Cycling Your Shrimp Tank Is Not Enough

Summary

This video script educates shrimp enthusiasts on the importance of establishing a mature ecosystem for a healthy shrimp tank, beyond just cycling. It emphasizes the significance of green algae, microorganisms, and healthy plants in creating a balanced, low-maintenance environment. The script advises patience over the six to eight weeks it typically takes for these elements to develop, ensuring a thriving habitat for shrimp and reducing the need for frequent water changes and feeding.

Takeaways

• 🚫 A cycled tank is not automatically ready for shrimp; it's necessary but not sufficient for a healthy shrimp ecosystem.
• ⏱ Patience is key: Allow 6-8 weeks for a mature ecosystem to develop, which reduces maintenance and benefits shrimp health.
• 🌿 Look for signs of a mature ecosystem: Green algae growth, microorganisms, and healthy plants are indicators of a stable environment.
• 🍃 Green algae, like green dust and spot algae, are beneficial as they form the base of the food pyramid and support the nitrogen cycle.
• 🔬 Biofilm, produced by algae and other microorganisms, feeds shrimp and contributes to a diverse and healthy diet.
• 🔍 Studies show that a diverse biofilm can support shrimp survival and reproduction without additional feeding.
• 🐛 Microorganisms like copepods and daphnia break down waste, preventing debris buildup and reducing the risk of ammonia spikes.
• 🌱 Healthy plants improve water quality, provide oxygen, and offer more surface area for biofilm, which is crucial for shrimp health.
• 📚 Research is essential for choosing the right plants that match your tank's conditions for optimal growth and ecosystem health.
• 🌟 A balanced ecosystem with green algae, microorganisms, and plants leads to lower maintenance and a higher success rate in shrimp keeping.

Q & A

What is the common mistake shrimp keepers make regarding a cycled tank?

The common mistake is thinking that a cycled tank is automatically ready for shrimp, which is not the case. A cycled tank only indicates that the tank can process ammonia into nitrates, but it does not guarantee a mature or stable ecosystem necessary for shrimp.

Why is a mature ecosystem important for a shrimp tank?

A mature ecosystem is important because it leads to a lower maintenance, healthier environment for shrimp. It helps in stabilizing water parameters, reducing the risk of cycle crashes, and minimizing the need for water changes and feeding, thus making the keeping process easier.

What are the three signs of a mature and stable ecosystem in a shrimp tank?

The three signs are the presence of green algae, visible microorganisms, and healthy growing plants. These indicate a balanced food chain, active biological filtration, and a source of nutrients and oxygenation for the shrimp.

How does green algae contribute to a shrimp tank's ecosystem?

Green algae, such as green dust and spot algae, form the base of the food pyramid by creating proteins, sugars, and other organic compounds through photosynthesis. These compounds feed other bacteria and contribute to a nutritious biofilm that benefits shrimp.

What role do microorganisms play in a shrimp tank?

Microorganisms, like copepods and daphnia, break down waste into smaller components for bacteria to process, preventing debris buildup and reducing the risk of ammonia spikes. They also serve as a food source for shrimp, contributing to a diverse diet.

How can you introduce microorganisms to a new shrimp tank?

You can introduce microorganisms by using a filter from a well-established tank or by adding live plants, which can harbor microorganisms even after proper treatment and quarantine.

Why are healthy plants crucial for a shrimp tank ecosystem?

Healthy plants oxygenate the water, purify it by removing heavy metals, improve substrate health, and provide more surface area for biofilm growth. They are essential for maintaining water quality and offering a diverse diet for shrimp.

What should you do if you don't see microorganism growth in your tank after a few weeks?

If you don't see microorganism growth, it might indicate an issue with the ecosystem. You should give it more time, consider adding plants from a healthy, established tank, or obtain water with microorganisms from a reputable source.

How long does it typically take for a shrimp tank to establish a mature ecosystem?

It typically takes about six to eight weeks for a shrimp tank to establish a mature ecosystem, showing signs of green algae growth, microorganisms, and healthy plants.

