Going for a small shrimp tank is the best thing that you can do if you are planning to get into the aquariums. Shrimp keeping is really popular, and this is thanks to the fact that shrimp are beautiful, colorful, and active. On the downside of things, there is lots of research that goes behind finding the best beginner shrimp tank. There are many things that you need to take into consideration, and fortunately, here is where our expertise comes in.
Today we are going to check out the top 5 best aquariums for shrimps, and we are going to list the features that make them ideal for beginners. We will also present a buying guide that will teach you everything that you need to know in order to find the best nano shrimp tank. With that in mind, let’s jump right into it.
Cheap & Good | Our Favorite | Customers Choice | |
Koller AquaView | MarineLand 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit | Hygger Horizon Glass Aquarium Kit | |
Size | 10.25 x 10.25 x 14.5 inches | 11.8 x 11.6 x 17 inches | 19 x 11.8 x 9.6 inches |
Capacity | 3 gallons | 5 gallons | 8 gallons |
Weight | 1 lbs | 12 lbs | 20.4 lbs |
Color | Clear | Black | Black |
Material | Impact-Resistant Plastic | Glass | Glass |
Shape | Cylindrical | Rectangular | Curved |
Our Rating | |||
Shrimp Tank buying Guide
The trick to finding the best aquarium for shrimp is to know what specifications and features to look for. Don’t worry if you are not familiar with aquarium specs because we have your back! We are going to present a detailed buying guide that will teach you how to find the best shrimp tank kit. Check it out below:
The size
The ideal shrimp tank size that you should go for is 10-gallons. The reason behind this is that 10-gallons is more than enough for up to 10 shrimps. Not just that, but you can also add a couple of decorative items such as rocks and coral, for example. Moreover, maintaining a medium-sized tank is easy, and your shrimps will have stable water parameters so that they don’t get overcrowded. We also want to mention that going for a nano shrimp tank might not be a good idea if you are a beginner. Smaller tanks require more maintenance work, and you will probably need to purchase a special pump that does not disturb the inhabitants.
The weight of the tank
One thing that most beginners overlook when they build their first setup is the actual weight of the tank when it’s filled with water. This might come as a surprise, but a 10-gallon shrimp tank will go over 150 pounds when it’s loaded. The problem with this is that you will not be able to place the tank on a regular piece of furniture, such as a counter or office desk. The weight will eventually cause the desk to break, and you are better off buying a dedicated stand. The Hygger Horizon Glass Aquarium Kit is a great choice here because it includes a stand.
The Filtration System
We think it’s safe to say that the filtration system is the most important component in a beginner shrimp tank kit. While all the aquariums reviewed by us are bundled with powerful filtration systems, they are not all ideal for shrimps, and you will need to customize them. Take into consideration the fact that baby shrimp are 1 to 3 mm long, and therefore, they can easily get stuck in the filtration system. If you are planning to minimize risk, our advice is to go for the Corallife LED Biocube that features an advanced filtration system.
Glass vs. Acrylic
Aquariums are available with glass or acrylic, and picking the right one is very important because each material has its pros and cons. If you are not familiar with the toughness of glass or acrylic, then you don’t need to worry because we are going to present their pros and cons below to help you make the best decision.
Glass
The first thing that you will notice when searching for shrimp aquariums is that almost all of them are made from glass. This is because glass is cheap, and it makes it possible for the manufacturers to sell aquariums at a more affordable price. Glass is also clearer so that you get a better view. On the downside of things, glass shatters easily, and it is only available in two basic shapes.
Acrylic
On the other hand, we have the acrylic shrimp aquariums that are a bit more expensive. However, they make up for that by providing 7x more durability than glass. You don’t have to worry about shattering the aquarium after bumping into it. Not just that, but acrylic aquariums are available in tens of unique shapes with the Hygger Horizon Glass Aquarium being a great example. Unfortunately, acrylic gets scratched quickly.
The best Shrimp Tank
1st Corallife LED Biocube
Specifications
- Dimensions: 20.25 x 21.88 x 21.5 inches
- Weight: 56 pounds
- Material: Glass
- Color: Black
- Shape: Square
If you are looking for a shrimp tank that is going to leave everyone who sees it in awe, then you can’t go wrong with the Corallife LED Biocube that stands out with its modern design. The Corallife LED Biocube is a premium quality aquarium for shrimp that is equipped with the latest in fish tank technology. The perfect example of this is the integrated 24-hour timer that features three independent color channels (white, blue, and color enhancing). If this isn’t impressive enough, then you should know that the shrimp tank also replicates the natural day cycle with 30-minute sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset functions. Another essential feature that we want to highlight is the advanced filtration system that is hidden behind a dark panel.
