How to Set Up a Shrimp Tank

I love animals. I always wanted a pet. However, I live in a small flat and work full time. Therefore, I decided to start a shrimp tank which should be manageable without being the whole day at home. This is an instructable on the setting up of my shrimp tank. Shrimps can be added 3-4 weeks after.

1. fish tank (about 16 gallons)

2. safety mat

3. Ebi Gold shrimp soil (very handy because it doesn't need to be cleaned)

4. Tetra crystalclear filterbox 300 (completely silent, but probably not shrimp safe - I will add a pantyhose at the suction inlets)

5. in vitro water plants: 2 for the front, 2 for the middle, 2 for the back

6. an okho stone for decoration and as a place to hide

- Where it can be easily seen.

- It must sit on a flat surface.

- Do not expose it to direct sunlight.

- Avoid heaters, ACs, radiators,...

- Put it on a safety mat.

- I ve used a special shrimp soil which doesn't need to be cleaned in advance. Additionally, it helps to keep the water clean, decreases the hardness of the water and lowers the PH

- Try to avoid plastic, use stones and wood suited for shrimp tanks (I went for an Okho rock, which looks amazing!)

- Press decoration firmly into the soil.

- Pour slowly over the decoration or use a plate. If you use a plate, take care that it is clean and free of soap.

- Stop filling the tank when the water level is a few inches above the soil.

- Take care of water quality. Use a water conditioner if necessary. Some shrimp even need osmose filtered water -> make that clear in advance.

- Use in vitro plants to be sure to avoid herbicides and parasites.

- Remove the agar gel so plants form roots in the soil.

- Don't touch the plants nor the water. You can use spoons, but again, take care that they are clean and free of soap.

- Bury the plants in the soil. Don't overdo it. Don't cover the whole plant with soil.

- Now you can gently fill the tank with water.

- The water in the tank will be pretty cloudy. Don't panic, that's ok.

- Use a filter which suits the size of your tank and is shrimp safe.

- If your filter is not shrimp safe, pull a pantyhose over the suction inlets.

- Install the filter at the side/corner of the tank to create a current and to hide.

- Turn the filter on. It has to run 24/7.

- I ve installed a DIY LED light (1x 3W white and 1x 3W blue LED on a single heatsink for 10W LEDs) with a DIY driver (LM350 regulator, resistor - see my other instructable on a DIY flashlight)

- You can also buy a light. Take care that it suits the purpose and size of your shrimp tank.

- Use a timer switch. Start with 5 hours of light a day. Increase half an hour per week until you reach 10 hours per day. This helps to prevent an algae plague.

- You are finished for now.

- You have to wait 3-4 weeks before you add shrimps. Your tank needs the time to get in balance.