What can excessive algae growth indicate about a shrimp tank's ecosystem?

Excessive algae growth can indicate an imbalance in light or nutrients. A light dusting of algae on glass and substrate is beneficial, but too much can block light from plants and cause issues.

Outlines

00:00

🦐 Understanding Shrimp Tank Maturity

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between a cycled and a mature shrimp tank. A cycled tank can process ammonia into nitrates, indicating the presence of nitrifying bacteria, but a mature ecosystem is essential for a stable and low-maintenance environment. The narrator suggests waiting six to eight weeks for the ecosystem to mature, which leads to less concern about parameter fluctuations, cycle crashes, and overfeeding. The paragraph introduces three signs of a mature tank: algae growth, microorganism presence, and healthy plants. Algae, particularly green varieties, contribute to the food chain and biofilm, providing nutrients for shrimp and other tank inhabitants.

05:02

🌿 The Role of Algae and Microorganisms

The second paragraph delves into the roles of algae and microorganisms in a shrimp tank. Algae, such as green dust and spot algae, form the base of the food pyramid and contribute to biofilm, which feeds shrimp and supports a diverse diet. Microorganisms like copepods and daphnia break down waste, preventing debris buildup and reducing the risk of ammonia spikes. They also serve as a food source for shrimp, enhancing their diet's diversity. The paragraph suggests that a variety of microorganisms should be visible within six to eight weeks, indicating a healthy ecosystem. It also discusses methods for introducing microorganisms to a new tank, such as using a filter from an established tank or adding live plants.

10:05

🌱 The Importance of Healthy Plants

The final paragraph highlights the significance of healthy plants in a shrimp tank. Plants improve water quality by oxygenating and purifying it, removing heavy metals, and enhancing substrate health. They also provide a surface for biofilm growth, which benefits shrimp. The paragraph stresses the importance of researching plant requirements to ensure they thrive and contribute positively to the ecosystem. It recommends certain plants, like mosses and floating plants, for their beneficial effects on water quality and shrimp diet. The paragraph concludes by summarizing the three key indicators of a mature tank: visible green algae, microorganisms, and healthy plants, which together contribute to a balanced and low-maintenance shrimp-keeping environment.

Keywords

💡Shrimp Keepers

Shrimp Keepers refers to individuals who maintain and care for shrimp tanks, often as a hobby. In the context of the video, the term is used to address the audience who are interested in shrimp keeping and looking to improve their practices. The video aims to educate these enthusiasts on how to create a healthier and more stable environment for their shrimp.

💡Cycled Tank

A cycled tank is an aquarium that has gone through the nitrogen cycle, establishing a colony of beneficial bacteria capable of converting ammonia and nitrite into less toxic nitrates. The script explains that while a cycled tank is necessary for a healthy shrimp environment, it is not sufficient on its own, as it only indicates the presence of certain nitrifying bacteria and not the overall maturity of the ecosystem.

💡Mature Ecosystem

A mature ecosystem in the context of the video refers to an aquarium environment that has not only cycled but also developed a diverse and balanced community of organisms. This includes various types of bacteria, algae, and microorganisms that contribute to a stable environment with minimal need for maintenance, such as water changes or feeding. The video emphasizes the importance of patience in allowing the ecosystem to mature over six to eight weeks.

💡Algae

Algae are photosynthetic organisms that can be both beneficial and detrimental in an aquarium. The script distinguishes between 'good' algae, like green dust algae, which contribute to the food chain and help maintain water quality, and 'bad' algae, which can indicate imbalances. Algae are part of the indicators for a mature and stable ecosystem, with the video suggesting that a light dusting of green algae on glass and substrate is a positive sign.

💡Biofilm

Biofilm is a slimy layer of microorganisms that attach to surfaces in an aquarium. In the video, biofilm is highlighted as crucial for a healthy shrimp tank because it houses diverse bacteria and microorganisms that contribute to the food web and help with biological filtration. The script mentions that a healthy biofilm can support shrimp for extended periods without additional feeding.

