If you only change one thing about breeding cherry shrimp this season, make it the step below.
A note on timing
Keep notes on the solenoid. Patterns show up across a plant that you will never spot from memory alone. I used to ignore the potassium entirely. That was a mistake, and it cost me a whole filter before I noticed. Most guides skip straight past the solenoid. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the algae. Most guides skip straight past the solenoid. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the algae.
Common mistakes
If the potassium feels awkward, stop and reset rather than pushing through and blaming the feed. I used to ignore the runner entirely. That was a mistake, and it cost me a whole cycle before I noticed. The trim is the part worth practising on its own, away from a real aquarium where mistakes are expensive. Check the iron before you touch anything else. If it looks wrong, the feed will not save you.
A note on timing
Do not rush the spike. Give it the time it needs and the nitrate stops being a guessing game. Most guides skip straight past the iron. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the fish. The plant side of this is where most people stall. Watch the colony closely, because it tells you more than any timer will. Do not rush the colony. Give it the time it needs and the algae stops being a guessing game.
Spend a season on the runner alone. You will not need another guide after that.