Last Updated on November 1, 2022.
Setting up a shrimp tank but unsure whether you need an air pump? Let’s find out.
An air pump is usually not on the list of purchases you think about when setting up your shrimp tank, as at first, it doesn’t seem like a very necessary addition. You’ve got your filter running, your heater keeping things at the right temperature, and even have plenty of plants. You might be thinking you’ve got everything you need, but believe it or not, you could still be missing one more important ingredient.
The key question that needs answering is do shrimp need oxygen? And the answer is yes. Shrimp of all kinds need low amounts of oxygen, and without it, they can have problems with their metabolism and overall health. Avoiding premature death due to lack of enough oxygen in the tank is just as serious a consideration as avoiding leaving your shrimp without heat or food.
So how can you find out if your shrimp are already getting enough oxygen or not? Let’s talk about it.
Can shrimp live without an air pump?
Although having the right plants in your tank can definitely provide some oxygen naturally through photosynthesis, it’s important to supplement your tank with extra oxygen if you feel like your plants won’t provide enough. It’s also important to note that there are other bacteria in the tank that also benefit from air and can die without it, causing issues with the cycle in your tank. This is a common reason why shrimp die.
Another part of your tank to check is the filter you are using. The reason is that if you’re using a motorised filter, it can often aerate the water depending on how it’s set up. If you have one of these filters, check to see if it’s already creating bubbles or not!
If you have an air driven sponge filter, it too can meet the needs of both the filtration and oxygenation of your tank, as water is pulled through the sponge around the pump by air, and the air is then pushed out through the top. If you are filtering your shrimp tank with an air driven sponge filter, you won’t need a separate air pump.
Conclusion: Do shrimp need an air pump?
In all honestly, it is going to depend on your tank’s current situation. A smaller to reasonably sized tank with a good amount of shrimp in it might not need a dedicated air pump if your filter is already providing some bubbles and you have a bunch of thriving plants. However, if you see your shrimp more often than not going to the surface of your tank, it might be a sign that there aren’t enough oxygen sources in the tank and it’s time to supplement that with an air pump. Even if that isn’t the case, an airstone is often added for decorative reasons as well, which doesn’t hurt to have at the same time. If you want to add an air pump but want fewer bubbles than the air pump is pushing out constantly, you can easily add an air filter valve which will let you slow the flow of air to the tank. This will help you to control the amount of bubbles and oxygen that the tank gets, and solves any potential problems while looking nice too!