💡Microorganisms

Microorganisms in the script refer to small creatures visible to the naked eye, such as copepods and daphnia, which play a vital role in breaking down waste and preventing debris buildup. They are part of the mature ecosystem and contribute to the food chain, as well as help in maintaining water quality by processing leftover food and preventing ammonia spikes.

💡Water Quality

Water quality is a central theme in the video, referring to the balance of chemical parameters in the aquarium that affect the health of shrimp. A mature ecosystem with diverse microorganisms and algae helps maintain stable water quality by processing waste and preventing harmful parameter fluctuations, such as ammonia spikes.

💡Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a natural process described in the video where nitrogenous waste is converted into less harmful forms. It involves the conversion of ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate by bacteria. A well-established nitrogen cycle is essential for a healthy shrimp tank, as it prevents toxic levels of ammonia and nitrite from accumulating.

💡Plants

Plants in the video are discussed as essential components of a mature ecosystem. They contribute to water purification, oxygenation, and provide surface area for biofilm growth. Healthy plants indicate a stable and mature environment, and the video recommends specific types of plants, like mosses and floating plants, for their benefits to shrimp tanks.

💡Maintenance

Maintenance in the context of the video refers to the ongoing care required for an aquarium, such as water changes, feeding, and monitoring parameters. The video suggests that with a mature ecosystem, the need for maintenance is reduced, leading to a lower-stress environment for both the shrimp and the keeper.

💡Nitrifying Bacteria

Nitrifying bacteria are a specific type of bacteria critical for the nitrogen cycle, as mentioned in the video. They are responsible for converting ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate. While the presence of these bacteria indicates a cycled tank, the video emphasizes that a diverse ecosystem with various other microorganisms is necessary for a truly mature and stable environment.

Highlights

A cycled tank is necessary but not sufficient for a healthy shrimp tank.

A mature ecosystem is established in six to eight weeks, reducing maintenance and issues like parameter fluctuations and water changes.

Algae, particularly green varieties, are beneficial as they form the base of the food pyramid and support a nutritious biofilm.

Biofilm feeds shrimp and supports a diverse diet, leading to healthier shrimp with less need for additional feeding.

A study showed that a healthy biofilm can support shrimp like neocaradena for months without additional care.

Green algae growth on glass and substrate is a sign of a developing and positive ecosystem.

Microorganisms such as copepods and daphnia are crucial for breaking down waste and preventing debris buildup.

Microorganisms help prevent overfeeding by consuming leftover food, thus avoiding ammonia spikes.

Plants are essential for a healthy ecosystem as they oxygenate water, purify it, and provide surface area for biofilm.

Healthy plants with new growth are a sign of a thriving ecosystem and contribute to improved water quality.

Researching plant requirements before purchase is key to ensuring their health and the ecosystem's success.

Mosses and floating plants are recommended for their beneficial effects on water quality and shrimp diet.

A balance of plants that take up nitrates and ammonia helps prevent spikes and buildup, reducing the need for water changes.

Patience during the six to eight-week establishment period is rewarded with a low-maintenance and healthy shrimp ecosystem.

Visible green algae, microorganisms, and healthy plants are the three signs of a mature and stable shrimp tank ecosystem.

