My first shrimp aquarium

🦐 Setting up your first shrimp aquarium: the beginner's guide

Do you want to set up your first shrimp aquarium but don't know where to start? Tank, filtration, substrate, plants, water, nitrogen cycle, food... the information can quickly seem complicated when you're just starting out.

In this guide, we will look at how to set up a Neocaridina shrimp aquarium simply, step by step, without unnecessary equipment and without getting into overly complex techniques.

This type of setup is particularly suitable for:

• Red Cherry;
• Blue Dream;
• Sakura;
• Yellow Neon;
• Green Jade;
• Rili;
• White Pearl;
• and more generally the various Neocaridina varieties.

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🛒 What equipment do you need to start with shrimp?

You don't need to buy a huge amount of equipment to create your first shrimp aquarium.

Here is a simple base:

• an aquarium of at least 30 liters for a comfortable start;
• a filter suitable for shrimp;
• a substrate or sand suitable for your setup;
• lighting;
• aquatic plants;
• a thermometer;
• a timer for the lighting;
• a clean container reserved for water changes;
• possibly a heater if the room temperature is too low;
• water test kits to check your aquarium's parameters.

For a first aquarium, there's no need to look for an extremely technical setup. Simplicity and stability are often your best allies.

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📍 Step 1: choosing the right location for the aquarium

Before you even fill your aquarium, take the time to choose its location.

In particular, avoid:

• direct sunlight;
• placing it right in front of a window;
• a major source of heat;
• a place subject to strong temperature fluctuations.

Direct sunlight can encourage significant algae growth and increase water temperature.

Also, place the aquarium on a perfectly stable stand that is solid enough to support its weight once filled.

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💧 Step 2: what water to use for Neocaridina?

Tap water can be suitable for Neocaridina, but it depends directly on its composition.

It is therefore preferable to check at least:

• pH;
• GH;
• KH;
• nitrites (NO2);
• nitrates (NO3).

Above all, shrimp appreciate stable parameters. Avoid constantly chasing a perfect value by constantly modifying your water.

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🌡️ What temperature for Neocaridina shrimp?

A temperature of around 20 to 23°C is generally very well suited for keeping Neocaridina.

In a normally heated home, a heater is therefore not always necessary.

On the other hand, be particularly careful about high temperatures during the summer. Water that is too hot contains less oxygen and can become problematic for shrimp.

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🏗️ Step 3: preparing the aquarium and the substrate

Start by cleaning your aquarium simply with clear water.

Never use:

• dish soap;
• household cleaning products;
• conventional disinfectants.

If you use sand that requires rinsing, rinse it several times in a clean bucket to remove as much dust as possible.

Then install your substrate in the aquarium.

You can create a slight slope with more depth at the back to give your decor more visual perspective.

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🌿 Step 4: adding plants

Plants are particularly beneficial in a shrimp aquarium.

They notably allow you to:

• offer shelter areas;
• increase the surface area colonized by biofilm;
• reassure juveniles;
• contribute to the general balance of the aquarium;
• naturally limit the space available for certain algae.

For a first aquarium, favor relatively easy plants that do not necessarily require CO₂ injection.

Aquatic mosses are particularly beneficial for juvenile shrimp.

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💨 Step 5: installing filtration

Suitable filtration is essential to maintain a stable aquarium.

For shrimp, favor a filter that:

• has a reasonable flow rate;
• provides good oxygenation;
• has an intake that will not suck up juveniles.

Sponge filters are particularly popular in shrimp aquariums.

With a conventional filter, it is possible to secure the intake using a suitable sponge.

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🚿 Step 6: filling the aquarium

You can now fill your aquarium gradually.

The goal is to prevent the flow of water from displacing your substrate and plants.

Two simple techniques:

1. place a plate or a small container on the substrate and pour the water gently onto it;
2. use a small hose to fill the aquarium very gradually.

Take your time. Filling it slowly avoids having to redo your entire layout.

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💡 Step 7: adjusting the lighting

Plug your light into a timer to ensure a consistent duration each day.

For a freshly installed aquarium, you can start with about 6 hours of light per day, then adjust gradually based on the plants and the possible appearance of algae.

A very long duration of light from the first day is generally not necessary.

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🔄 Step 8: starting the filter… and waiting

Once the aquarium is filled:

• plug in the filter;
• start the lighting according to your timer;
• let the aquarium settle;
• monitor the parameters regularly.

Your aquarium is now running. 🎉

But it is not yet ready to house shrimp.

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⏳ Why wait before introducing shrimp?

This is certainly one of the most important steps when creating your first shrimp aquarium.

A new aquarium must go through what is called the nitrogen cycle.

Bacterial colonies will gradually settle in:

• the filter;
• the substrate;
• the various surfaces of the aquarium.

During this period, a nitrite spike may occur.

This waiting period also allows biofilm and microfauna to begin colonizing the aquarium, which is particularly beneficial for shrimp.

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🦐 When to introduce the first shrimp?

When your aquarium is cycled and its parameters are suitable for your Neocaridina, you can consider the arrival of your first shrimp.

Avoid dumping the contents of the transport bag directly into the aquarium, however.

Shrimp are sensitive to significant changes in parameters.

It is therefore recommended to perform a gradual acclimatization, ideally via a drip system.

This allows the shrimp to adapt gradually to:

• temperature;
• mineralization;
• pH;
• and more generally to the new water.

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🍽️ What food to choose when starting with shrimp?

Once settled, your shrimp will spend a large part of their day roaming the aquarium in search of food and biofilm.

It is worth offering them a varied diet rather than continuously distributing the same recipe.

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👶 And when the first juvenile shrimp arrive?

If maintenance conditions are good, you will gradually be able to observe berried females and then tiny baby shrimp in your aquarium.

Juveniles spend much of their time on surfaces rich in biofilm and near areas where they feel safe.

To help them:

• keep mosses and vegetated areas;
• avoid cleaning all surfaces of the aquarium at the same time;
• let part of the biofilm develop;
• avoid predatory fish;
• use food adapted to their small size.

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❌ Mistakes to avoid in your first shrimp aquarium

To give yourself the best chance of success, avoid the following:

• ❌ introducing shrimp immediately after filling the tank;
• ❌ making very large, sudden parameter changes;
• ❌ using soap or household products in the aquarium;
• ❌ overfeeding the shrimp;
• ❌ leaving the aquarium in direct sunlight;
• ❌ constantly modifying parameters to chase a "perfect" value;
• ❌ introducing many animals too quickly;
• ❌ forgetting to protect the filter intake for juveniles;
• ❌ introducing shrimp without gradual acclimatization.

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✅ Summary: your first shrimp aquarium in 10 steps

1. Choose a suitable aquarium and location.
2. Test your water.
3. Install the substrate.
4. Add plants and hiding spots.
5. Install a filtration system suitable for shrimp.
6. Fill the aquarium gradually.
7. Program the lighting.
8. Let the nitrogen cycle establish itself.
9. Verify that parameters are stable.
10. Acclimate your first shrimp gradually.

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🔽 Final thoughts

Creating your first Neocaridina shrimp aquarium is not complicated at all when you follow a few simple rules.

Don't try to multiply equipment or constantly modify your water. A shrimp aquarium works primarily through stability, patience, and good observation of its inhabitants.

Once the cycle is finished, your parameters are stabilized, and your first shrimp are properly acclimated, you will finally be able to enjoy their behavior… and perhaps quickly observe your first berried females and your first baby shrimp. 🦐