One of the biggest challenges that new aquarium hobbyists are faced with is assembling the tank. Fortunately, this is not going to be an issue if you choose to purchase the Corallife LED Biocube. The reason why we are saying this is because the aquarium is compact and features a built-in customizable filtration system. Not just that, but you will also get all the required components to set up and maintain the shrimp tank. In addition, the Corallife LED Biocube is equipped with a quiet submersible pump that is going to make maintenance work more manageable.
Pros:
- Available in 16-gallons and 23-gallons;
- 24-hour integrated timer;
- It replicates the natural daylight cycle;
- Easy to set up;
- Advanced filtration system;
- Quiet submersible pump;
- Modern design.
Cons:
- The price is high.
2nd Hygger Horizon Glass Aquarium Kit
Specifications
- Dimensions: 19 x 11.8 x 9.6 inches
- Weight: 20.4 pounds
- Material: Glass
- Color: Black
- Shape: Curved
The Hygger Horizon Glass Aquarium Kit is one of the most beautiful shrimp tanks that you can purchase online, and there is no doubt about that. The tank is going to look amazing in any room, and it is equipped with multi-mode LED lights that allow you to choose between blue, white, and red. As we can see in the image featured above, the Hygger Horizon Glass Aquarium Kit offers a dynamic panoramic view due to its unique convex arc curve shape. You will always have a great view, no matter where you are standing. This makes the Hygger Horizon Glass Aquarium Kit ideal for an office space or living room.
As the name implies, the fish tank is categorized as a kit, and it ships with all the tools that you need for maintenance. We are talking about essential tools such as the 7W 110GPH power filter that runs quiet and provides high-performance pumping. You can rest assured, knowing that the water is going to be clean at all times. Furthermore, the shrimp tank uses durable and ultra-transparent glass. The last thing that we want to mention about the Hygger Horizon Glass Aquarium Kit is that due to its unique design, you will have an easy time installing it on a wall. You don’t have to purchase a dedicated stand!
Pros:
- Unique convex arc curve design;
- The 3D rocky background is included;
- Durable and ultra-transparent glass;
- High-performance pump;
- Multi-mode LED lights;
- Easy to set up;
- 8-gallons capacity;
- Full kit.
Cons:
- The background panel takes up quite a significant amount of space.
3rd MarineLand 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit
Specifications
- Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.62 x 17.05 inches
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Material: Glass
- Color: Black
- Shape: Rectangular
Whether you are experienced or a new hobbyist, the MarineLand 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit is always a great choice. The nano shrimp tank offers a sleek design paired with rounded corners and a clear glass canopy that permits viewing from multiple angles. The glass canopy also provides quick access to feed the shrimp or do maintenance work. Another impressive feature that the MarineLand 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit offers is a daylight/moonlight lighting system. You use the blue LEDs to produce a moonlight glow that will make the colors of your shrimp stand out even more. Furthermore, the nano shrimp tank features a capacity of 5-gallons, and this makes it ideal if you don’t want to get overwhelmed.
If we take a look under MarineLand 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit’s “hood,” we are going to see that it hides a powerful 3-stage filtration system. The fact that the filtration system is hidden is a good thing because it means that nothing will ever ruin your view of the shrimps. We also want to note that the back panel includes a 3-stage filtration system. The filtration equipment is all black, and this will help make your interior decorations and shrimp stand out even more. On a final note, the MarineLand 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit is an excellent choice for beginners who are not too familiar with the assembly process. The shrimp tank is bundled in an easy to assemble kit that doesn’t take longer than 30 minutes to set up.
Pros:
- Advanced 3-stage filtration system;
- All-black back panel (highlights the shrimp);
- Glass canopy;
- Easy to assemble kit;
- 5-gallons capacity;
- Rounded corners and clear glass;
- Hinged LED lighting system;
- Great starter tank;
- Z filter cartridges.
Cons:
- The stand is made from plastic.
4th Koller AquaView
Specifications
- Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 19.75 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Material: Impact-resistant plastic
- Color: Black
- Shape: Round
The Koller AquaView is equipped with a plethora of impressive features that make shrimp keeping exciting. The shrimp tank fits in the nano category having a capacity of 3-gallons, which is ideal for keeping a couple of colorful shrimps. However, the highlight feature that the Koller AquaView offers is the energy-efficient LED lighting system. The system provides up to seven dazzling color models that will not only illuminate the shrimps but also create eye-catchy color contrasts. Since we are talking about the beautiful colors of the Koller AquaView, we need to mention that it uses crystal-clear acrylic to provide a stellar view. Also, the acrylic is durable and leak-proof.
