Proper calcium levels for cleaner shrimp?

SharkRacer · Aug 12, 2022

What are the best levels for calcium for keeping a healthy, happy, cleaner shrimp? Mine are currently at 500.

I ask because my last 2 shrimp died, and I am hoping not to have a repeat. I just put one in last night after a 3 hours of acclimation and he has vanished (likely hiding/molting?)

Tank Stats:

55g with ~50lbs live rock
Tidal 75 pump
2 Powerheads
Temp: 78
Water changes every 2-3 weeks
Alk (according to API): 11.2
Ammonia: <.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 25-50
SG: 1.026

Inhabitants:

2 clowns
6-line wrasse
YWG + Pistol Shrimp
1 Cardinal
Purple Firefish

Small corals (Duncan, trumpet, mushroom, hammer)

In addition to calcium levels, is there anything else I can do to ensure he thrives in my tank?

KrisReef · Aug 12, 2022

Pistol shrimp are known predators of other shrimp, small fish, etc. I don't think your parameters are too bad or way out of line to have caused the demise of you cleaner shrimps.

I would also stop testing ammonia and nitrite. For hard corals, you need phosphate and alk tests, and magnesium tests. Ditch the API, although it's probably ok for calcium.

And I don't recongize your light but having enough photons to support corals is also very important.
Hope that helps you, @SharkRacer !

Dburr1014 · Aug 12, 2022

SharkRacer said:
What are the best levels for calcium for keeping a healthy, happy, cleaner shrimp? Mine are currently at 500.

I ask because my last 2 shrimp died, and I am hoping not to have a repeat. I just put one in last night after a 3 hours of acclimation and he has vanished (likely hiding/molting?)

Tank Stats:

55g with ~50lbs live rock
Tidal 75 pump
2 Powerheads
Temp: 78
Water changes every 2-3 weeks
Alk (according to API): 11.2
Ammonia: <.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 25-50
SG: 1.026

Inhabitants:

2 clowns
6-line wrasse
YWG + Pistol Shrimp
1 Cardinal
Purple Firefish

Small corals (Duncan, trumpet, mushroom, hammer)

In addition to calcium levels, is there anything else I can do to ensure he thrives in my tank?

Agreed with the post above.
The only other thing I can think of is iodine for the shrimp to help them molt. But I don't know of anyone who has had a problem with it. If your doing water changes you should be fine.