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PLANT LIST
🌿 Rotala Rotundifolia
🌿 Becopa Caroliniana
🌿 Eleocharis Parvula
🌿 Christmas Moss
🌿 Salvinia Auriculata
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Walstad Method Cherry Shrimp Tank Setup - Planted Tank For Cherry Shrimp Breeding!
Welcome to my video on setting up a Walstad cherry shrimp tank! In this video, I’ll show you how I use fast-growing plants for natural filtration and create grazing areas for my shrimp. With the Walstad Method and cherry shrimp gaining popularity, I wanted to share this simple and affordable setup process for a cherry shrimp breeding tank.
Supplies and Setup
For this build, I'll list all supplies in the video description. The aquarium is 25 liters, just shy of 7 US gallons. I’m using moss mats to provide grazing areas, fitting five stainless steel grids in the foreground. Driftwood forms the midground, perfect for moss coverage.
Adding Soil and Substrate
I use nutrient-rich Westland topsoil for the background, ideal for fast-growing stem plants. I sieve the soil to remove rocks and debris, ensuring a clean base. The soil layer is about 1 inch deep, with a sand and gravel mix as the capping layer. This helps lock in nutrients and prevent soil from floating.
Planting and Hardscape
I add a small amount of water to ease planting and remove trapped air bubbles. Moss mats are created by wrapping moss on stainless steel grids with thread. This provides excellent grazing spots for shrimp. Driftwood pieces are also wrapped in moss, creating additional grazing areas.
Plant Selection
The tank includes Rotala Rotundifolia, Bacopa Caroliniana, and Eleocharis. Rotala is the main water purification plant, while Bacopa and Eleocharis add aesthetic value. Cherry shrimp have a low bioload, making it easy to maintain stable water parameters in a planted tank.
Final Setup
After filling the tank with conditioned water, I add a light and heater. An AquaEl Leddy light ensures plant growth, while a cheap USB pump provides water flow. Floating plants like Salvinia help with natural water purification and provide extra feeding space for shrimp.
Adding Shrimp
After letting the tank mature for 4-6 weeks, I checked water parameters to ensure safety for the shrimp. I then added around 50 cherry shrimp from my old colony, acclimating them gradually. Cherry shrimp thrive in this environment, grazing on biofilm and algae.
Ongoing Maintenance
Regular trimming of Rotala keeps the tank clean and helps with water purification. I occasionally remove lower-grade shrimp to maintain colony quality. The new light, SEAOURA, with a timer, has been a great upgrade for managing light cycles.
Conclusion
This is what my Walstad cherry shrimp tank looks like now, with everything growing in nicely. I’m looking forward to seeing baby shrimp soon. I hope you found this video helpful. Thanks for watching, and have a great day!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Supplies
00:40 - Cherry Shrimp Tank Setup
01:28 - Adding The Top Soil
02:23 - Adding The Capping Layer
03:21 - Removing Trapped Air
03:47 - Making Moss Mats
04:26 - Adding Driftwood
04:46 - Adding The Live Plants
06:06 - Filling The Tank With Water
06:24 - Aquarium Accessories
07:04 - Floating Plants
07:22 - Tank At The End Of The Setup
07:35 - 3D Print Moss Shelves
08:13 - Increasing gH Levels
08:24 - Shrimp Tank Cycling
09:10 - Trimming The Rotala
09:26 - Water Parameters
10:28 - Cherry Shrimp Prep
11:21 - Adding The Cherry Shrimp
12:21 - Improving The Breeding Line
13:02 - The Tank Today
14:09 - Heater And Water Pump
14:21 - Light Upgrade
14:33 - Cherry Shrimp Breeding
Some of the links in this video description may be affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission from any purchases made.