How to Drip Acclimate Shrimp: A Step-by-Step Guide for Aquarists

Changes in their water conditions, like going from hard water to soft water, acidic to alkaline, hot to cold, etc., can hurt dwarf shrimp a lot.

Cherry shrimp are pretty tough, and they can usually get used to a lot of different types of water as long as they are introduced slowly.

You should try to find out what conditions the shrimp are living in now so that you can try to achieve the same results in your tank. This will also help you figure out how long the acclimation process will take.

Moving shrimp to new water too quickly or without giving them time to get used to it will put them under a lot of stress that could stop them from molting or even kill them before they’re ready.

Setting up a small tube to slowly drip new water from a tank that has been cycled into the old water is called drip acclimation. This process continues until most of the water is new.

It’s likely that the shrimp that were sent by courier have been almost completely dark for a day or longer. When you put them in a jug and suddenly expose them to bright aquarium lights, they may feel weak and stressed. This is especially true since they have nowhere to hide.

For now, turning off the lights in your aquarium and room can help them feel more at ease while they get used to their new home.

Look at all of your new shrimp to check everything looks healthy. If you see any white fuzz on their face, for example, they might be sick and need to be quarantined right away.

It sounds safe to open the bag with the shrimp inside, but if the bag is “non-breathable,” carbon dioxide (CO2) that is inside could escape and make the water poisonous. If they were sent to you “next day,” this isn’t a big deal, but it is a bigger problem if they’ve been kept in the same closed bag for days.

While the shrimp are traveling, they will leave waste in the water, like ammonia. However, the waste won’t be as dangerous because trapped CO2 will dissolve into the water and make it more acidic.

As soon as the CO2 can get out of the water, it will raise the pH, making the water more basic and the ammonia more dangerous.

If you add a drop of a detoxifier, such as Seachem Prime, to the ammonia, it will no longer cause any harm.

Introducing new dwarf shrimp into an established aquarium requires careful acclimation to prevent shock and deaths. Drip acclimation is the recommended process to safely transition shrimp from their current water parameters to those in their new home. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through how to successfully drip acclimate shrimp.

Why Proper Acclimation Matters

Shrimp are extremely sensitive to any fluctuations in their water chemistry. Sudden changes in pH, hardness, temperature, salinity, and more can cause them severe stress This makes proper acclimation vital when adding new shrimp to your tank

Rushing the acclimation risks shocking the shrimp, leading to consequences like failed molts, lethargy, loss of color, and potentially death. Taking the time to slowly drip acclimate allows shrimp to gradually adjust to new water parameters, enhancing their odds of thriving in their new environment.

Step 1: Prepare the Aquarium

Before introducing your new shrimp, get the aquarium ready by:

Dimming lights to reduce stress.
Performing water tests for ideal parameters.
Turning off filters/powerheads that may push around shrimp.
Ensuring decor provides plenty of hiding spots.

It’s also wise to quarantine new shrimp in a separate tank if you notice any signs of disease or lethargy. Only add healthy, active shrimp to the main tank.

Step 2: Set Up Drip Acclimation

You’ll need a few simple supplies:

Airline tubing
Container for new water (clean bucket or jug)
Container for current shrimp water
Optional: airline valve to control flow

Steps:

Collect new water in a container and place higher than the shrimp.
Connect tubing from new water to old water container.
Start a siphon and adjust to a slow drip (1-2 drops/second).
Let water drip until 75% is new water.

Step 3: Observe the Shrimp

Keep a close eye on shrimp during acclimation for signs of stress:

Darting Around

Water parameters likely unsafe
Slow drip more or do larger water change

Lethargic or Loss of Color

Shock from water change
Immediately stop drip and take action

Swimming Normally

Shrimp are acclimating well
Resume drip after observing

Step 4: Complete the Transfer

Once about 75% of the water is new, complete these final steps:

Stop the drip and discard old water.
Gently net shrimp into the aquarium.
Avoid pouring old water into tank.
Observe shrimp closely for the next few days.
Consider adding bacterial supplements to help stabilize tank.

FAQs About Drip Acclimating Shrimp

Get answers to some common questions about successfully drip acclimating shrimp:

How long does it take?

Anywhere from 1 to 4 hours typically, depending on water parameters. Dramatic differences often take longer.

What if my shrimp seem stressed?

Immediately stop the drip and figure out the issue if they show signs of stress like darting or lethargy.

Can I skip drip acclimation?

Not recommended! Drip acclimating is crucial for sensitive shrimp species. Skipping risks shocking and killing them.

Do I really need an airline valve?

No, you can just use a knot in the tubing to control the drip flow rate. Valves just make it easier.

What temperature should the water be?

Try to match the temperature they are currently in as close as possible throughout the drip process.

Master Shrimp Acclimation

Now that you know how to successfully drip acclimate shrimp, you can help ensure any new shrimp thrive in your aquarium. Just take it slow by gradually introducing small amounts of new water over 1-4 hours. Be diligent in watching for signs of stress and acclimate properly. Your shrimp will thank you for the patience it takes to master this crucial process.

how to drip acclimate shrimp