Adding shrimp to your aquarium can be an exciting way to bring new life and color into your tank. However keeping shrimp healthy requires careful attention to water parameters. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to use a filter in a shrimp tank.
Why Filtration Matters for Shrimp
Shrimp are extremely sensitive to water quality. Ammonia and nitrite, two byproducts of waste in an aquarium, are highly toxic even in small concentrations. Poor water quality is one of the leading causes of shrimp deaths.
Unlike fish, shrimp do not produce as much waste. However any ammonia or nitrite can quickly poison shrimp. That’s why establishing effective biological filtration is critical.
Beneficial bacteria in a filter convert ammonia into nitrite and then into less harmful nitrate. Without proper filtration ammonia and nitrite levels can spike, putting shrimp at risk.
While it’s possible to create a filterless planted shrimp tank, it requires an experienced hand. For most beginners, adding a filter is the safest way to keep shrimp.
Can You Have a Shrimp Tank Without a Filter?
It is possible to keep shrimp without a filter if the tank is heavily planted. The idea is that plants will utilize the ammonia, essentially acting as natural filtration.
This is often called a “Walstad method” tank after Diana Walstad’s book on natural planted aquariums. When properly balanced, plant growth and shrimp bioload reach equilibrium.
However, these types of tanks require careful setup:
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The tank must be extremely dense with fast-growing plants like floating plants, stem plants, and carpeting plants. Plants need to be well-established before adding any shrimp.
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Only keep a very limited number of shrimp in the tank depending on plant growth. Overstocking can cause ammonia spikes.
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Substrate should be soil-based to encourage plant growth. An inch of soil topped with an inch of gravel or sand works well.
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Lighting needs to be bright enough to foster plant growth. Natural daylight near a window can work well.
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Tank size should be 10+ gallons to help dilute waste. Small tanks make balancing more difficult.
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Water changes of 25% weekly help remove any excess waste and replenish minerals.
Filterless tanks can certainly work for experienced aquarists. But they require constant monitoring and adjustment to keep shrimp safe. For most beginners, a simple sponge filter is a safer option.
Different Filter Options for Shrimp Tanks
When choosing a filter for shrimp, look for types designed to minimize shrimp loss. Models with pre-filter sponges over the intake help prevent baby shrimp from being sucked into the filter. Here are some common shrimp-safe filter options:
Sponge Filters
Sponge filters are the most popular and reliable filtration method for shrimp tanks. A sponge filter consists of an air-driven uplift tube and a thick sponge. Air bubbles lift water through the sponge, trapping debris.
Benefits:
- Inexpensive and simple to set up
- Provide both mechanical and biological filtration
- Pre-filter sponges prevent shrimp loss
- No risk of leaks like HOB filters
- Zero danger to shrimp if they enter the filter
Downsides:
- Can take up tank space
- Lower flow rate than some filters
- Require an air pump
Overall, sponge filters give beginners an easy, shrimp-safe option perfect for nano tanks.
Hang-on-Back (HOB) Filters
HOB filters mount to the rear of the tank. A water pump moves water through media like filter floss and bio-balls, providing extensive filtration.
Benefits:
- Offer massive biological and mechanical filtration
- Addition of purigen or activated carbon polishes water
- Pre-filter sponges prevent shrimp loss
Downsides:
- Risk of leaks and flooding
- Can suck up baby shrimp into impeller
- High flow rate requires baffling
With some modifications like intake sponges, HOBs work well for larger shrimp tanks. But sponge filters tend to be safer.
Matten Filters
Matten filters consist of a vertical sponge dividing the tank with water flowing through the sponge.
Benefits:
- Huge sponge area for beneficial bacteria
- Low flow rate won’t sweep away shrimp or babies
- Provides additional grazing surface
Downsides:
- Take up tank space
- Require some DIY skills to construct
For adept aquarists wanting serious biological filtration, matten filters are a great choice.
Air Stones
While not technically a filter, some shrimp keepers use only an air stone for surface agitation and oxygenation. This is only recommended for mature, densely planted tanks with minimal bioload. Air stones provide almost no biological filtration.
Shrimp Filter Setup Tips
Here are some key recommendations for setting up filtration in a shrimp tank:
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Add a pre-filter sponge – Cover the filter intake with an open-cell sponge to prevent shrimp from entering the filter. Fluval Edge Pre-Filter Sponges are a popular choice.
