[Shrimp keeping]

KH took 6 drops to turn yellow, looks like 50 ppm.

GH also took 6 drops to turn green, again looks like 50 ppm.

Based on this, it looks like I am on the low side. What is best to raise these to proper levels?

[Shrimp keeping]

I do have the API GH/KH testing kit. I will check with that and reply with what I find out. I have the same question as Jennifer, How many is a lot to start with?

[Shrimp keeping]

   A couple of years ago I saw some Cherry shrimp at my local fish shop and decided that I had to try shrimp. I have been keeping fish for decades so I didn't think that shrimp would be too difficult. I bought some and added them to a 10 gallon that had been running for about a year with some small tetras in it. Wasn't long and there were no shrimp. Since then I have watched countless videos on Youtube from various people, talked with my local shop and have been reading on here. I have seen baby shrimp twice in the last year but my numbers are not growing. 

   Currently that tank is shrimp only except for the snails that I try to keep from taking over. I am running a sponge filter that I purchased from Aquarium Co-op, no heater, live plants (java fern, hornwort, and some type of Anubis). Using the test strips I got from Aquarium coop I am getting these readings

Nitrate between 25-50

Nitrite - 0

Hardness GH - shows 300, might be more

Hardness KH - 80

PH - 7- 7.2

Are my Nitrates too high? 

Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. 

[Hello from Manchester]

Welcome

[Hello from Tennessee]

Thank you for the welcomes.. That is correct, I've have had that fish for 23 years. If I remember correctly it was 2 to 3 inches when I bought it. It is older than my son. 

[Hello from Tennessee]

I got my first aquarium when I was 15 (1985) that I bought with yard mowing money and have had at least one since then except for about 4 years in the early 90's. I currently have 3 running at the moment. A 10 that I am trying to do small shrimp in with some success (not great), a 30 that has been going since 1998 that currently has 3 female and 1 male Cherry Barbs, a pleco, and a catfish that I have had since 1998, and an 80 that I just set up a few months ago. It has Von Rio tetras, Neon Dwarf Rainbows, Corys, and a Dwarf Gourami. The 80 has been a challenge, I find it hard not to keep buying more tanks to set up for different fish, shrimp, etc....

Anyone know what type of catfish this is and possible life expectancy?