The Ultimate Guide to Cycling a New Aquarium for Fish, Neocaridina, and Caridina Shrimp


Cycling a new aquarium is an essential process that sets the foundation for a thriving aquatic environment. Whether you're setting up a tank for fish, Neo-caridina Shrimp, Caridina shrimp, or other aquatic pets, understanding and implementing the right cycling methods is crucial for the health and longevity of your aquatic pets. Let's explore below what the best practices are and some recommended products to successfully jump-start the cycling of your aquarium.

What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

The nitrogen cycle is the natural process by which beneficial bacteria break down harmful ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate. This process is vital because ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and shrimp, whereas nitrate is much less harmful and can be removed through regular water changes.

Why Cycling is So Important!

Before introducing any livestock to your new aquarium, it’s crucial to ensure that the nitrogen cycle is fully established. A properly cycled tank provides a stable environment where fish and shrimp can thrive, reducing the risk of disease and stress.

If you have an aquarium that's already been set up and cycled, you can "cheat" the new tank's cycle by jumpstarting the cycle on the new tank by using your old tank's filter media in the tank you're setting up. A common trick that hobbyists use to  "seed" a new tank is by introducing the bacteria from an existing tank from squeezing the old filter's contents or just using the old filter on the new system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cycling Your Aquarium

1. Setting Up Your Aquarium

  • Choose the Right Substrate: For shrimp, especially Caridina species, use a pH-buffering substrate, such as "aquasoil" is what helps maintain stable water parameters. Popular choices include ADA Amazonia and Brightwell Aquatics Rio Escuro. Other brands that are popular include Fluval Aquasoil, ISTA 5.5 pH Aquasoil, and Ultum Nature System's UNS Controsoil line.

    • Please Note! Not all substrates are created equally. Some substrates, such as ADA aquasoil, which was considered the gold-standard for many years, requires up to 8 weeks of "cycling" before introducing live shrimp. Understanding the parameters for your substrate and the "buffering" of your water parameters is important for successful shrimp keeping. If you are on a time-crunch, we recommend using aquasoil substrates that do not leech ammonia, currently only Brightwell Rio Escuro or UNS Controsoil offer this!
    • For Caridina shrimp in particular, selecting the right aquasoil and color substrate is important, otherwise successfully keeping and breeding them will be more challenging. Darker substrates typically allow for more vibrant colors. Fish typically aren't as sensitive to water parameters as ornamental shrimp, therefore inert substrates (such as pool filter sand) are usually acceptable for new fish tanks, but not recommended for Caridina shrimp tanks.

  • Installing Equipment & Scaping: Set up your tank, filter, heater (if necessary), lighting, aquasoil, hardscape, and plants (plants can always be added later to avoid algae growth). A sponge filter is ideal for shrimp tanks as it provides gentle filtration and a surface for beneficial bacteria to colonize the tank. Depending on the size of your tank, we typically recommend 10-20 gallon capacity for beginning shrimp-keeping or breeding nano fish.

2. Add Dechlorinated Water, or use RO Water

  • Use a Tap Water Conditioner Product or Cutting with RO Water: When filling your tank, always use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines, unless you're using RO water. Seachem Prime is a trusted choice that not only detoxifies harmful chemicals but also provides essential ions for beneficial bacteria. Seachem Safe is the powder version which is better for larger volume tanks. Consider your fish room size and how much product you will use and purchase the cheapest value for your tanks.

3. Introduce an Ammonia Source 

  • Fishless Cycling: Adding pure ammonia or fish food to the tank will kickstart the nitrogen cycle. Aim for an ammonia concentration of 2-4 ppm. This typically lasts for a few weeks before the cycle is established.
  • Shrimp-Friendly Cycling: For shrimp tanks, using a milder ammonia source like a shrimp-safe pellet food or a pinch of fish flakes over a few weeks will also help cycle the tank.
  • These methods above, while tried and true, are considered somewhat dated and can be slow. The hobby has many products now which can speed up the cycling process exponentially.

