There’s nothing more stunning than a thriving aquatic ecosystem brimming with brightly colored shrimp. Though it may look like little more than a tank filled with water and decorations, a healthy aquarium is a complex environment, and it takes time to cultivate.
Knowing how to set up a shrimp aquarium properly is just as important as understanding how to maintain it. If you don’t start with a strong foundation, you’re more likely to have difficulty keeping your tank parameters stable, which could spell trouble for your shrimp.
If you’re new to the aquarium shrimp hobby, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to help you learn what you’ll need for a beautiful shrimp tank and walk you through the steps to set it up and maintain it. Let’s get started!
What You Need Before You Begin
You don’t need to be an expert in aquascaping to set up and design an aquarium for your shrimp. Keeping aquarium shrimp is incredibly rewarding, and it’s a great option for beginners, too. That being said, having the right equipment and accessories makes all the difference.
Here’s what you’ll need to set up a shrimp aquarium correctly:
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Aquarium – A minimum tank size of 5 gallons is recommended, though a 10- or 20-gallon tank might be easier to maintain.
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Aquarium cover and stand – It’s crucial to ensure your tank is properly supported and covered to reduce evaporation.
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Filter – Gentle filtration is key, so consider a sponge filter or another style with an adjustable flow rate.
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Heater – A heater may not be required in warm climates, but it can help to prevent potentially harmful swings in water temperature.
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Lighting – An aquarium light helps show off your shrimp to their best advantage and provides critical energy for live plants.
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Substrate – Consider a dark-colored substrate so the colors of your shrimp really pop.
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Decorations – Provide rocks, caves, and driftwood for your shrimp to explore and hide in.
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Water conditioner – Necessary to remove chlorine and other chemicals from treated tap water.
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Water test kit – Crucial for monitoring the nitrogen cycle after setup and for monitoring water parameters moving forward.
If you’re hoping to simplify things by purchasing a starter kit for shrimp or a beginner aquarium kit, make sure it includes everything on this list. These kits often come with the basics but might not include a heater or maintenance essentials like a water test kit.
Step-by-Step Setup & Cycling
Once you’ve assembled everything you need to set up your shrimp aquarium, take a moment to double-check your list. The last thing you want is to get halfway through setup to discover you’ve forgotten a key piece of equipment or that decoration you’ve been looking forward to using. When you’re ready to begin, here’s what to do:
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Wipe down the tank (rinse it out if it can fit in your sink) and place it on the stand.
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Rinse your substrate (unless the package says not to) and add it to the tank.
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Fill the tank about 1/3 full with water, then add your decorations.
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Install your filter and heater, but don’t turn them on yet.
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Fill the tank the rest of the way with water and add the recommended amount of water conditioner.
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Add your aquarium plants, if using any.
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Plug in your heater and filter, adjusting the settings as needed.
With your tank full and running, the last step is to let it cycle. This involves giving the tank time to develop a colony of beneficial bacteria that break down waste and help maintain stable water chemistry.
There are several ways to do it, but the key ingredient is time. Don’t introduce your shrimp until the tank has fully cycled.
For more detailed instructions, check out this guide for cycling a Neocaridina shrimp tank.
Choosing & Introducing Shrimp Safely
After you’ve set up your shrimp aquarium, you’ll need to give it a few weeks to cycle. That gives you plenty of time to decide what type of shrimp you want to stock and make any necessary adjustments to your tank specific to their needs. If you’re not sure where to start, Neocaridina shrimp are great for beginners, and they come in a wide variety of colors.
When you’re ready to buy your shrimp, start with a colony of 5 to 10. Adding too many shrimp at once could overload your biological filter, causing your tank to cycle all over again. Acclimate your shrimp slowly to their new habitat and monitor the tank parameters closely, keeping an eye out for ammonia spikes.
Shrimp Care & Tank Maintenance Tips
If you’ve taken the time to carefully plan your shrimp aquarium and set it up properly, maintenance should be a breeze. You’ll need to cater your care to the specific type of shrimp you choose, but the basics are pretty simple.
Here are some general tips for freshwater shrimp care:
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Feed your shrimp very small amounts at a time. As your tank matures and develops more biofilm and algae, your shrimp may only need 2-3 supplemental feedings per week.
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Test your tank water at least once a week to monitor for changes in parameters. Minor changes can be significant in small tanks.
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Keep an eye out for breeding activity. If your tank is healthy, your shrimp should breed naturally (and you may need to think about how to handle increasing colony size).
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Perform small water changes as needed to keep nitrate levels as low as possible.
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Check your aquarium equipment weekly to make sure it’s functioning properly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance.
Wrapping Up
Shrimpy Business offers everything you need for a successful shrimp tank, from healthy shrimp to high-quality supplies, because a thoughtful, well-planned setup is the foundation of long-term success.
Take your time and avoid rushing the process; slow and steady is essential, especially when cycling your tank to make it safe for your shrimp.
If you’d like personalized advice on building your setup or caring for your new shrimp, contact us for expert guidance.