What Do I Need For A Shrimp Tank (The Basics)
Shrimp are amazing little helpers (cleaners) in any tropical aquarium. They add an exciting element and aesthetic and come in many different color varieties to complement any tank.
Below, I will discuss everything required for your shrimp to live their best life; these tips are great for shrimp breeding tanks and shrimp fry.
The Basics And Essentials Of A Shrimp Tank (Beginner Friendly)
- Tank (10 Gallon /38 Litres Minimum)
- Substrate
- Heater
- Lighting
- Filter (Sponge Filter)
- Good Quality Water
- Botanicals (Natural Elements)
- Crushed Coral
- Live Plants
For a thriving shrimp tank, shrimp need room to encourage breeding and space for all the live plants, sponge filters, and botanicals they need. A substrate is necessary for shrimp, as it helps them hold onto something when navigating the tank and harbors good bacteria and microorganisms.
Shrimp need a water temperature of around 57-86 degrees Fahrenheit (14-30 degrees Celcius) to flourish. Water quality is also essential, and an optimal pH of 6.5 and 8 is best. Good lighting is required for happy and healthy shrimp and live plants. It also encourages breeding and helps create biofilm, an excellent food source for shrimp. Your lights should be on between 8 and 10 hours per day.
Botanicals such as driftwood and leaves (Mulberry, Indian Almond, and Banana) add tannins to the water and decay; the shrimp enjoy eating the decaying leaves. The botanicals also provide the elements for biofilm to form, which is a favorite snack for shrimp, especially baby shrimp.
Adding botanicals to the tank will increase humic acid, so adding a little bit of crushed coral (aragonite) will improve your shrimp’s overall health and exoskeleton and help buffer the water, especially if your water is soft.
Sponge filters work great in a shrimp tank. They are cheap, low-tech, safe for baby shrimp, and give the tank an additional area for biofilm to grow and plant matter to collect, almost like an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Live plants are essential for any shrimp tank as they provide food (biofilm and decay), hiding spots, and help with the nitrates in your shrimp aquarium. Floating plants, Java Moss, and fast-growing plants like foxtail will entertain your shrimp and assist with algae control. House plants like Pothos are also a great idea with the roots in the tank.