Transcripts

well hello shrimp Keepers what

what's up do you want to have happier

and healthier shrimp do you want to have

a lower maintenance ecosystem do you

want to learn about some of the great

diversity that we find in our tanks if

so then continue watching this video in

it we're going to talk about an

extremely common mistake that shrimp

Keepers make which is thinking that a

cycled tank is ready for shrimp

automatically and that is not the case

this is shrimply explained it is all in

the name

I mean we explained things about shrimp

pretty simple

a cycled tank simply means that the tank

can process about 2 PPM of ammonia into

nitrates within about 24 hour period

this does tell you that a certain subset

of nitrifying bacteria are well

established in the aquarium but it does

not tell you anything about the rest of

the ecosystem don't get me wrong a

cycled tank is an important step towards

a healthy shrimp tank it is necessary

but not sufficient instead what we want

to focus on is a mature or

well-established ecosystem once a mature

ecosystem is established then you don't

have to worry so much about parameter

fluctuations cycle crashes water changes

over feeding parasites everything just

becomes so much easier so it's worth it

for both you and your shrimp to take

this six to eight weeks be patient and I

promise it'll pay off

now let's go over the three signs that

we look for in our tanks to know that

they are not only cycled but also mature

and stable ecosystems for our shrimp

first let's start off at the smallest

level and that is algae if you've had a

tank before you've probably seen some

algae it's a very common problem for a

lot of people and in some cases it

absolutely is a problem for example

Blackbeard algae hair algae these can be

signs of an imbalance in light or in

nutrients in your tank that being said

there are also some good algaes so green

dust algae green spot algae these are

actively benefiting your tank because

they form the base of the food pyramid

while they are photosynthesizing they're

also creating proteins sugars and other

organic compounds that are being

released into the biofilm that they

produce all of these nutrients go to

feed other bacteria like the nitrifying

bacteria that we need for the nitrogen

cycle but also so many other different

species that all contribute to a more

nutritious biofilm in your tank this

biofilm feeds your shrimp and so the

more diversity you have in it the more

diverse and healthy diet your shrimp are

going to have and the less you have to

feed them in addition algae and other

bacteria fungi that are in the biofilm

are absorbing nutrients from the water

they're actively doing biological

filtration on every single surface in

your tank in fact healthy biofilm has

been shown to support shrimp like

neocaradena for months at a time in one

study by Veronica and teen in 2016. they

tested three different materials that

they grew biofilm on and then put those

into tanks with neocaridina after that

they left the tanks alone no water

changes no food just top-offs of the

aquarium over those two months two out

of the three groups had 100 survival

rate and successfully went through their

life cycle having babies the third only

had about an 85 percent survival rate

but they were growing biofilm on plastic

bottles that had very little surface

area and therefore did not support the

shrimp nearly as well when the

researchers did DNA tests on this

biofilm to discover what species were in

it they found cyanobacteria in various

chlorophyta species both of which are

types of green algae While most

hobbyists don't have access to DNA tests

what we can do is look for signs of

visible algae growth on our glass walls

and substrate this is a sign that the

food web is developing and is very

positive for our ecosystem in typical

tanks there should be some good green

algae growth on the glass after about

six to eight weeks if you haven't seen

some develop by about the four week Mark

then we do suggest either increase in

the light intensity or the duration in

order to actually see that develop and

again we're not talking about tons of

algae we're talking about a light

dusting on the glass and substrate

because if there's too much then it can

block out light from plants and kill

them so we do not want that we just want

to get a little bit so that they can

help support the biofilm in the tank

that's all we care about so let it

establish for a little bit let it feed

all the floor and fauna in your tank and

then if you really don't like it at that

point you can scrape it off the glass

take it away and then work on balancing

the nutrients and the lighting in your

tank from there on

moving on to the next largest thing

which is microorganisms many new

aquarists find these little tiny white

bugs that are moving around in their

tank they're concerned or they don't

like seeing that and I think that that

comes from a kind of misunderstanding of

what these are by doing a little bit of

research and learning what these guys

actually do you'll find it's easier to

accept and appreciate just how much they

do bring to an ecosystem microorganisms

are small multicellular creatures that

live in your tank many of which are

visible to the naked eye some examples

include copepods daphnia and detritus

worms but there are many many more

species that can be in your tank what

all of these do is break down waste into

smaller components that the bacteria are

then better able to process this means

they prevent debris buildup and reduce

the chance of ammonia spikes it also

means they prevent over feeding or at

