Water parameters
Measure water, choose tap or reverse-osmosis water and plan changes for the shrimp species.
Measuring TDS for shrimp: what does the reading mean?
Use a TDS meter to compare a known water routine. Most aquarium meters measure electrical conductivity and convert it to estimated ppm. Different conversion factors can produce different…
Remineralizing RO water: GH+, GH/KH+ and dosing
Choose the mineral product for your species, substrate and intended GH and KH. GH+ and GH/KH+ are product categories, not standardized recipes. A soft-water bee setup often needs GH without…
RO water for shrimp: when you need it and how to use it
You do not automatically need reverse osmosis (RO) water for shrimp. Suitable, treated tap water can work well for Neocaridina. RO becomes useful when source-water hardness, nitrate or…
Nitrate too high: find the source and assess water changes
Check an unexpected nitrate result using the test’s mixing and waiting instructions. Also test the water you intend to add. If it already contains substantial nitrate, a change may lower…
Tap water for Neocaridina: testing and preparation
Tap water can be a useful starting point when its composition suits the animals and unwanted substances have been addressed. Drinking water does not automatically mean suitable aquarium…
Copper in a shrimp tank: investigate the risk
Copper can harm aquatic animals, but its effects depend on factors including water chemistry and copper form. One general number therefore cannot prove safety in every shrimp aquarium.…
Lowering KH in a bee tank: coordinate water and substrate
In an intentionally soft, acidic bee or Taiwan bee system, replacement water needs to fit the chosen substrate. This is not a reason to lower KH for every Caridina: Amano and Sulawesi are…
Shrimp temperature: choose by species and setup
There is no ideal temperature for every aquarium shrimp. Choose a working range for the actual species and coordinate it with the animal supplier. A published tolerance extreme is not a…
Low GH and moulting problems: check before dosing
A failed moult does not establish calcium deficiency. GH describes part of the mineral composition but cannot explain why an individual shrimp died. Do not add extra minerals solely because…
GH too high for bee shrimp: causes and gradual correction
First establish that GH is excessive for your animals and existing water system. This advice mainly concerns soft-water bee and Taiwan bee shrimp, not every Caridina species. Repeat the…
GH and KH for shrimp: what is the difference?
GH describes hardness mainly from calcium and magnesium. An aquarium KH test measures acid-neutralizing capacity, usually mainly from bicarbonate and carbonate. The two numbers are not…
Cooling a shrimp aquarium in summer
Start with measured water temperature, the actual species and behaviour. If animals appear distressed or climb toward the surface, promptly improve surface movement and check the filter.…
Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in shrimp tanks: what to do
Aim for no detectable ammonia or nitrite with your aquarium tests. If either appears in a stocked tank, investigate and act promptly. Nitrate is the later product of the nitrogen cycle:…
Stable pH: KH, CO2 and measurement timing
KH helps neutralize acids, but does not determine pH alone. CO2, substrate and biological processes also matter. A difference between morning and evening does not necessarily establish a…
pH too low: when raising it does and does not fit
Do not raise pH automatically. Low pH can fit an intentionally designed bee setup, while an unexpected decline elsewhere needs investigation. Consider the trend and actual species, rather…
pH too high: investigate before lowering it
Higher pH becomes a concern when it does not fit your species, water system or recent trend. An acidic bee setup and an alkaline Sulawesi setup have different aims. Distress or a difficult…
Distress after a water change: is it pH shock?
Stillness, frantic swimming, colour change or climbing upward do not specifically diagnose pH shock. After a water change they may relate to temperature, water chemistry, contamination or…
Measuring pH: liquid test or digital meter?
A liquid test is useful when its range and colour steps fit your question. A digital meter is easier to read, but extra decimals mean little unless the electrode and calibration are sound.…