Originally Posted by
BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3279684
Do yourself a favor, and get a refractometer, hydrometers (ALL not just the swing arms) are not as accurate and go bad over time.
Peppermints hide, you'll likely find more. I hardly ever see mine and I've went days without seeing my Skunk Cleaners as well. Depends on your rock work/fish, etc with them and just how social they are. I have a mated pair and it's a heavily fed tank, so they hide more often since they don't have to scavenge for food so much.
Changes in salinity is a very common cause of death in shrimp. It also causes them to molt more often. Are you sure the shrimp you thought were dead are actually dead, they may have just been shocked and molted?
Also, water conditions affect shrimp more so than fish, IMO, you need to lower your nitrates still.
I know that three are definitely dead (2 cleaners, 1 peppermint) because I saw their bodies being eaten by other scavengers. It was pretty disturbing and depressing.
My nitrate has always been around 20-25. I did have a spike once and did lose a few fish, but never did lose a single shrimp.
Like I said, I've never had any problems with my shrimps. I'll just have to be more careful next time. I'll also go ahead and purchase a refractometer.