The Nano Shrimper

Place the nano tank (18–20 L) on a level surface away from direct sunlight. Use an aquarium mat underneath to distribute weight evenly. Rinse the substrate—active buffering soil (e.g. ADA Amazonia or Tropica Soil) works best for Caridina, while inert sand suits hardier Neocaridina. Slope the substrate gently from back (~4 cm) to front (~2 cm) for depth.

• ▸Confirm level with a spirit level before filling—nano tanks magnify tilt visually.
• ▸If using buffering soil, expect ammonia leach for 2–4 weeks; plan the cycle accordingly.

Add one or two small stones or a piece of spider wood as a focal point. Keep it simple—nano tanks look cluttered quickly. Scatter 3–5 alder cones and a few dried catappa leaf pieces on the substrate. These release tannins that lower pH and provide biofilm, a primary food source for shrimp.

• ▸Pre-soak driftwood for 48 hours to reduce initial tannin burst and waterlogging issues.
• ▸Avoid sharp-edged rocks that could damage shrimp during molting.

Attach Java moss and Christmas moss to hardscape using cotton thread or super glue gel. Plant Anubias nana on wood (never bury the rhizome). Fill gaps with subwassertang or mini pellia tucked between stones. These slow growers thrive under low light and provide surface area for biofilm and shrimplet hiding spots.

• ▸Spread moss thinly—thick clumps trap detritus and die underneath.
• ▸Quarantine new plants in alum dip (1 tbsp per gallon, 1–3 hours) to kill planaria or hydra, then rinse thoroughly.

Install a small sponge filter rated for 15–30 L—sponge filters provide gentle flow and zero shrimplet risk. Attach a 25 W adjustable heater band set to 23 °C. Position a low-output LED light (~10–15 lumens/L) on a timer for 7–8 hours daily. No CO2 injection needed.

• ▸Air-driven sponge filters double as biological media—never replace the sponge, only squeeze in old tank water.
• ▸Use a thermometer strip or digital probe to verify heater accuracy before adding livestock.

Fill with remineralized RO water (TDS 120–150 for Caridina, 180–250 for Neocaridina). Add a bacterial starter and let the tank cycle fully—ammonia and nitrite must read zero before stocking. During cycling, perform 20% water changes every 3 days to manage soil leachate. Monitor TDS, GH, KH weekly.

• ▸Ghost-feeding a pinch of shrimp food accelerates the nitrogen cycle.
• ▸A cycled sponge from an established tank can cut cycling down to 1 week.

Start with 8–10 shrimp to establish the colony. Drip-acclimate over 1–2 hours: place the bag contents in a container and add tank water at 2–3 drops per second via airline tubing. Release shrimp gently. Expect them to hide for 24–48 hours. Observe for active grazing and molting within the first week.

• ▸Never mix Caridina with Neocaridina in the same tank—they cannot hybridize (different genera), but their GH, TDS, and pH targets are incompatible and one species will fail.
• ▸A single berried female can produce 20–30 shrimplets; plan for population growth.

Shrimp primarily graze biofilm; supplement 2–3 times per week with specialized pellets, blanched spinach, or mulberry leaves. Remove uneaten food after 2 hours. Daily: check temperature, observe behavior (lethargy or erratic swimming signals stress). Top off evaporation with pure RO water to maintain TDS.

• ▸Overfeeding is the #1 killer in nano shrimp tanks—biofilm alone sustains a small colony.
• ▸A feeding dish keeps food localized and makes cleanup easier.

The tank reaches maturity around 8–12 weeks: moss fills in, biofilm coats every surface, and the colony begins breeding. Weekly: 10–15% water change with matched-TDS remineralized water. Monthly: trim overgrown moss, clean glass with a magnetic scraper, rinse pre-filter sponge in old tank water. Quarterly: test GH, KH, and replace botanicals.

• ▸Never change more than 20% water at once—shrimp are sensitive to parameter swings.
• ▸A mature nano shrimp tank is largely self-sustaining; resist the urge to over-maintain.