1. Are Caridina Shrimp Right for You?
For Experienced Hobbyists: Sensitive to water parameters and require dedicated tank preparation.
Stunning Colours: Home to high-grade Crystal Reds, Bee Shrimp, and Galaxy Snowflake morphs.
Specific Demands: Require soft, acidic water with strictly controlled minerals—not suitable for standard UK tap water.
2. Choosing the Right Substrate
Active (Buffering) Soil Required: You must use an active substrate such as Shrimp King Active Soil by Dennerle (or Tropica Powder / ADA Amazonia).
Maintains Acidic pH: Active soil absorbs carbonates and buffers the pH down to 5.5–6.5, which Caridina need to survive and moult safely.
3. Ideal Water Parameters
pH: 5.5 – 6.5
Temperature: 18°C – 22°C (cooler temperatures are critical; avoid spikes above 24°C)
gH: 4 – 6
kH: 0 – 1 (strictly zero or near-zero kH to prevent pH spikes and soil exhaustion)
4. Cycling Your Tank & Why You Must Use RO Water
Always Use RO (Reverse Osmosis) Water: UK tap water contains carbonates (kH), nitrates, heavy metals, and fluctuating minerals that will quickly strip your active soil's buffering capacity, cause fatal moulting issues, or stress delicate Caridina.
Remineralising Options: Reconstitute pure RO water using a quality liquid or powder gH+ remineraliser (avoid gH/kH+ blends, as carbonates will ruin the acidic environment). We stock and recommend Qualdrop remineralisers (such as Qualdrop GH+ LC Shrimp or GH+ One) on our site, which provide essential calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals without raising kH.
Extended Cycle Time: Active soil leaches ammonia initially. Run the tank for 6–8 weeks until ammonia and nitrite read absolute 0 PPM.
Mature Biofilm: Ensure wood, moss, and botanicals are well-established with mature biofilm before adding livestock.
5. Drip Acclimatisation Step-by-Step
Transfer shrimp and shipping water into a clean, dedicated container.
Set up airline tubing with a drip valve or knot from your tank to the container.
Set a slow drip rate of 1 drop per second—Caridina are highly sensitive to osmotic shock.
Allow the water volume to triple over 2 to 3 hours.
Gently net the shrimp into the tank. Never dump shipping water into your aquarium.
6. Maintaining Long-Term Health
Consistency over Perfection: Keep parameters rock-steady. Avoid rapid temperature or chemistry shifts.
Precise Feeding: Feed high-quality Caridina-specific foods, Bacter AE for juvenile survival, and botanicals (Catappa leaves, Mulberry leaves) 2–3 times a week.
Minimal Water Changes: Perform small, gradual water changes (10% weekly or bi-weekly) using fresh RO water pre-mixed with your chosen gH+ remineraliser to match your tank's exact gH and temperature.
Cooling in Summer: Ensure fan cooling or a chiller is available during warm weather—Caridina suffer quickly in high temperatures.