an important consideration in the video as it relates to the visual appeal and health of the aquatic environment.
๐Ÿ’กCherry Shrimp
Cherry Shrimp are small, colorful freshwater shrimp often kept in home aquariums for their aesthetic appeal and their role in the aquarium's ecosystem. The video details the process of moving these shrimp from one tank to another, which is a significant part of the video's narrative as it showcases the challenges and joys of caring for these small creatures.
๐Ÿ’กGravel Vac
A 'Gravel Vac' is a tool used in aquarium maintenance to clean the substrate by sucking up debris without disturbing the water too much. The video mentions using a gravel vac without concern as everything is rooted and established. This tool is essential for maintaining cleanliness in the aquarium and contributes to the overall health of the aquatic environment.
Highlights

The speaker set up a custom-built aquarium 90 days ago, aiming to create a stable and beautiful environment for gold ring Danios and other aquatic species.

The aquarium has been home to various aquatic life, including green kabo tyras, Bora Amano shrimp, cherry shrimp, and snails, for the past 4 years.

A secondary objective was to improve the design's viability within a low-tech framework, addressing issues like degraded Aqua soil migration.

The solution to substrate degradation was to conceal it with impermeable mesh bags under a layer of sand.

Hardscape was assembled above the mesh bags with a buffer zone for maintenance, preventing scratches on the glass.

Algae growth was combated by introducing riparian plant growth to sequester nutrients.

The speaker laid the foundation for a forest below the main aquascape to further sequester nutrients and control algae.

All aquatic life flourished after adjustments, with the exception of needing to reintroduce animals.

A single maintenance session was conducted, which involved a simple water change to remove tannin.

Plants above the rim have acclimated well, and the water lily has breached the surface.

The snails' movement, sped along by water currents, provided a humorous observation for the speaker.

The Crypt Forest below the main aquascape has grown incredibly, even surpassing the speaker's expectations.

Some plants were growing too close to the glass, and there was an excess of snail poop on the hardscape, requiring maintenance.

The speaker made quick work of trimming overgrown plants and replanted trimmings to create denser bunches.

A gravel vacuum was used without concern for the rooted and established plants.

The speaker attempted to adjust tannin levels in the water, aiming for a balance between some presence and the previous excessive levels.

The process of moving fish and shrimp to a new tank was challenging, but ultimately successful with the help of a makeshift trap.

The shrimp population had multiplied significantly, with the speaker estimating around 147 individuals and ending up with 143.

The old tank was completely dismantled after ensuring all shrimp were moved, marking the end of an era and the start of a new one for the speaker's aquatic world.

The new tank is double the size of the old one and includes many features appreciated by the aquatic life, offering more room for the fish and grazing surfaces for the shrimp.

Transcripts
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