Hello SCAPE! Richard (Neon Shrimp), Lee (guppies), and I will be providing a shrimp question and answer period. Our panel of answerers as well as any other member who knows the answer to your question will post ASAP. Since this thread is meant for freshwater shrimp, I cannot assure you that our answers to any other subject will be accurate. If there is a question in the archive bellow already answered, please try not to ask again. Hope this helps!
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Q: Do I need to use an air pump for my shrimp tank? I have read somewhere that it is needed for a shrimp tank and that most breeders have it. They would leave it on 24/7. What are the benefits of using it? Thank you.
A: The benefit and reason for using an air pump (with air stone/sponge filter) is that there will be added gas exchange (oxygenation) when the bubbles burst at the surface of the water.
Many, but not all of my tanks have air pump powered sponge filtration or air stones for this gas exchange. However, I do have smaller tanks that do well with HOB (hang on back) filters that allow for gas exchange and decent water flow throughout the tank, two things you want in your tanks.
Q: Is it safe to dose fertilizers in a shrimp tank?
A: Yes, it is safe as long as you use fertilizers that have less than 0.0001 ppm of Copper (Cu) in them. Examples of fertilizers that should no be used would be CMS+B and SeaChem Flourish Trace.
Q: If you feed your shrimp more food will they grow faster?
A: No, feeding your shrimp more will actually kill them. Overfeeding causes water quality issues and will stress shrimp. Shrimp will eat as much as they please when food is present, but graze on algae, bacteria, and bio-film most of the time.
Warmer water will actually speed up shrimp development, but you should only go 78 F maximum for Neocaridina spp. and 75 for Caridina spp. (Serrata complex).
How often do you feed your shrimp and how much?
A: I feed my shrimp every other day and sometimes every three days. The amount depends on how much your shrimp colony will eat in one to two hours, so gauge this and you will get an accurate idea of how much to feed.
I add a little Shirakura Baby Shrimp Food (or similar food) to keep the microorganisms available. This lessens the need for supplemental feeding and the risk of overfeeding. If there is a maintenance crew (snails, Otocinclus spp., or similar animals) in the tank then there will be more room for forgiveness.
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Originally Posted by Neon Shrimp
