The Ultimate Guide to Shrimp Water Parameters

The Ultimate Guide to Shrimp Water Parameters

Maintaining stable water/aquarium parameters is essential for the health and well-being of all the aquatic life in your tank.

Aquarium parameters refer to the various physical and chemical factors that can affect the quality of the water in your tank, this includes pH, temperature, water hardness, and dissolved oxygen. Next to these parameters, ammonium, nitrites and nitrates also play a big role in keeping your animals alive and thriving, these will be talked about in the ‘how to cycle a shrimp aquarium’. 

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Most important parameters

• pH: pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the water in your tank. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Most aquatic animals have a preferred pH range, and fluctuating pH levels can cause stress and even death. It is important to maintain a stable pH within the appropriate range for the species of shrimp in your tank.
• Temperature: Temperature is another important factor to consider when keeping shrimp. Different species have different temperature requirements, and fluctuating temperatures can cause stress and illness.
• Hardness: Hardness refers to the amount of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, in the water. Hardness can be divided into two categories: carbonate hardness (KH) and general hardness (GH). Neocaridina and Caridina have different hardness requirements, and fluctuating hardness levels can cause stress and illness. It is important to maintain stable hardness levels within the appropriate range for the shrimp in your tank.
• Dissolved oxygen: Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in the water. Aquatic animals need oxygen to survive, and low DO levels can cause stress and death. It is important to maintain stable DO levels within the appropriate range for the species in your tank. This is less important to test.

Testing parameters

In order to keep these parameters stable you will need to learn how to measure them. There are several methodes to monitor your parameters:

• Test kits, like the API master test kit, will allow you to measure specific values at a time. They use an indicator chemical that will change colour depending on the water’s value.
• Strip testers are a quick and easy way to measure different parameters in one go
• Digital testers are a bit more expensive but offer a quick result and there is no need for chemicals, it also allows continues testing

To keep aquarium parameters stable, it is important to regularly test and monitor the water quality in your tank. Definitely also test your tapwater parameters to establish a baseline. If any parameters are outside of the appropriate range, it is important to take steps to correct them, such as adding a water conditioner or using a heater.

The pH of a shrimp tank

Having a correct pH is very important for your shrimp. Having too acidic or alkaline water will cause molting problems and will ultimately result in the death of your shrimp. The optimal value for shrimps lays between 5,5 and 8. However, there is a difference in optimal value between the Caridina and Neocaridina species. So, it’s crucial to research the particular species of shrimp you want to keep so their optimal pH needs can be met.

The general values are displayed here, but they can differ for some shrimp.

Maintaining the proper pH level in an aquarium can be challenging, as many factors can influence pH, such as water source, substrate, rocks, plants, and even the metabolism of the aquatic organisms themselves. However, there are several ways to lower or raise the pH in a shrimp aquarium.

Lowering the pH

To lower the pH, one can add acidic substances to the water, such as peat moss, driftwood, or Indian almond leaves. These natural substances can release tannins and other organic compounds that can lower the pH.

But if you really want to lower your pH and KH at the same time, the best option is to use an active/buffering substrate. This will lower and stabilise the pH for you, but they only work for a certain time period. So the substrate needs to be changed every so often.

Raising the pH

To raise the pH in a shrimp aquarium, one can add alkaline substances to the water, such as crushed coral, limestone, or aragonite. These substances can release calcium and carbonate ions, which can increase the pH. Normal tap water is usually already at a good pH for keeping Neocaridina.

Maintaining the pH

It’s important to note that sudden and significant changes in pH can be stressful or even fatal to aquatic organisms. Therefore, it’s essential to make any adjustments to pH gradually and monitor the water parameters regularly. Regular water changes and maintaining a healthy, balanced aquarium can also help maintain the pH levels in a shrimp aquarium.

The temperature of a shrimp tank

Shrimp are ectothermic, which means their body temperature is regulated by the environment around them, making the temperature of the tank a critical aspect of their breeding and survivability. Different species of shrimp have different temperature requirements, but most species of freshwater shrimp thrive in temperatures ranging from 20-26°C (68-78°F). The optimal temperature range is dependent on the species of shrimp.

Temperature can significantly impact the breeding and survivability of shrimp. Maintaining a consistent temperature is essential for shrimp breeding. Inconsistent temperature changes can lead to shrimp molting issues, which can make it challenging for them to survive, let alone reproduce. Temperature fluctuations can also reduce the hatch rate of shrimp eggs, which can negatively impact the population of shrimp in the tank.

The hardness of the water of a shrimp tank

Hardness refers to the amount of primarily calcium and magnesium ions in the water. There are two types of hardness that are important to monitor in a shrimp tank: GH (general hardness) and KH (carbonate hardness).

GH measures the total concentration of dissolved minerals in the water, while KH measures the water’s buffering capacity. Shrimp thrive in a specific range of GH and KH, depending on their species.

If the water in a shrimp tank is too hard, it can lead to molting issues, which can be fatal to shrimp. Conversely, if the water is too soft, it can lead to a lack of minerals and negatively impact shrimp health and breeding rates.

Lower the GH and KH of your water

One way to create soft water in a shrimp tank is to use reverse osmosis (RO) water. RO water is produced by removing dissolved solids from tap water through a semi-permeable membrane. This process can reduce the hardness of the water and make it suitable for shrimp that require soft water.

When using RO water in a shrimp tank, it’s essential to re-mineralize the water with a commercial product that adds minerals back into the water. These products typically contain a mix of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, that shrimp require to thrive. There are products that raise only the GH or raise both GH and KH.

Raise the GH and KH of your water

In addition to using RO water, it’s also possible to increase the hardness of the water in a shrimp tank by adding extra minerals to the water. Remineralisers can also be used with normal tap water to increase the hardness to your desired level.

Dissolved Oxygen in a shrimp tank

If your tank is well planted and/or is using an air pump then there is no need to worry about your dissolved oxygen levels. Therefore there is no need to test this. If however you don’t use an air pump, your oxygen levels might be too low. Try ensuring that your filter creates enough surface agitation or add an air pump and more plants to your aquarium.

Conclusion

Overall, maintaining stable aquarium parameters is essential for the health and well-being of your shrimp’s life. By regularly testing and monitoring the water quality and taking steps to correct any issues, you can help ensure that your shrimp thrive.