Upgrading Shrimp Tank - "how to" tips & tricks needed

Hello all - I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy. I need to upgrade my 6 gallon freshwater shrimp tank to a 10 gallon. I’ve had it for a year and a half now and it’s doing so well I am overrun with shrimp babies! Who knew they were the rabbits of the sea! They definitely need more space as I count anywhere from 50 - 60 adult shrimp plus the little micro shrimplets. I’ve never upgraded a tank before so I was hoping to get some tips on the best/safest method.

My plan was to use the type of sand substrate containing beneficial bacteria in the new 10 gallon tank. Then add about 3 gallons of new water. Then move the plants, decoration, rocks and sponge filter into the new tank. Then siphon almost all of the old water into the new tank avoiding any of the adult shrimp. Then I would scoop the remaining water and adult shrimps using a measuring cup. I hate netting shrimp. I always was feel like I’m damaging them. My concern is mostly for the babies. They are everywhere.

When I currently do a water change and clean out the poop (which there is a ton) I always end up with 10 to 20 baby shrimps in the bucket. It takes me about 45 minutes to get them back in the tank. I’m afraid that even if I siphon all the water that some will still be some at the bottom in the sand. I've found babies in the bucket after a cleaning in small droplets of water left in the bottom. So any tips on that would be great. Also do I transfer the old sand or just use the new stuff? I will be adding a second sponge filter into the bigger tank so I’ll have one on each corner. Do I need to do anything else? Should I add stress zyme as a precaution? What about water conditioner? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

You said something about using substrate that contains beneficial bacteria. I'm not familiar with that. Can you please clarify?

 

You said something about using substrate that contains beneficial bacteria. I'm not familiar with that. Can you please clarify?

Hello-I don’t remember the brand name but I buy it at the local pet store - a small family business. They sell sand that contains beneficial bacteria so there’s no need to cycle the tank. The sand itself is wet. I’ve used it in my 10 gallon fish tank initial set up and that’s been running great for three years. I also used it for my initial shrimp tank set up. Hope that helps. Thanks

 

Hello-I don’t remember the brand name but I buy it at the local pet store - a small family business. They sell sand that contains beneficial bacteria so there’s no need to cycle the tank. The sand itself is wet. I’ve used it in my 10 gallon fish tank initial set up and that’s been running great for three years. I also used it for my initial shrimp tank set up. Hope that helps. Thanks

Most beneficial bacteria is held in the filter, not substrate. It might help but it won’t eliminate the process of cycling.

 

I was recently in contact with a shrimp breeder/seller, asking him how best to upgrade to a larger tank. His suggestion was what they do - move all the old tank items & shrimp to the new tank. Make sure the additional water temperature matches. And use a product like fritzyme turbo start 700 to add nitrifying bacteria.
It sounds like you haven't tried vacuuming the waste up with a pantyhose piece rubber banded to the siphon. It allows the tiny poo through without siphoning up any fry.

 

This may help you understand live sand and what it contains and why its used
Live sand - Wikipedia

As for transfer I always take out all plants and decorations if you use them, let things settle then using a small bore tube i siphon whats left in the tank straight into the new tank done slowly with care youll get all of them, if the water goes to low just add some from the new tank as gentle as possible and repeat the process. This is the best way ive found myself

 

It sounds like you haven't tried vacuuming the waste up with a pantyhose piece rubber banded to the siphon. It allows the tiny poo through without siphoning up any fry.

Hi - I have tried that technique and unfortunately, the poop sticks to the panty hose and ends up just getting moved around the tank. I have tried a few methods but none of them seem to work. : (

Most beneficial bacteria is held in the filter, not substrate. It might help but it won’t eliminate the process of cycling.

I have used it twice for new tanks with no issues. I will be moving the old filter. Are you saying I need to cycle the 3-4 gallons of new water first? Or do I transfer the old substrate? thanks!

