Step-by-Step Guide to Setting up Your Shrimp Tank

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting up Your Shrimp Tank

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Choosing your shrimp

Even before setting up your shrimp tank you need to determine which kind of shrimp you want to keep. This is important because there are several freshwater shrimp species who each have different needs. The most common species are Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to start with the more forgiving Neocaridina shrimp that can be found in a big selection of colours.

Setting up the tank

Now that you have chosen your shrimp species, make sure you read more about them and know their water parameters. Now you can start with setting up your tank.

Step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Choose the right aquarium
2. Select the right equipment
3. Choose the right substrate
4. Setting up your equipment
5. Add plants and decorations
6. Adding bacterial powder
7. Fill the tank with water
8. Cycle your aquarium
9. Add the shrimp

By following these steps, you can set up a healthy and beautiful shrimp tank that will provide a comfortable and stimulating environment for your shrimp. Remember to maintain regular water changes and monitor water parameters to ensure a healthy and stable environment for your shrimp.

Step 1: Choosing the right aquarium

The first step in setting up a shrimp tank is choosing the right aquarium. Tanks come in various sizes, but a minimum size is a 30 liter tank. This is a higher minimum than most but it is in order to ensure stable parameters. The smaller the aquarium, the more unstable the parameters can be. The slightest change can cause a massive fluctuation in parameters. Also keep in mind that the stand of your aquarium can support its weight.

Step 2: Selecting the right equipment

You will need a few pieces of equipment to set up a successful shrimp tank. These include a a filter, a light, a thermometer, and optionally an air pump, and heater. Make sure to choose equipment that is suitable for the size of your tank and for your shrimp.

Here is a guide to choosing the right filter for your shrimp tank. As for lighting, it’s important for both plant growth and shrimp behaviour. LED lights are a popular choice as they provide a full spectrum of light and can be customised to mimic natural light cycles. The need for a heater is dependent on the type of shrimp you want to keep and on your standard room temperature.

Step 3: Choosing the right substrate

The substrate is the material that covers the bottom of the tank and provides a surface for plants and shrimp to live on. A good substrate for shrimp tanks is depended on the species of shrimp you want to keep. If you want to keep Neocaridina then you just need a soft non-abrasive type of substrate. If you however choose for a Caridina cantonensis, who prefer softer water. You will need a buffering/active substrate. Here is a guid to help you choose the right active substrate for you.

Step 4: Setting up your equipment

After following my guide to choose a filter, make sure you set it up follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The lighting settings are up to your choice of plants. A lighting period of 8 hours is commonly used. There are automatic lamps and programmable plugs available to time exactly when your light turns on and off.

Step 5: Adding plants and decoration

Adding plants and decorations to your shrimp tank can provide hiding spots for your shrimp and improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients. Plants, such as Anubias or Java Fern, are a good choice, as their roots can’t be planted in the substrate. Thus they pull the nutrients straight from the water column. For the same reason, floater plants, like red root floaters, duckweed, and water lettuce are also a great addition.

Step 6: Adding bacterial powder

This step is what setting up shrimp tanks apart from tanks for other species. Shrimp have an insatiable appetite for algae and biofilm, so let’s roll out the red carpet for them and give them a feast when they move into their new home!
How do we do this? By encouraging the growth of algae, which is usually something aquarium keepers work to prevent. But instead of fearing them we need them. To aid their growth there are special powders like Bacter AE that contain a blend of essential amino acids and beneficial bacteria. These are perfect for nurturing the growth of biofilm and algae. This in turn, provides a delicious and nutritious meal for your shrimp, ensuring they thrive in their new aquatic abode.
So, make sure you add this powder during tank setup and leave your light on for the cycling period, your shrimp will tank you later.

Step 7: Filling up your tank

Once you have set up the equipment and substrate, it’s time to fill the tank with water. First use a test kit to check your hardness parameters ( GH, KH) of your tap water. Compare these to the desired levels for the shrimps of your choice. When you want to keep Caridina cantonensis then you will need reverse osmosis/ distilled water in order to achieve the soft water parameters.

Make sure your water is dechlorinated, this can be achieved by either add a water conditioner to remove harmful chemicals from the water. or by aerating your water before you add it by running an air pump through it for at least 24 hours.

Step 8: Cycling your tank

This is the most important step in setting up your aquarium that is most often forgotten. You will need a lot of patience as cycling can take from 2 weeks up to several months. But this step ensures you won’t lose any of your new shrimp. In this article you can read more about the cycling of a shrimp tank. Make sure your tank is completely cycled and all water parameters are stable before proceeding to the next step.

Step 9: Adding your shrimp

Finally! The day is here where you can add your new friends to their home.

But not to fast! Don’t forget to acclimate the shrimp to the tank water by slowly introducing them to the new environment over several hours.

Enjoying your new shrimp tank

Now you can spend hours staring at your new friends and watch them explore their new home. Some even say this is more interesting than watching TV.

Now the only work left is to do regular maintenance and keep your shrimp healthy and well fed.