Hardy's Dual Shrimp Tank Build

[Triton]

MTS has officially taken over. Over the weekend I saw a dual 10g tank stand that my gf dad was planning on using for scrap, I snagged it, cleaned off the rust and hit it with a quick shot of paint. I had planned to just sell it, however I kinda have gotten hooked.

So since my current 10g shrimp tank is doing so well, I have decided to try to actually help the hobby pay for itself with shrimp. Current plans are:

10g Sunkist Shrimp Tank (unless I can find something more interesting)
10g Yellow Shrimp Tank

I kinda want to avoid the crystal shrimp until I have a better handle of what I am doing.

Shopping List (if anyone has any recommendations for these please let me know and link it for me)

2 - 10g tanks (I think petco has $1/gal right now)
2 - tank heaters
4 - sponge filters
Thinking black sand substrate
2 - Glass tops

I already have the lights and the tank will be scaped simple, just a piece of driftwood with moss and a floating plant in the tank

[Knightia]

Nice. Photos please!

[Triton]

Below is a picture of my current 10g. The new ones won't be as complicated. Like I said, simple scaping including black sand, 1 longer piece of driftwood and some moss.

Just tried big Als online and got priced $165 shipped for the following:
50lbs Tahitian Moon Sand
2 Aquaclear 20's (no media)
2 jager 50W heaters
2 Seapora 60 sponge filters

Anyone able to find a better deal? That is a little out of my budget

2013-04-19_18-20-16_124.jpg

The little swimming things are the brigittaes :)

[mojosodope]

http://dealnews.com/m/deal.html/685646.html

$1 per gallon deal ends on the 27th so check your local petco. Don't forget to snag a reliable air pump and lighting if you're going to have any.

[Triton]

Already have an airpump that I didn't need for my 55, will easily cover both 10's

So far best prices I've seen:
Big Als - 50lbs of black sand $50 shipped
Petsmart - Aquaclear 20's $19 ea
Big Als - Sponge filter $6 each

[mojosodope]

Drsfostersmith has the aq20 for $5 more but you get a year's worth of media free with rebate

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=3610

They also have sponge filters as low as $3.09 on sale now.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=3954

[Triton]

Yea, Petco has similar deal. It is for up to 12 carbon packs and 6 sponges... As many as you buy you get a rebate for... So I could get up to like $42 back... but I'd be stuck with a life times supply of media lol

Do I need to sponge filters if I am doing the aquaclears?

[Knightia]

I shall follow this with interest. What a great little project. Those filters are very good value (compared to here in the UK)!

[mojosodope]

Hey you never know when you might need seeded media for another tank lol. IMO I would do either the aquaclears or the sponge filter, not both. If you choose to go with the aq20s just make sure to use a prefilter sponge, you don't want to be sucking up baby shrimp through the intake!

[Triton]

Yea def with the pre-filter sponge. The reason I am thinking the two-aqua's is b/c I can always use them, and I have the air pump if I ever need it.