I was recently in contact with a shrimp breeder/seller, asking him how best to upgrade to a larger tank. His suggestion was what they do - move all the old tank items & shrimp to the new tank. Make sure the additional water temperature matches. And use a product like fritzyme turbo start 700 to add nitrifying bacteria.
It sounds like you haven't tried vacuuming the waste up with a pantyhose piece rubber banded to the siphon. It allows the tiny poo through without siphoning up any fry.

Thank you!!! I will give this a go- pretty much what I had planned but I wanted to make sure. I appreciate the reply. Have a great day.

As for transfer I always take out all plants and decorations if you use them, let things settle then using a small bore tube i siphon whats left in the tank straight into the new tank done slowly with care youll get all of them, if the water goes to low just add some from the new tank as gentle as possible and repeat the process. This is the best way ive found myself

Great suggestion - I'll let you all know how it goes. The plan for the upgrade is this Friday. Fingers crossed!

 

Hi - I have tried that technique and unfortunately, the poop sticks to the panty hose and ends up just getting moved around the tank. I have tried a few methods but none of them seem to work. : (

I actually use what's called a women's trouser sock. They're a bit heavier than pantyhose. So, I can pull the sock material really tightly, opening up the weave without tearing the sock. It does work far better than pantyhose.

 

I actually use what's called a women's trouser sock. They're a bit heavier than pantyhose. So, I can pull the sock material really tightly, opening up the weave without tearing the sock. It does work far better than pantyhose.

Doesn't the poop just stick to the outside of the material while the water siphons through? That always seeme to happen to me then I just end up spreading the poop around. I can definitely give it a try. thanks!

 

When I siphon to clean the bottom I use ¼" tube open purely to let the small shrimp go through putting a mesh over the tube only increases the chance of crushing and drowning the shrimp when they get stuck to the bottom

A small tube with a bit of stick attached allows you to guide the siphon gently over the bottom
If you hold a finger over the outlet helps to clear the area of shrimp and carry on with cleaning, even after all this time I still get shrimp in the bucket but all returned alive

 

When I siphon to clean the bottom I use ¼" tube open purely to let the small shrimp go through putting a mesh over the tube only increases the chance of crushing and drowning the shrimp when they get stuck to the bottom

A small tube with a bit of stick attached allows you to guide the siphon gently over the bottom
If you hold a finger over the outlet helps to clear the area of shrimp and carry on with cleaning, even after all this time I still get shrimp in the bucket but all returned alive

This sounds promising - better to grab one or two and not 20 so I'll give this a go. Much appreciated. I've been battling this poop war for a long time.

 

This sounds promising - better to grab one or two and not 20 so I'll give this a go. Much appreciated. I've been battling this poop war for a long time.

I've been using this method for 11 years holding the stick or hard tube just above the surface picks it all up

 

Doesn't the poop just stick to the outside of the material while the water siphons through? That always seeme to happen to me then I just end up spreading the poop around. I can definitely give it a try. thanks!

Using a trouser sock does work surprisingly well. When you pull it tight, the weave opens up enough to let in the poop but without letting in babies or tearing. Sure, it's not going to pick up 100% of the poo. But, I do think it gets enough to clean the substrate adequately & you don't have to spend forever catching all the little babies out of the bucket. You can get a pack of 8 or so on Amazon for about $13. I cut them up & use sections at a time till they wear out.
Good luck!

 

Hello-I don’t remember the brand name but I buy it at the local pet store - a small family business. They sell sand that contains beneficial bacteria so there’s no need to cycle the tank. The sand itself is wet. I’ve used it in my 10 gallon fish tank initial set up and that’s been running great for three years. I also used it for my initial shrimp tank set up. Hope that helps. Thanks

Thanks. I hadn't heard of that. By the way, you said earlier you're hesitant to use a net to catch shrimp. I wanted to mention that they make nets specifically for shrimp, with a very tight mesh. I have a couple of them I got from Amazon, and they work well. They're around $6.00. Here's the link.

 

Thanks. I hadn't heard of that. By the way, you said earlier you're hesitant to use a net to catch shrimp. I wanted to mention that they make nets specifically for shrimp, with a very tight mesh. I have a couple of them I got from Amazon, and they work well. They're around $6.00. Here's the link.

Thanks for sending that link!