Shrimp Acclimation
👉Click Here for Downloadable CHEAT SHEET!👈
🦐 Shrimp Acclimation Guide (Drip Method)
Friendly, beginner-safe, and designed to be as fool-proof as possible.
Acclimating shrimp is all about slow, gentle change. Shrimp can handle a lot, but they hate sudden shifts in temperature and water chemistry (pH, GH/KH, TDS). Drip acclimation is the safest way to introduce them to their new home.
🧰 What You’ll Need
- 🦐 Your ShrimpORtwo acclimation kit (included in every order)
- 🥣 A clean container (small bowl, cup, or plastic tub)
- 🕸️ Shrimp net
- 📎 Clip to hold tubing (optional)
- 🧻 Paper towel (optional)
✅ Important: Use a container that has never had soap residue. If it’s been washed with soap before, rinse extremely well or use a shrimp-only container.
⚙️ Before You Start (Do These First)
💡 1. Turn Tank Lights OFF
Lights stress new shrimp. Keep them off during acclimation and for a few hours after.
🧪 2. Make Sure the Tank Is Ready
- Ammonia: 0
- Nitrite: 0
- Stable temperature
🧼 3. Clean Hands Only
No lotions, soaps, or chemicals.
Step-by-Step: Fool-Proof Drip Acclimation
🌡️ Step 1: Temperature Acclimate (30 Minutes)
- Keep shrimp in the sealed shipping bag.
- Float the sealed bag in your aquarium for 30 minutes.
✅ This slowly matches temperature.
⚠️ Do not open the bag yet.
🥣 Step 2: Move Shrimp to a Container (Not the Bag)
- After 30 minutes, open the bag.
- Gently pour shrimp and shipping water into your clean acclimation container.
✅ Always use a container — not the shipping bag.
Shipping bags tip easily and don’t give you room to drip safely.
💧 Step 3: Set Up Your Drip Line (1–3 Drops per Second)
- Use the tubing from your ShrimpORtwo acclimation kit.
- Place one end in your tank and one in the container.
- Start the siphon.
- Adjust flow to 1–3 drops every second.
🐢 Slow = Safe
⚠️ Fast = Risky
⏳ Step 4: Drip Acclimate (60–90 Minutes)
Let tank water drip into the container for 60–90 minutes.
This slowly adjusts shrimp to:
- pH
- GH/KH
- TDS
- Temperature stability
📏 If the container fills up too much:
- Remove and discard some water.
- Continue dripping.
🕸️ Step 5: Transfer Shrimp (NO Bag Water in Tank)
- Use a shrimp net.
- Gently move shrimp into the aquarium.
🚫 NEVER put bag/shipping water into your tank.
Shipping water can contain ammonia and waste buildup.
🌙 Step 6: Keep Things Calm After Release
- Keep lights OFF for 4–6 hours (or rest of day).
- Wait 12–24 hours before feeding.
New shrimp will usually graze and explore once settled.
🧐 What’s Normal?
✅ Normal Behavior
- Hiding
- Slow exploring
- Grazing glass or plants
- Sitting still occasionally
⚠️ Warning Signs
- Frantic swimming
- Repeated flipping
- Lying on side long-term
If you see stress signs:
- 🧪 Test ammonia/nitrite
- 🌡️ Confirm temperature
- 💡 Keep lights off
🚫 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Rushing acclimation
- ❌ Dripping too fast
- ❌ Acclimating inside the bag
- ❌ Dumping shipping water in tank
- ❌ Turning lights on immediately
- ❌ Feeding right away
🦐 ShrimpORtwo Note
Every ShrimpORtwo order includes an acclimation kit so you can drip acclimate properly without extra trips to the store. We want your shrimp transition to be smooth, safe, and stress-free.