Hey there! I’m Jeff and today I’m gonna share everything you need to know about acclimating cherry shrimp to their new home. Trust me, I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to! Let’s dive right in.
Quick Summary
Acclimating cherry shrimp takes about 1-2 hours using the drip method. This slow process helps your shrimp adjust to new water conditions and prevents shock. While it might seem like a lot of work, proper acclimation is crucial for keeping your shrimpies alive and healthy!
Why You MUST Acclimate Cherry Shrimp
Listen up – this is super important! Cherry shrimp are pretty sensitive little creatures. They can get stressed or even die if you just dump them straight into your tank. Here’s why:
- Temperature shock from sudden changes
- pH shock (their bodies can’t handle quick pH shifts)
- Issues with different water hardness levels
- Stress from ammonia or nitrite exposure
- General freakout from the whole moving process
What You’ll Need
Before we start, grab these supplies:
- Clean container or bucket (big enough for 4x the bag water)
- Airline tubing
- Air stone + air pump
- Net (small one works best)
- Water conditioner
- Clips or clothespins (optional but helpful)
- Timer (your phone works fine)
Step-by-Step Acclimation Guide
1. Prep Your Tank First!
Get your tank ready at least 3-7 days before getting shrimp Here are the ideal parameters
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 65-75°F |
| pH | 6.2-8.0 |
| GH | 4-8 dGH |
| KH | 3-15 dKH |
| Ammonia/Nitrites | 0 ppm |
| Nitrates | <20 ppm |
2. The Arrival Day
When your shrimp arrive
- Dim those lights! Bright light = stressed shrimp
- Check the bag for any dead shrimp (remove them if found)
- Add water conditioner to the bag
- Check if it’s a breather bag or regular bag
3. Temperature Match (15-30 mins)
- For regular bags: Float in tank for 15-30 mins
- For breather bags: DON’T float! Let sit at room temp
- Check temps are matching before moving on
4. Start the Drip (1-2 hours)
Here’s my tried-and-true method:
- Pour shrimp into your container
- Set up airline tubing from tank to container
- Create a siphon (yes, you might taste tank water )
- Adjust to 2-3 drops per second
- Wait until container has 75% tank water
Pro tip: Add some moss or filter floss to give shrimpies something to hold onto!
5. The Big Move
Once acclimation’s done:
- Net those little guys carefully
- Place them gently in your tank
- DO NOT pour the old water in
- Keep lights off for 24 hours
- No feeding for first day
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen these mistakes way too often:
- Rushing the process (patience is key!)
- Skipping water parameter checks
- Using dirty equipment
- Adding store water to your tank
- Forgetting to remove dead shrimp
- Feeding too soon
Extra Tips for Success
Some bonus advice from my experience:
- Plan your purchase day – don’t rush!
- Use a small cooler for transport
- Ask for moss in the transport bag
- Quarantine new shrimp if possible
- Monitor them closely first few days
When Things Go Wrong
If your shrimp look stressed during acclimation (swimming erratically or laying on their side), slow down the drip rate. Sometimes adding Indian Almond leaves or Blackwater extract can help calm them down.
Final Thoughts
Y’all, I know this seems like a lot of work for some tiny shrimp, but trust me – doing it right makes ALL the difference. I’ve learned these lessons the hard way, and proper acclimation has seriously improved my success rate with cherry shrimp.
Remember, these little guys are gonna be with you for a while (hopefully!), so taking a couple hours to get them settled properly is totally worth it. Got any questions? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’m always happy to help fellow shrimp keepers!
Good luck with your new shrimpies!
Step Ensure your tank is ready
If you are putting your new shrimp into a freshly cycled tank, it is important to verify that it is actually cycled. This means ammonia and nitrites consistently at 0 ppm and nitrates below 20 ppm for at least a few days, which generally won’t happen for 3-8 weeks after initial setup. If cycling is not done properly, then ammonia levels may shoot up and kill your shrimp. No one wants that.
Plan your day
The acclimation process takes a few hours so it is important to be prepared. That means having all the equipment necessary for proper drip acclimation along with 3-4 hours to pick up and acclimate the shrimp without being rushed. This is not to say you can’t do anything else during that time, but it is recommended you check your acclimation setup every 30-60 mins to ensure water isn’t overflowing.
Depending on how you are buying your shrimp, the process may vary slightly:
Picking up shrimp in-stores: It is important to figure out how to make the trip from the store to your tank as stress-free as possible. The key is to avoid:
- Significant temperature change
- If buying them on a very cold or warm day, then the small amount of water in their bag may change temperature rapidly during your trip home. To avoid this, put the bag in a cooler, Styrofoam box, or other insulated package. Adding ice or a heating pad may seem like a good idea, but they could cause excessive temperature changes as well so it is best to avoid using them.
- Excessive movement
- Just as we do not enjoy earthquakes, your shrimp do not enjoy being sloshed around in the bag when coming home from the store. Don’t be Darla!
- To prevent excessive movement, bring a clean piece of cloth (something that doesn’t leach chemicals into the water) or moss with you to place in with the shrimp. This gives them something to hold onto and reduces their stress levels. Also, avoid having too much air in the bag. More air means more room for the water to move around. If the trip home is less than an hour, then an inch or so of space at the top is all that is required to ensure they have enough oxygen. Lastly, keep the bag somewhere that it won’t roll or shift during the journey home, whether that is in your lap (if you’re not driving) or in a container that won’t slide around.
Ordering online: This is the easiest option that requires little planning, as most online sellers already take the precautions mentioned above to avoid stressing your shrimp. All you need to do is be around for delivery so the package doesn’t sit outside and get too hot or cold, depending on where you live. This concern can be avoided if the seller uses insulated packaging for shipping, which most do.
Once your shrimp arrive safely, it is time to acclimate!
How to Acclimate Freshwater Shrimp [Beginner Shrimp Keeping]
FAQ
How long does it take to acclimate cherry shrimp?
How fast should you drip acclimate?
Start Acclimating
Now that the bag is in the drip chamber allow the drip to continue for at least 30 minutes. This will gradually introduce the water from your established tank to the bag, allowing your aquatic life to comfortably adjust to the changing environment.