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Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:17 Oct 2025 15:24
by odin
I wouldn’t bother, leave the lid off a bit and let the algae grow, once it’s ready put your shrimp in and put the lid back on. If you get worried about contamination you can add activated carbon along the way but it’s really not needed unless things start to go wrong.
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:17 Oct 2025 15:33
by Naz
Okay, thank you.
If there is a quicker way of getting algae to form would appreciate it
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:18 Oct 2025 20:57
by Naz
@odin
Would it be okay to add the shrimps to the jar before any algae has formed? I have been told with opeas thete is actually no need to wait for the tank to be cycled. I set up my jar 2 weeks ago today
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:19 Oct 2025 05:25
by odin
You can try, just keep an eye on ammonia, nitrite and nitrates.
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:19 Oct 2025 05:34
by Naz
Should the water they come in not help with that? As in since they would be in well established water adding that into the jar also help cycle the tank a lot quicker?
If not then I rather wait it out since this was the only seller I could find in England and he is selling me his last lot
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:19 Oct 2025 13:18
by odin
Yes use the whole lot.
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:22 Oct 2025 11:15
by Naz
Before I jump for joy, am I seeing algae forming on the lava rock?
Sorry not the best of pics
@odin
@opaeforever
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:22 Oct 2025 13:10
by odin
You should do with the tank being infront of the window like that
It may get over run with Algae so keep an eye on it.
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:22 Oct 2025 13:22
by Naz
Yaaayyy!! I am so excited.
I have just ordered my shrimps which will be posted tomorrow and arrive for Saturday.
@odin took your advice with leaving the lid off and I think that's what did it. I also attached a LED light to the lid which I left on at night with the lid half off, to help getting algae to grow quicker. I will leave the jar where it is for now and then move to a north facing window (which will be there home) so not in any direct light and keep the lod on once the opeas are in. Hopefully will get some more algae to grow in that way but not over take.
Next pics or vids you shall be getting from me will be me showing off my little adopted opeas

Thank you for all your help and guidance, it has been much appreciated 🫡
Re: First timer here! Can you add empty hermit shells to opea ula jar? As much advice appreciated
PostPosted:22 Oct 2025 14:33
by odin
No worries, you will get a lot of brown Algae to start with on the glass and rocks, I’d scrape it back from the glass if it annoys you but don’t worry about removing it all as it won’t hurt the shrimp and that will fall away and you will get green algae growing steadily.
If you get issues with algae taking over you can always look at light cycles and introducing a nerite snail.
Good luck
