Step by Step: Lubao and Kallax ball

There must be sufficient grazing material for the shrimp to consume when you are away. Shrimps graze 24/7 and if you have a small tank without much surface area for biofilm to grow fast enough, it is risky. In addition if you have a lot of shrimp they can strip the biofilm in your tank in a day or 2. When shrimps start to go without sufficient biofilm it triggers cannibalisms, which means they will start preying on each other. This is detrimental if you are doing a selection process as your stock shrimp will be at risk. Hence, having a good source of grazing material not only is critical for a small tank, it enhances the probability of breeding as well.

Directions before using:

• Soak the ball 3-6 days in RO Water and change the water daily
• Pour the water used for soaking away, do not pour the soaking water back into the tank
• place it in the tank, preferably in a feeding dish
• use 1 ball per tank
  • General rule:
    • 30L and above can use Lubao
    • 30L and below can use Kallax ball
    • 30L and below with a lot of shrimps i.e more than 20, can use lubao too (Soak 5-6 days)
  • If you have a big tank with less than 20 shrimps, there is really no need to use, but if you would like to use, the Kallax ball is more appropriate
  • if you have a heavily planted tank, there is actually no requirement of using the ball
  • if you are traveling on vacation, lubao or kallax ball is used to help provide additional grazing material on top of other grazing material such as leaves, moss etc. The ball do not replace food, when you come back from vacation/work, you’ll need to resume feeding regime.

Directions during using:

• If you have a lot of shrimps, you will not see massive biofilm growth as shrimp has eaten them, means it’s good.
• if you have lesser shrimp, you will see a lot of biofilm. If there is too much biofilm growth, you should consider using the Kallax ball than the lubao.

Directions during exchanging:

• During replacement, use a net to take the ball out and quickly bag, seal and throw away the ball. When the ball is outside of the water, it will smell so quickly seal it and throw.
• put in a new ball that has been soaked for 3-6 days.

Signs on removing:

• When you experience cloudy water, remove the ball
• Let the tank undergo a mini cycle as there isn’t sufficient beneficial bacteria
• During the fermenting process to create biofilm, ammonia is release, hence a good cycled tank with beneficial bacteria will be able to convert the ammonia into nitrite and nitrate. Hence, if cloudy water is experience, remove the ball. A bacteria bloom is happening as there is now more food for the beneficial bacteria to feed and multiply. once clear, soak another new ball and put it in. this time it will be ok or use the kallax ball if you’re using the lubao initially.

In doubt, always ask. I can be contacted via facebook messenger benetay or email which can be found in the contact section.

I believe in this “Each one, Teach one” so don’t be shy and contact me on how to use it.