Cycle Your Tank

Everything you need to know before your shrimp arrive.

01 - CREATE

Tank Setup

  • Tank size: 20L or more
  • Spongefilter: Creates gentle flow and protects baby shrimp
  • Heater: 22–24°C — slightly warmer temperatures can encourage breeding
  • Plants & moss: Important for baby shrimp survival and provide grazing surfaces
  • Tank mates: Avoid predators or aggressive species

Water Parameters

  • Temperature: 22–24°C
  • pH: 6.8–7.5
  • GH: 6–8 dGH
  • KH: 2–5 dKH
  • TDS: 150–220 ppm

Key rule: Stable water is more important than perfect numbers.

02-CYCLE

Prepare Your Tank

Allow your tank to establish a healthy biological
environment before adding shrimp.

  • Dechlorinate: Always treat tap water with a water conditioner
  • Add beneficial bacteria: Helps establish the biological filtration
  • Add live plants & moss: Provides hiding places, grazing surfaces and extra support for baby shrimp
  • Run the filter 24/7: Keep filtration and oxygenation consistent
  • Cycle for 2–4 weeks minimum: Give the tank time to mature before adding shrimp
  • Test before adding shrimp: Ammonia and nitrite should both be 0 ppm
  • Add shrimp gradually: Avoid adding a large number of shrimp to a newly established tank

Key rule: A mature, stable tank is more important than simply waiting a set number of days.

03 — TOUBLESHOOT

Common Shrimp Tank Problems

Shrimp are dying

  • Check ammonia and nitrite — both should be 0 ppm
  • Check that temperature and water parameters are stable
  • Avoid large or sudden water changes
  • Make sure tap water is always treated with dechlorinator

Shrimp are not active

  • Check temperature, oxygen levels and water parameters
  • Make sure the sponge filter is running continuously
  • Give new shrimp time to settle after introduction

Shrimp are not breeding

  • Give them time — a stable, mature tank is essential
  • Check that temperature and water parameters are within the recommended range
  • Make sure there is plenty of moss, plants and biofilm for grazing
  • Avoid frequent changes to the tank

Baby shrimp are disappearing

  • Check for predators or unsuitable tank mates
  • Make sure the sponge filter has a fine enough intake to protect shrimplets
  • Provide plenty of moss and plants for hiding
  • Keep water conditions stable

Water is cloudy

  • This can happen in a new or recently disturbed tank
  • Check ammonia and nitrite
  • Avoid overfeeding
  • Keep the filter running and allow the tank to stabilise

Algae is increasing

  • Reduce lighting duration
  • Keep the tank away from direct sunlight
  • Avoid overfeeding
  • Remember that some algae and biofilm are beneficial food sources for shrimp

Shrimp are moulting but dying afterwards

  • Check GH and KH, as minerals are important for healthy moulting
  • Avoid sudden changes in TDS or water chemistry
  • Keep parameters stable rather than trying to correct them quickly

Key Rule: When something goes wrong, test first and change things slowly. Sudden changes can stress shrimp more than slightly imperfect
parameters.