Shrimps In Biorb

Do you have an internal filter in addition to the built in one that comes with biorbs? If you do, it's fine to move the substrate. But if you don't, and are just using the built in filter, the substrate is actually the bio media and won't work properly unless it is spread out evenly. The built in filter is basically an undergravel filter with the box being a prefilter.

Having said that, you would be fine with shrimps in there. Red cherry shrimps are the most commonly available and the hardiest of the small shrimps. They will do better with plants though - but it is not a good idea to plant them in the biorb's media. Things like java fern or one of the smaller species of anubias fastened to a rock or piece of wood is the better option. Or even hornwort floating in the tank. Shrimps like to graze on these plants and they need somewhere to hide when they moult until the new skin hardens as they are very vulnerable during this time.
But before you buy shrimps, I need to ask if the tank is cycled yet. Shrimps are more sensitive to ammonia and nitrite than fish so you need to have a tank that is totally free of them before putting shrimps in.

Hi Robert,  can I ask you how long your biOrb took to cycle?  Mine's taking forever!!

Liz

Liz & Sue - sorry about the delay in answering. My water is very hard in this area, but I "seeded" the tank with some substrate from an existing set-up. I put in 2 dwarf albino bristle nosed after about 3 weeks. So far everything is going to plan. One slight problem I had , was that one of the albino's managed to get itself into the base of the filter box. This is my fear if I put shrimps in. I have silk plants, plus some real Java Moss, and a Anubias Petite.