Procrypsis

Get what you want. Respect their opinion, but as long as it's your money and you are taking care of it, then you deserve it. Been in relationsips that the sig other was controlling. Not good. They ended quickly. I do not like others telling me what to do with my life.

2.5 gallon tank is way too small in my opnion. Shrimp do not like water quality changes and with a 2.5 gallon, it is hard to keep water quality stable. With 6 shrimp in the tank you should not be feeding them much at all - they prefer algae and detritus, fish food fouls the water if uneaten food is not removed within a few hours. Shrimp tanks hould be cycled for at least 4 weeks, preferably 6-8. Aqua soil helps, too.

If you want a neat puffer - check out Pao palustris, Mekong River puffer. A Fahaka would cost you more money in food and tank than the Spotted Congo would. And with most puffers tank mates are food. As with anything - do your research before committing.

🥲

neon green

Try whiptail cats. Lots of species to choose from, some are captive bred. They do not hide all day like most plecos.

Capture your waste in buckets and use it to flush toilets.

Escargot.

Gary.

Tequila.

Shrimp are delicate - especially when they are added to a new tank. I cycle my tanks for AT LEAST 4 weeks before adding any shrimp. That means set the tank up with aqua soil, plants, wood, rocks decorations etc. Use conditioned water of course. Then either add filter media from an established tank or use the liquid stuff. Folow the instrucitons and dose every day. 50% Water changes every week. Start testing at 4 weeks, every other day is fine. Once you get acceptable (and consistent) results for 3 consecutive tests, perform a ~75% water change. Test. If good, add shrimp. Mine can tolerate low levels of nitrates and ammonia better than adding them to a new tank . I found out from experience that there are no magic shortcuts or potions for cycling when it comes to shrimp. And I got my best results when I went to RO and remineralized water - you get consistent water quality every time!

Welcome! Lots of variety here from experienced aquarists to "help! my guppies died after a water change". It's great that you are someone willing to share their experience and knowledge.

Not very efficient at all. With all DIY stuff, proceed with caution, lots of inexperienced experts out there..........

Disagree to a point. It all depends on your water parameters - (both tank and supply) and the species you keep or want to keep. You can't control or improve what you don't measure.