least significantly reduce the risk of

overfeeding because you have these

microorganisms that can multiply to eat

any left food and again prevent ammonia

spikes from happening because of it if

you didn't have that then the food would

rot and really impact your water quality

in a bad way in addition shrimp also eat

copepods daphnia and other

microorganisms thereby contributing to a

more diverse diet

you should see a variety of

microorganisms built up in your tank in

a matter of about six to eight weeks

again given even more time and these

populations have more of a chance to

establish themselves and also compete

with each other for resources so the

more you have the more diversity you

have in your tank the less likely anyone

is to out-compete the others and then

take over the entire tank

how do we get microorganisms into our

tanks there are two ways first is by

preceding a filter

so that means putting a brand new filter

either I mean canister Pub your Sponge

Filter into a well-established aquarium

that's healthy and then you run that for

a few weeks during that time it develops

algae bacteria microorganisms on it that

you then transfer to the new tank the

other way is by adding live plants and

now even if you treat them properly you

quarantine them some microorganisms are

almost certainly going to get in to your

tank that's frankly a good thing because

microorganisms again as we mentioned

provide a lot of benefits to the

ecosystem

so don't worry too much about it the

problem is if you don't see

microorganism growth after a few weeks

of your tank being set up then that

might be a sign that there's something

wrong with the ecosystem for the most

part we recommend just giving it a

little bit more time and if can trying

to pull either a few plants from a

well-established tank whether that's

yours friends see if you can get a cup

of water from the local fish store with

some of the copepods daphnia in it and

then add that to the tank just have to

be careful that is from a reputable

person with healthy tanks

one of the keys to a great ecosystem is

healthy growing plants plants do a lot

of great things for your ecosystem they

help oxygenate the water they help

purify the water and remove heavy metals

they also help to improve substrate

Health if they have roots and lastly

they provide much more surface area for

biofilm to grow on and feed your shrimp

we cannot emphasize enough the benefits

that these plants provide to the

ecosystem but that's only possible if

the plants are healthy if a plant is

healthy that means it has bright green

growth no holes in his leaves or

anything like that if it's not healthy

then they can actually cause problems

because they can decompose cause ammonia

spikes in your tank and that can lead to

other issues the best way to get healthy

plant growth is to thoroughly research

what plants you want to put in your tank

before you actually go out and buy them

plants require different nutrient levels

different methods of delivery for the

nutrients for example some prefer

through the roots some prefer through

the water column others do well in low

light conditions whereas some need

highlight conditions do your research

and you are much more likely to improve

your chance to assess with the plants

and with your ecosystem as a whole some

plants that we recommend are basically

any variety of moss because all of their

little tendrils provide a ton of surface

area for beneficial bacteria to grow on

for microorganisms to grow on which

again all contribute to improved water

quality and improve the diet for your

shrimp we also recommend floating plants

or plants that have access to the air

plants that have access to the air more

readily take up nitrates whereas plants

that are submerged more readily take up

ammonia

having a balance of the two means that

you're less likely to have ammonia

spikes nitrate buildup and less likely

to need to do water changes

to summarize if our goal is to have a

low maintenance balanced healthy

ecosystem to successfully keep

neocaradena and caradena we recommend

looking for three things while your tank

is establishing over at least a six to

eight week period after being set up

these three things are first visible

green algae growth specifically green

algae because there are many species

that are very beneficial and they form

the base of the food chain to support

microorganisms and larger fauna like

shrimp and snails the next thing we want

to see are visible microorganisms that

means little tiny specks of copepods

going around on your substrate on the

glass these are a good sign that your

tank is healthy and developing a good

food chain that will support your shrimp

they also help to break down debris and

prevent over feeding that would

otherwise cause ammonia spikes and

affect water quality and lastly healthy

plants with new growth they oxygenate

the water they filter it and they

provide surface area for shrimp to feed

on so again very beneficial all of this

in general happens within about six to

eight weeks that's when we start seeing

shrimp keepers have a much higher rate

of success so we highly recommend having

a little bit of patience here because

that patient goes a long way towards

just simplifying your journey as a

shroom keeper and making it so much

easier if you've learned something from

this video and want to support our goal

of shrimplifying shrimp keeping then

please consider liking subscribing and

sharing it with a friend if you think

they'd be interested

in addition other resources are linked

down below so please feel free to check

those out thank you so much for watching

and have a great day