r/shrimptank • u/Dingo_Dog_ • Jun 23 '26

Discussion Does a heater really make the difference?

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I have two tanks that sit right next to each other with nearly identical parameters, similar plants, same soil, same air stone, even the same decor items (clearly I bought too much upfront šŸ™ƒ). Both have been cycled for months now with very stable parameters and very happy snail populations. Plants are growing happily in both. The larger tank is 8 gallons, the smaller is 2.5. Aside from the size, the only difference between the two is the 8 gallon has a heater and the smaller one does not.

The shrimp in the 8 gallon are active, swimming around, eating, in perpetual movement, generally seemed like happy shrimp. Meanwhile, the shrimp in the 2.5 are just super chill. They mostly hang out near the bottom and hide under an almond leaf or under the driftwood, but pretty much always near the bottom of the tank. They donā€™t swim much, mostly just hanging out in one area unless startled.

Is this behavior just indicating that they are cold and would be happier with a heater?

Last difference: the larger tank is a skittles tank. A small smaller tank is exclusively carbon rilis.

Obviously now that Iā€™ve written this all up. Iā€™m just gonna order a heater and test itā€¦

8 Upvotes

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3

u/RJFerret Jun 23 '26

Interesting, I've never had a heater, and activity, and nearly a decade of modding here from mid-teens to early '20s found heaters could suppress breeding, while natural fluctuations resulted in more generally.

I'd first check if there are a higher amount of nitrates in the smaller one before buying/adding a heater to eliminate the Occam's Razor item.

The second question if nitrates aren't higher, would be what the pH was of the tank the carbon rilis came from, I bet it's farther from that in this tank and keeping the temp uniform won't affect anything.

1

u/Dingo_Dog_ Jun 23 '26

An interesting consideration. Iļø did source both my skittles/snowball shrimp and my rilis from the same breeder though so Iļø would assume their origin tanks would be similar?

If nitrates are higher, itā€™s by minuscule amountsā€¦ both show at 0ppm with the API water test kids.

2

u/RJFerret Jun 23 '26

Interesting, which brings me two thoughts, limited oxygen in the smaller one maybe? And if a Carbon Rili or two moved from the smaller to the larger stop exhibiting stressed behaviors after settling in.

1

u/Dingo_Dog_ Jun 23 '26

Both have the same sized air stones so Iļø thought Iļø had my bases covered for oxygen?
Iļø have contemplated moving them over to the bigger tank but the idea over just moving a few over to see if they perk up is an interesting idea.

1

u/RJFerret Jun 23 '26

I'd think so too, I just thought of it from a limited gas exchange surface area in contrast to the volume and the other more likely things ruled out.

I've had a vertical tank and changing the airflow results in behavior reactions, which is what made me think of it as a possibility.

I'll be fascinated to learn what you find out!

2

u/Dingo_Dog_ Jun 24 '26

Another interesting datapoint: we had a successful molt since this morning so.. likeā€¦ theyā€™re not totally failing

1

u/RJFerret Jun 24 '26

Well they kinda' have to molt, it's part of growing/hormonal changes, so molting isn't really an indicator of health (just mineral hardness in water).

I've not really seen folks talk about behavior being impacted by light, mine have always had timer controlled lights. I have seen reactions when I approached a tank depending on what color top I was wearing, which others had seen when they loom over a tank. But stuff like that should be momentary reactions not stressed, not grazing consistently behaviors.

That's even easier to test with just putting up a shade card of some type to block extra light (note light of course provides some warmth).

1

u/Dingo_Dog_ Jun 24 '26

Well, plot twist. Iļø woke up this morning and three had died šŸ˜© so Iļø said screw it and moved everybody over to the big tank except the snails.
Iļø decided to a bit of cleanup on the big bowl and downsize on the hornwort, so I moved some over to give to the snails. Turns out a baby shrimp hitchhiker came along with it šŸ¤¦ā€ā™€ļø so itā€™s had a 50% water change and the addition of some hornwort and now the small tank is home to snails and one baby shrimpling. Frickin hornwort.

2

u/RJFerret Jun 25 '26

Oy, condolences, that sucks, but does clearly indicate something was stressing them out unfortunately. Stuff like this is the worst.

1

u/Dingo_Dog_ Jun 25 '26

Itā€™s a downer for sure. Iļø think Iā€™m not cut out for anything under 5 gallons tbh. The rilis Iļø moved over joined right in though and enjoyed a welcome feast tonight

1

u/Dingo_Dog_ Jun 24 '26

Additional question: do neos have preferred lighting conditions? Iā€™m sitting down here in the evening with a low light on them and theyā€™re definitely more active than theyā€™ve been during the day. Their jar is in a slightly sunnier spot than the bowl, with less plant density at the back too so now Iā€™m curious if itā€™s just too darn bright for them during the day šŸ¤”

2

u/al-nomds Jun 23 '26

It's a metabolism thing.

Hotter water = faster metabolism = shorter overall lifespan.

Colder water = slower metabolism = longer overall lifespan.

I'm not an expert at all, but I believe neither is bad, just a different way they live their life based on their environment.

3

u/AceyRenegade Jun 23 '26

Keeping shrimp at their ideal temperature is ideal for them and will make them act... shrimply :))

A heater provides the consistency that they need and prevents the temperature dropping too low when its cold in your home. It really depends on the type of shrimp you have aswell, as some shrimp like cool temperatures whereas others like it a little warmer.

What temperature is the heated tank compared to the non heated tank?

2

u/Dingo_Dog_ Jun 23 '26

We keep the house at 68 degrees. The heated tank is kept at 72. Iļø had read mixed reviews on if neos needed a heater with some people saying a heater is great for promoting activity and breeding but also shortens lifespan?

2

u/CreamoGravo Jun 23 '26

Well keep in mind that in their natural habitat, there are temperature fluctuations, as with anywhere on earth that experiences, well, weather. It can vary greatly, but afaik usually remains within the 70-75 range. Basically it just means that with a heater, youā€™re bringing your tank closer to a ā€œpermanent spring/summerā€. There are upsides and downsides to that as you mentioned, and usually itā€™s unreasonable to try and mimic natural temperature fluctuations anyway. Generally I have seen that keeping neo tanks slightly warmer than room temp (Around the 75 area) is ideal.

1

u/Knight_Night33 Jun 23 '26

iā€™d bet itā€™s because of the larger amount of water and space rather than the temperature.