4. Test Your Water Parameters Regularly (Weekly)

  • Monitor Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate Levels: Use an aquarium test kit, such as the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, to regularly check ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. The cycle is complete when ammonia and nitrite levels drop to zero and nitrate begins to accumulate over time. This means your bacteria colony is large enough to handle accumulated waste and detritus from old food, fish poo, etc.

5. Quickly Boost Beneficial Bacteria Colony Using Products 

  • Bacteria Supplements: To speed up the cycling process, add your favorite bacteria supplement like Seachem Stability, Fritz Zyme 7, 9, or TurboStart, Microbe-Lift's Special Blend, or Tetra SafeStart, to name a few. These products contain live bacteria that help establish the nitrogen cycle more quickly and efficiently. You can never over-add too much bacteria into your tanks so there is no concern with overdosing or killing your livestock.

6. Perform Partial Water Changes

  • Control Nitrate Levels: Once nitrate levels begin to rise, perform a 25% water change daily and weekly to keep them in check. This also helps to maintain water quality and prepare the tank for incoming livestock.

Best Practices for Fish, Neocaridina, and Caridina Shrimp

Fish

  • Stock Gradually: Start by introducing a few hardy fish species like neon tetras, white cloud minnows, bristlenose plecos, or guppies. This prevents a sudden spike in ammonia, allowing the beneficial bacteria to adjust.
  • Monitor Behavior: Watch for signs of stress, such as rapid breathing or clamped fins, which may indicate poor water quality.

Neocaridina Shrimp

  • Stable pH and Temperature: Neo-caridina shrimp, like the popular Cherry Shrimp, thrive in a pH range of 6.5-7.5 and a temperature between 72-78°F. Avoid drastic changes during the cycling process. 
  • Provide Hiding Spots: Offer plenty of plants and hiding spots to reduce stress and provide a safe environment for molting.

Caridina Shrimp

  • Low pH Environment: Caridina species, such as Crystal Red Shrimp, prefer softer water with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Use an active substrate that buffers and lowers the pH and softens the water over time.
  • Monitor TDS Levels: Caridina shrimp are sensitive to Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Keep TDS levels between 100-150 ppm for optimal health.

Recommended Products for Cycling a New Aquarium

  1. Seachem Prime: A highly effective water conditioner that detoxifies ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
  2. API Freshwater Master Test Kit: A comprehensive test kit for monitoring ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels.
  3. Seachem Stability: A bacteria supplement that speeds up the cycling process by introducing live beneficial bacteria.
  4. Tetra SafeStart: Another reliable bacteria supplement that helps establish the nitrogen cycle.
  5. ADA Amazonia, UNS Controsoil, or Brightwell Active Soil: Ideal for Caridina shrimp tanks, these substrates lowers pH and provides essential nutrients for shrimpkeeping and live aquatic plants.
  6. Sponge Filter: Provides gentle filtration and a surface for beneficial bacteria, perfect for shrimp tanks.

Conclusion

Cycling a new aquarium is the key to creating a healthy and stable environment for your fish, Neocaridina, and Caridina shrimp. Following these best practices and using the recommended products above, you can ensure a more successful nitrogen cycle process, improving your chances for setting up a thriving aquatic ecosystem. Patience and careful monitoring are essential in the early stages of cycling a tank, but the rewards of a well-cycled tank are well worth the effort! 

For more expert advice and top-quality products, check out forums such as Aquarium Co-Op for more tips and recommendations or visit OC Shrimp Aquatic’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ocshrimpaquatic or DM us on IG  @ocshrimpaquatic!  Happy fish-keeping and shrimp-keeping fellow hobbyists!


Keywords: Cycling a new aquarium, fish tank cycling, Neocaridina shrimp, Caridina shrimp, nitrogen cycle, aquarium cycling products, Seachem Prime, ADA Amazonia, beneficial bacteria.

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