Shrimp and Snail struggles

[BDizzle]

I’m having trouble keeping nerite snails and ghost shrimp.  Many die soon after introducing them to the tank.  I haven’t been feeding them anything special but I’m wondering if they are starving.  They keep the glass and driftwood clean and they seem to like banquet blocks, but the guppies tend to devour those immediately.  Guppies are thriving and breeding like crazy. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

20gal, 2yrs old, live plants, sponge filter, 76 degrees, ammonia/ nitrite/ nitrate 0/0/20-40, ph 7.8

[tike]

Have you added any medications lately? Snails and shrimp are sensitive to some of the meds that are helpful for fish or algae control.

[Riiz]

What is you GH/KH? Does your household use a water softener?

[BDizzle]

Thank you for the feedback.  I don't use any medications, but I dose easy green and easy potassium a few times a week just to keep the java fern and anubias alive.  I rarely change any water because the plants keep the nitrate low.  I don't know the current GH/KH, but I've tested it before with strips and it was on the high end of the spectrum.  I have municipal water without a water softener.  The aquarium coop fertilizers claim to be shrimp and snail safe.  Could those be an issue?

[Steviesfish]

If it is a feeding issue. I’ve heard some people say Nerite snails are active at night, mine seems to be. You could try putting the food in after lights out when the guppies are less active. 

[tike]

I would try water changes first. Have you ever tested your tapwater?

[Maximus]

45 minutes ago, BDizzle said:

The aquarium coop fertilizers claim to be shrimp and snail safe.  Could those be an issue?

I highly doubt it, tons of people here including the owner himself keep shrimp and snails in tanks that get dosed with this fertilizer. Unless it became contaminated in an odd way, I'd look closer at the gH, pH, kH, and temp stability. 

Maybe pick up a copper test kit?

[BDizzle]

Great ideas!  I'll try feeding some banquet blocks at night.  They do tend to move around more at night.  Also, I'm very curious about the gH/kH and copper values, so I'll get some test kits.  What should I aim for if they need correction?  My tap water annual quality report has up to 0.033ppm copper detected.