Bare bottom tank

[Shrimpster]

Would a tank with no substrate be ok for red cherry shrimp/ other species of shrimp? Would it affect breeding rate or shrimp health at all? Thanks.

[Mustafa]

No substrate shrimp tanks are a pain in the ass to deal with. They allow all kinds of gunk to accumulate at the bottom and it all gets into the water column at the slightest movement in the tank. You can't really suck it up in a breeding tank, either, as you will for sure suck up lots of babies. Even in a tank with just adults you will probably suck up a few of them, too. Also, a substrate provides more surface area for beneficial bacteria and biofilm (food) to grow on.

[Shrimpster]

Thanks, but do you know if there's any good neutral substrates available? Everytime we try one it affects the ph a lot.

[Mustafa]

Thanks, but do you know if there's any good neutral substrates available? Everytime we try one it affects the ph a lot.

I personally prefer course sand. Any thoroughly washed sand should do, but a lot of people use pool filter sand. Most sand tends to be mostly quartz and that is ph neutral.

[Shrimpster]

Thanks!

[Mustafa]

No problem.