Water Change Method

So I'm very new to the hobby. Both as far as shrimp keeping and aquariums in general go. About a week ago I got fifteen little cherry shrimp. I was wondering how best to go about water changes. Before I got these shrimp while I was waiting for the tank to cycle I just was pouring water in, but I read somewhere that the best way to keep them from getting stressed out by water changes was to drip the water in as opposed to pouring it in. I was curious about the validity of that/what the best way to do a water change with little shrimp is.

 

When I do water changes in my 10 gallon, I take out 1 gallon, using a length of air tubing and carefully suck up gunk on the bottom, checking the bucket carefully to make sure there are no baby shrimp, then when I add the water (prime added and temp matched), I use a water gallon jug (marked and used only for filling tanks) and place the jug on the tank lid and use the air tubing again to refill slowly. I can take a picture of the refill in the morning.

 

When I do water changes in my 10 gallon, I take out 1 gallon, using a length of air tubing and carefully suck up gunk on the bottom, checking the bucket carefully to make sure there are no baby shrimp, then when I add the water (prime added and temp matched), I use a water gallon jug (marked and used only for filling tanks) and place the jug on the tank lid and use the air tubing again to refill slowly. I can take a picture of the refill in the morning.

That would be awesome thank you! That definitely makes more sense than the nonsensical contraption I had to try and accomplish the same thing. I just wanna do well by my new shrimp ^_^

 

I do it the same as Mhamilton0911 I use a length of airline tubing with a control valve on the end that drips into the tank. I zip tied a small round paint brush handle to the other end to keep it from curling. I hold it at the bottom of the container the refill water is in with a suction cup. When I change out a gallon of water in my 2.5 gallon shrimp bowl it can take an hour or more to drip that gallon of water back in there. By keeping the airline at the bottom of the container I can start it running and basically forget about it until it is done.

I siphoned out my first baby shrimp today. The babies are super super tiny so hard to see. Siphoning into a white container will help you see any that have taken a ride up the siphon hose.

 

Pic 1, diy tiny gravel vacuum. air line tubing attached to bbq skewer. Cup used to catch the water, also important to check for shrimps before dumping, if one makes it in here, I catch in a table spoon and toss back in the tank. Plus this cup is 4cups, so I remove 4 of these to equal a gallon to replace.

Pic 2. Treated water jug above the tank, I use a shelf, but the cheesy plastic lid I had on before this held the jug as well. Put skewer and of the tubing in the jug.

Pic 3. Start siphon and place end of tube in the suction cup holder. This is totally optional, but this makes sure the line doesn't come out of the tank and make a water mess on the floor. Ask how I know, lol.

Pic 4. Ta da! Easy peasy. Shrimp tank done.