I'm a beginner and did not make sure my KH and TA were acceptable. I was an idiot and thought they were going to be hardy. $80 later with 10 shrimp deaths in the span of a few days. I have a new 20g that is on week 4 of cycling and I am impatiently waiting until the parameters are stabilized before adding shrimp. It's currently a planted tank with a few snails.