Aquapedia — Shrimp Care & Research
Aquapedia / Shrimp Research
Shrimp Care, Water & Breeder Methods
Evidence-aware husbandry for Neocaridina, Caridina and Sulawesi shrimp, with breeder practices separated from independently established aquarium principles.
Numbers used by successful breeders are useful starting points, not universal laws. Source shrimp, substrate, remineralizer, temperature, feeding, oxygenation and measurement method can shift the workable range. Stability and gradual adjustment matter more than chasing a single number.
Water chemistry
TDS, pH, GH and KH
Total dissolved solids is a broad ppm reading of dissolved material. It can include useful minerals such as calcium and magnesium, but also salts, nitrate and other dissolved compounds. TDS is therefore a fast consistency tool, not a complete mineral analysis.
pH measures acidity or alkalinity on a logarithmic scale. It affects shrimp physiology, ammonia toxicity and biological filtration. Avoid rapid pH changes even when the final number appears acceptable.
General hardness primarily reflects dissolved calcium and magnesium. These minerals are important for osmotic balance and formation of a new exoskeleton during molting.
Carbonate hardness reflects carbonate/bicarbonate buffering. More KH generally resists pH change; very low KH allows active substrates or acids to hold lower pH more easily.
| Group | Breeder TDS reference | Breeder GH reference | How Aquapedia treats it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caridina | 80–120 ppm | 3–4 dGH | Breeder working range, not universal |
| Neocaridina | 180–250 ppm | 4–8 dGH | Broad breeder reference |
| Sulawesi | about 200 ppm | 6–8 dGH | Species/source-specific refinement needed |
Source context: Jack Shrimp Farm breeder article on TDS, pH, GH and KH. Aquapedia preserves these as breeder reference values rather than declaring them universal targets.
Neocaridina
Generally more tolerant of neutral-to-moderately-hard freshwater than many specialist Caridina. Consistency, mature biofilm, adequate minerals and low ammonia/nitrite are more useful than forcing water to a retailer label.
Caridina
Bee/Taiwan Bee-type breeder systems commonly use remineralized RO water with active substrate and very low KH. One Jack Shrimp listing for an Extreme Blue Bolt line specifies pH 5.5–6.5, GH 4–6, KH 0–1, TDS 100–150 ppm and 22–25°C; that is a line-specific breeder recommendation, not a rule for every Caridina.
Sulawesi
Sulawesi shrimp require more species-specific planning. Warm, oxygenated, stable systems with appropriate mineral chemistry and mature grazing surfaces are important. Avoid treating all Sulawesi species as identical.
Breeder-product notes
White, Yellow & Gray Powder
These products are documented here because Aquaphoria carries KC Aquatics partner drafts for them. The descriptions below distinguish manufacturer/breeder positioning from independently established aquarium science.
White Powder
Positioned by Jack Shrimp as a bacteria/microbial-support powder used in Sulawesi tank setup and maintenance. Aquapedia treats its dosing and performance claims as breeder/manufacturer guidance.
Yellow Powder
The manufacturer describes Yellow Powder as a blend that includes microbial components, vitamins, protein and food ingredients. Claims involving color, immunity, molting or growth remain manufacturer claims unless independently supported.
Gray Powder
Listed by Jack Shrimp as a Caridina bacteria-support product. Exact composition and controlled performance data were not verified in the source material reviewed, so Aquapedia avoids stronger claims.
Store status: Aquaphoria’s KC Aquatics versions remain Draft products until final USD pricing and sellable variants are confirmed.
Airlift filtration for shrimp tanks
Airlifts use rising bubbles to move water through or around biological filter media. The practical advantages for shrimp systems are simple mechanics, strong gas exchange and no exposed impeller. Actual flow depends on tube diameter, lift height, air delivery and filter geometry.
Jack Shrimp’s 3D-airlift article recommends approximately 16 mm or original 12 mm tubing depending on version, tank depth from 25 cm, and an air pump around 3 L/min or more for its designs. Its claim of 2–3× higher flow is a manufacturer/breeder claim, not an independent Aquapedia benchmark.
Advanced cycling method
Cycle Tea
Cycle Tea products used by some shrimp breeders are typically botanical/camellia-derived materials containing organics and saponins. Sellers describe them as tools for encouraging microbial growth and biofilm during new-tank cycling.
Important safety distinction: Aquapedia has not verified a KC Aquatics or Jack Shrimp Cycle Tea product, so this section is informational only. Saponin-rich products can foam heavily, lower available oxygen and harm aquatic livestock when overdosed or misused. Do not treat Cycle Tea as proof that a tank is cycled: verify ammonia and nitrite are safe before livestock is introduced, and follow the exact instructions for the specific product being used.
Research provenance
Sources used for this pass
- Jack Shrimp Farm — Blog index
- Jack Shrimp Farm — TDS, pH, GH, KH in shrimp aquariums
- Jack Shrimp Farm — White Powder & Yellow Powder Sulawesi setup article
- Jack Shrimp Farm — Airlift 3D breeder/manufacturer article
- Jack Shrimp Farm — example breeder water parameters for one Caridina line
- Shrimp Cartel — Cycle Tea description and use context
- Simply Aquatic — Cycle Tea safety guidance
Aquapedia uses breeder and retailer sources to document real-world methods and product claims, but these sources are not automatically treated as controlled scientific evidence. Claims are upgraded only when stronger evidence is available.
Keep researching, then keep the husbandry stable
Aquapedia will continue separating species biology, breeder practice, product instructions and hobby reports so each can be useful without being mistaken for the same level of evidence.