| NECESSARY: | |
|---|---|
| Tank or Bin | Aquariums or high grade plastic bins |
| Sand (quartz/silica) | Usually sold as play sand, beach sand, pool filter sand |
| Light (LED) | Any modern LEDs: Nicrew, Fluval, Hygger, garage lights, flood lights etc |
| Food or Dried Leaves | Any fish food, non-toxic fallen leaves like Oak, Maple, Indian Almond etc |
Material List
Here are the minimum materials needed. Setting up a successful shrimp tank does not require a lot.
Optional materials at the bottom
Step 1
Fill the tank with a thick sand layer and add water, a deep sand bed will provide many benefits to shrimp and plant health.
Step 2
Add plants and light. Set the light time according to plant mass. More plants = more light.
Add small sprinkle of fish food or dried leaves once a week.
Optional: add airstone, heater, wood and botanicals if you have them.
Step 3
After 1 month, introduce snails and observe their activity. Healthy snails should be crawling everywhere including substrate and water surface.
Dead snails, not moving, or all climbing to water edge means water is not ready, wait some more
Step 4
After a week or more of healthy snails, add shrimp!
Total time: 1.5 - 2 months
| OPTIONAL: | |
|---|---|
| Airstone | Strong air pump or sponge filter |
| Heater | If room is very cold |
| Wood and Botanicals | Non-chemically treated |
Optional, Good to Have
These are not required, but adding them may provide benefits to the tank.
I try to avoid products with drawbacks, many are not actually useful to cherry shrimp tanks.