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Shrimp Water Parameters Cheat Sheet
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Ideal Parameters by Shrimp Type
| Parameter | Neocaridina Cherry, Blue Velvet, Yellow | Caridina Crystal Red, Crystal Black |
|---|---|---|
| TemperatureStable matters more than exact | 65-75°F (18-24°C) | 62-72°F (17-22°C) |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 | 5.8-6.8 |
| GH (general hardness)Minerals for molting | 6-8 dGH | 4-6 dGH |
| KH (carbonate hardness)pH buffer | 2-4 dKH | 0-1 dKH |
| TDS | 150-250 ppm | 100-150 ppm |
Toxins: Keep These at Zero
| Substance | Target | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonia (NH3) | 0 ppm | Any amount is toxic |
| Nitrite (NO2) | 0 ppm | Any amount is toxic |
| Nitrate (NO3) | Under 20 ppm | 40+ ppm: do a water change |
| Copper | 0 ppm | Lethal even in trace amounts |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0 ppm | Always dechlorinate tap water |
6 Rules to Keep Shrimp Alive
- 1Stability beats perfection. A steady "wrong" number is safer than a swinging "right" one.
- 2Never add shrimp to an uncycled tank. Wait for 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite.
- 3Do small, frequent water changes (10-15% weekly), not big occasional ones.
- 4Drip acclimate new shrimp slowly to avoid TDS and pH shock.
- 5Use RO water remineralized to target for Caridina; clean tap often works for Neocaridina.
- 6Check labels: anything with copper stays away from the shrimp tank.
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Want the full explanation behind these numbers? Read our complete shrimp water parameters guide or try the shrimp stocking calculator.