Aquascaping is a proven hobby that can create an underwater atmosphere in your home, and if you’re a beginner, you can start with a shrimp tank. Shrimp jars are a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to start a shrimp farming hobby while honing your aquascaping skills.
However, many people struggle to find aquascaping inspiration, so this post will help you find the right aquascaping technique for your shrimp jar aquarium. From the budget-friendly Walstad Method to intricate bonsai arrangements, you’ll find detailed instructions and a list of plants to help you create your dream shrimp tank.
Scroll down and discover how to create a stunning shrimp jar aquarium that’s not only visually appealing but also supports the well-being of your shrimp. Get inspired!
Shrimp Jar Ideas for Beginners
Anyone can make a shrimp jar that is just as beautiful as the pros, even if you are a beginner. The first step is to find a jar that is large enough to accommodate the hardscape. Many people use old pickling jars to save money, but you can also buy terrarium jars made specifically for your jararium.
Next, depending on your plant choices, you may need a nutrient-rich substrate for your live plants, but you can often substitute this with root tabs or liquid fertilizer. Topsoil is one of the best substrate choices for shrimp jars as long as you can cover it with a thin layer of sand or gravel similar to the Walstad method. Small pieces of driftwood and rocks will work perfectly for hardscape.
Walstad Shrimp Jar
The Walstad method is the simplest and easiest option for a shrimp tank, and there are several ways to set up a Walstad shrimp jar or tank. The concept is simple, use an inch of topsoil for your nutrient layer, cover with an inch of fine gravel, add lots of plants, leave for a month to mature, then add some shrimp. Because the shrimp have a low bio-load, the plants can act as a natural filter to purify the water, keeping your shrimp safe and allowing them to thrive. While many agree that the Walstad style setup is beginner-friendly, there are some special considerations to ensure success. These include choosing the right topsoil for your nutrient layer, using minimal hardscape, choosing the right plants, and getting the right cover.
Shrimp Jar Aquarium Plants
There are a variety of shrimp aquarium plants to choose from, Limnophila Sessiliflora is probably the best choice for the large stem plant in the back left, as it grows quickly and will help purify the water. Rotala Rotundifolia is perfect for the center stem plant on the left side. This plant can grow quickly, so you will need to prune it once or twice a month to keep it at the desired height. There is also Cryptocoryne Wendtii Flamingo, which is trimmed regularly, which might work well for the red plant in the center, but can get too big for the small jar. Eleocharis Pusilla is a good choice for the hairgrass behind Cryptocoryne Wendtii Flamingo, although Eleocharis Acicularis can also be used. Most types of moss will work, but trimmed Java Moss can give a similar look to what is pictured.
Here are some inspiring shrimp jar aquarium ideas!
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