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Use low flow – High flow rates will sweep shrimp and baby shrimp around the tank. Sponge filters and matten filters provide lower, gentler flow perfect for shrimp.
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Supplement with plants – Adding plants like java moss, anarchis, and java fern provides extra biological filtration to help keep water clean.
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Underfilter – Shrimp enjoy grazing on biofilm that grows on sponges. Purchase a larger sponge than needed and let it touch the substrate.
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Clean sponges in tank water – When cleaning filter media, use old tank water rather than tap water to avoid killing beneficial bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean the filter on a shrimp tank?
Aim to clean filter sponges every 2-3 months. Use old tank water rather than tap water during cleaning to preserve beneficial bacteria. Signs it’s time for a cleaning include reduced flow or cloudy water.
What gallon air pump do I need for a sponge filter in a 10 gallon tank?
A standard air pump around 2-4 gallons per hour is sufficient for a 10 gallon shrimp tank with a sponge filter. The key is to provide a gentle stream of bubbles, not strong bubbling flow.
Can I put a filter in my shrimp breeding tank?
Yes, filtration is recommended even in dedicated shrimp breeding tanks. Go for an extra gentle sponge filter or matten filter to minimize shrimp losses. Make sure to cover the intake with a pre-filter sponge.
How often should I change the water in a shrimp tank?
Aim for 10-15% water changes 1-2 times per month in an established, filtered shrimp tank. Test parameters like GH, KH, and TDS to help determine ideal water change frequency.
Can I use activated carbon in my shrimp tank filter?
While activated carbon polishes water, it also removes essential minerals shrimp need through adsorption. Most shrimp keepers avoid using activated carbon to maintain mineral levels.
The Consensus: Filters Are Vital in Shrimp Tanks
While advanced aquarists can craft filterless planted shrimp tanks, beginners will have far greater success and less frustration by using a simple filter like a sponge or matten option. Take steps like pre-filter sponges and low flow to make filtration shrimp-safe. Test water parameters regularly and perform partial water changes to keep shrimp healthy. Following these best practices will help ensure your shrimp thrive for years to come.
Frequency of Entities:
sponge filter: 5
hang on back: 2
matten filter: 2
airstone: 2
water change: 2
Do shrimp need filters?
Many people say that you should cycle your shrimp tank completely before adding any other animals because shrimp are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrite. There should be a good amount of good bacteria in the filter after running it for a while. This will keep the ammonia and nitrite levels safe.
However, with careful planning it’s possible to a filterless setup if you have a mature, heavily planted tank for example. This method is commonly referred to as the Walstad method, named after Diana Walstad who documented the idea.
The Walstad method is one way of achieving a healthy tank without needing to run any mechanical filtration. This can be done by putting a lot of plants in the aquarium. These plants will pull almost all of the ammonia out of the water.
Even though this method sounds easy, it takes a lot of plants to make it safe for shrimp. Floating plants are strong here because they can grow very quickly because they can get nutrients from the water and the carbon dioxide in the air.
Before adding life, you should make sure the tank is stable for at least a few months. This will give the plants time to get established. If you don’t, they might not be able to soak up the ammonia and other waste as quickly as your animals make it.
You should try to clean your filter sponges at least every few months. You will notice your water starting to become cloudy if the sponges need to be cleaned.
In a very short time, a surprising amount of trash and other things can pile up in the foam.
It’s important to clean and rinse your sponges in old water instead of tap water for example. Using old water will protect the good bacteria that live in it, but chlorine-filled tap water will kill many of these bacteria and could mess up your cycle.
A sponge filter is the most popular choice for shrimp tanks.
Behind a sponge or foam, they push air into a column. When the air floats up out of the column, water from outside wants to fill the space. The water goes through the foam and any large particles get caught on the outside.
All that’s required is the sponge filter itself and an air pump. There’s no risk of leaks like could be possible with a hang on back filter for example. Shrimp are also not in any real danger if they get inside because there are no moving parts like motors and only water and air inside.
What makes a filter shrimp safe?
A shrimp safe filter will pose minimal to no risk to baby shrimp and adults alike.
Generally you’ll want to look for filters which can support a fine filter foam over the inlet pipe. This will prevent any tiny shrimp being accidentally pulled into the pump and getting stuck or injured inside.