How Long Do I Have to Wait to Add Shrimp?

[KristenLD]

Hi, I recently set up a 1.5G cube with a filter (I'm using seeded media to cycle) and I would eventually like to put some shrimp in it. I was wanting to add 3-4 (Any babies will be sold/given away or put in my 5.5G.) It has sand substrate, some river stones and a rock from my yard, and a few plants. I know they need a good amount of bio-film/algae but how long will it be before there is a good enough amount for them? Thanks.

 

[PlantedCommunityTank132]

I would definitely add some bb before adding the shrimp. If you leave the light on for a hour longer than usual, it will probably be enough algae for them to begin with. You can feed your shrimp as well

 

[Cherryshrimp420]

1.5g is very small... I wouldn't add any unless it's heavily planted

 

[ProudPapa]

For the best chance at success wait at least three months.

 

[SotaAquatics]

If you are willing to supplemental feed and do a good job keeping the tank clean then they can be added right away. I have never had issues putting shrimp into a brand new tank. It can easily be done if you supplemental feed and watch water parameters.

 

[ProudPapa]

If you are willing to supplemental feed and do a good job keeping the tank clean then they can be added right away. I have never had issues putting shrimp into a brand new tank. It can easily be done if you supplemental feed and watch water parameters.

I have.

 

[Blacksheep1]

What shrimp are you looking at keeping ?

3 months for biofilm to grow in a new tank is ideal , but if you help that along with powder food and supplemental feeding, In my experience you’re still going experience losses. But tbf I don’t know your parameters , experience or the type of shrimp you want to keep.

either way though, a seasoned tank is preferred to a new one for shrimp.

 

[KristenLD]

What shrimp are you looking at keeping ?

3 months for biofilm to grow in a new tank is ideal , but if you help that along with powder food and supplemental feeding, In my experience you’re still going experience losses. But tbf I don’t know your parameters , experience or the type of shrimp you want to keep.

either way though, a seasoned tank is preferred to a new one for shrimp.

I wanted to keep RCS. My pH is 8.2 which I know is a bit high for shrimp but I did some research and people said they've kept shrimp at 8.2 and they were fine. As for experience, I've kept fish for a little over 2 years, but this will be my first time with shrimp.

I think I'll just leave the tank empty for a few months then. I don't want to run into a bunch of problems that I don't know how to deal with. Thanks for the info everyone.

EDIT: Question: I don't plan to heat this tank, so will a temp of 69 F (fluctuating to about 77 F in the summer) be okay?

 

[Shrimpee]

rather than how long in term of time..how ready is the tank in terms of water parameters?
say if you use water from your 5.5 cycled tank to fill and add BB...water parameters all within neocaridina range..you can add them right away. they are scavangers. they wont die cos no food. the food you feed they will nibble away and over time the rest becomes soft and the little newborns..smaller than a mosqito lava can eat them too.

for a 1.5G,,they are more likely to die due to drastic change in parameters over time..esp TDS...i measure the TDS in my 4G shrimp tank everyday..more than 100 shrimps in there..and TDS goes up about 5-10 per day...when it reaches 200 i change water( typical around 2 weeks. if i increase food fed the TDS goes up faster...so if TDS goes up more than 10 a day i reduce feeding..means the food disintegrated..not eaten.) to bring it down to 130ish and repeat . i add seachem stability each time i chnage water..about 20% of water.



the shrimps breed alot...

my shrimp tank...about 8 months now...tons of hiding place..they only come out when feeding. otherwise only a handful can be seen in front. last i counted about 10 different types of neocaridinas...now should be more..cos got new ones..some look like tiger caridinas but are actually cross breeds of neos..cos there isnt any caridinas in there. totally different parameters required for caridinas..they wont survive in this tank.

 

[ProudPapa]

I wanted to keep RCS. My pH is 8.2 which I know is a bit high for shrimp but I did some research and people said they've kept shrimp at 8.2 and they were fine. As for experience, I've kept fish for a little over 2 years, but this will be my first time with shrimp.

I think I'll just leave the tank empty for a few months then. I don't want to run into a bunch of problems that I don't know how to deal with. Thanks for the info everyone.

EDIT: Question: I don't plan to heat this tank, so will a temp of 69 F (fluctuating to about 77 F in the summer) be okay?

While it isn't ideal, neos will be fine in 8.2 pH. That's what mine is.

You don't need a heater. They'll be good with those temperatures, or even cooler. I have some outside in tubs that were iced over for two days a few weeks ago and they're swimming around like nothing happened.

 

[SotaAquatics]

I have.

That's fair, I fully agree that for most people, waiting is the best approach. And if someone has to ask this question, then waiting would be the best approach. I have started quite a few colonies or split existing ones and put them in newly set up tanks and I have had success with it using my techniques, so it works for me.