Setting up a Caridina Tank using Qualdrop Powders and Platinum Soil

​​​David Ward · Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Products -
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Platinum Soil – is a substrate very rich in mineral components. It contains micro- and macroelements, as well as humic acids (this its deep black color) and fulvic acids. It has a very good porous and stable structure, enabling problem-free desliming and not disintegrating during use

Bio Bactor – complex mixture of beneficial non-pathogenic bacterial strains including nitrifying , denitrifying , PSB photosynthetic and active enzymes. It builds a biological balance in the tank. Decomposes organic waste, quickly reduces NH 4 and NO 2 . Protects against tank contamination. It improves the survival rate of aquatic animals. Prevents the growth of harmful algae. Removes accumulated deposits in the substrate. It improves the quality of water in mature tanks.

Bio Nitro – BioNitro contains a complex of nitrifying bacteria, denitrification bacteria and probiotics, among others Bacillus natto. BioNitro removes NH4 ammonia nitrogen and NO2 nitrite efficiently and quickly, converting them to NO3 nitrates.

Rich One – RICH ONE is an abundance of fulvic acids, amino acids, microelements and oligosaccharides, which are obtained by natural processes, among others, fermentation.

Mironekuton - Mironekuton is a rare mineral occurring only in one region of Japan. It is exceptionally rich in minerals and numerous trace elements

Setup

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1 cm of Platinum Soil added

Bacterial and mineral products added

Fill your tank with Platinum soil to the level of 1cm, then sprinkle the correct measure of Bio Bactor, Bio Nitro, Rich One and Mironekuton over the soil, then add 1cm more Platinum soil so the total height of the soil is 2cm.

I use 4/6mm pipe to slowly fill the tank with water, you can use a larger pipe and pip the tank if you place the pipe on the empty soil bag or saucer to aviod disturbing the soil.

Now start to fill with pure ro water, the reason we use pure ro is to remove the excesses of macro- and micronutrients. Once the tank is full add another dose of Bio Nitro, mixed with about 20ml of tap water or water from a mature tank. Also add a dose of water conditioner, I prefer to use either SL Purify or Seachem Stability.

Tank is nearly full so have switched heater and filter on

Turn your heater on and set it to 31 degrees centigrade and turn your filter and lights on. Leave the lights on 24/7 for the first 2 weeks then switch them to your normal timed schedule (I recommend 8 hours of lights on a day).

Half dose of bacterial products

Bacterial bloom, shows the tank is maturing

​After 1 week do a 50 water change with pure ro water and add a half dose of Bio Bactor and Bio Nitro
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Repeat the weekly water change for the next 2 weeks
At the end of week 4 test your water parameters, they should be -
TDS 80 – 150
KH 0
GH 4 -6
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0 – 5

It is important that the ammonia is 0, if it is not keep repeating the weekly 50% water changes and adding half measure of bacteria products until the ammonia is 0.
Once you have the above parameter, add a dose of Trace Shrimp then start adding shrimp slowly. Only add a couple of shrimp to begin with and monitor them and the tank water parameter every few days.