The Koller AquaView does a fantastic job when it comes to water filtration, and this is thanks to packing a complete filtration system. Even though the shrimp tank has a capacity of only 3-gallons, the filtration system is powerful enough to clean and purify water at a flow rate of 25-gallons per hour. The tank measures in at 10.2 x 10.2 x 14.5 inches and weighs only 1-pounds when empty. Therefore, you will not be required to find someone to help you move the tank when it arrives at your doorstep. Also, the lighting system features a timer that lets you create a natural light cycle.
Pros:
- Energy-efficient LED lighting;
- Multiple LED colors;
- 6-gallons capacity;
- Leakproof assurance;
- Unique design;
- Powerful filtration system;
- Crystal-clear acrylic.
Cons:
- The gravel and décor are sold separately.
5th Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium
Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.88 x 6.63 x 9.75 inches
- Weight: 2.15 pounds
- Material: Glass
- Color: Black
- Shape: Square
Aqueon is a trusted brand in the aquarium industry, and the Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium is one of its bestselling products. The beginner shrimp tank is available in the 1-gallon, 1.6-gallon, 2.5-gallons, and 5-gallons capacity options. Therefore, you will have an easy time finding the perfect size to set up your dream shrimp tank. The design of the Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium looks modern, and it features an elevated base that keeps the shrimp and all other specimens safe. Not just that, but the tank includes an Aqueon QuietFlow filtration system that promises to purify the water and to prevent the shrimp from getting into the filter housing.
Even though it may seem like the plastic top can get in the way when doing maintenance work, this is not the case. The Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium features a special feeding hole that provides quick access. Since this is a premium product, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise to find out that it is equipped with a LED lighting system that will keep your shrimps in the spotlight. The manufacturer guarantees that the shrimp tank kit will arrive safely at the destination, and it does that by shipping it in a dedicated container that protects against scratches and breakage.
Pros:
- Great price;
- Available in the following capacity options: 1-gallon, 1.6-gallon, 2.5-gallons, and 5-gallons;
- Elevated base;
- Aqueon QuietFlow filtration system;
- It includes food and water care samples;
- Small filter cartridges;
- LED lighting system;
- It ships in a dedicated container.
Cons:
- The filter intake is a bit too strong for small shrimp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Tank do Shrimp need?
Shrimp are really popular, and this is thanks to their small size that makes them ideal for all types of aquariums. Shrimp can be housed in aquariums as small as 5-gallons, and they will have more than enough room to swim freely. However, the ideal tank size is 10-gallons because shrimps are more sensitive than fish to the changes in water quality, and getting a 10-gallons tank will minimize the risk.
Are Shrimps hard to keep in an Aquarium?
Are you worried that keeping shrimp is difficult? If that is the case, then you should be pleased to know shrimp are much easier to keep than fish. However, there is one downside. As previously noted, shrimp are very sensitive to changes in water quality, and they will react badly. That’s not all. Shrimp are also vulnerable to copper and many other metals. Therefore, you should make sure to trace the amount of iron found in the water chemistry.
Can Guppies live with Shrimp?
Just like shrimp, guppies are known for being small and colorful. Thanks to this, guppies make a perfect match for shrimps. The two species can be live together, but you need to take some precautionary measures to ensure that they do not hurt each other. Shrimps are actually in the food chain for guppies but down the line. Guppies will eat shrimp, but this will not happen if you take precautions such as providing the right food for each species so that they don’t get in the way of each other.
How many Shrimps can I put in a 10-Gallons Tank?
First off, you need to ask yourself what kind of shrimp you want to place in the tank. There is a wide variety of shrimps, and they are not all the same size. Generally, you can keep up to 100 shrimps in a 10-gallons tank. Although, you are better off only holding a maximum of 50 shrimps. If you go for 50, then you will have five shrimp per 1-gallon of water, and this will ensure that they are happy and healthy.
Do you need Live Plants for Shrimps?
The short answer is yes. Shrimp benefit greatly from plants because they can have cover to hide or go to sleep. On the bright side of things, you don’t have to get live plants, and you choose artificial ones instead to make the maintenance work easier. You might also want to decorate the nano shrimp tank with rocks because they look fantastic and also provide more cover.