All living things need oxygen to survive, including Cherry Red shrimp. Some aquarists are sure these shrimps need an air pump in the tank, while others say it depends on the tank setup.
Cherry Red shrimp don’t always need an air pump to live in an aquarium. However, the air pump enhances the gaseous exchange, improves aeration, and most importantly, increases surface agitation. Increasing surface agitation adds more oxygen to the water while removing excess CO2.
The rest of this article will dive into the proper habitat for Cherry Red shrimp. Since these shrimp are sensitive creatures, maintaining the aquarium tank at peak care will help them thrive and stay healthy.
What Is an Aquarium Air Pump?
An aquarium air pump is a small machine that connects to the aquarium through a tube. The tube disperses oxygenated air into the water for the water creatures. You’ll notice that the air goes into the water as bubbles.
These bubbles add oxygen to the water. The bubbles also rise to the top of the water surface, releasing CO2 and other gases into the air. Removing the CO2 and gases helps the water stay fresh and ideal for the shrimp:
- Components of an air pump: Each air pump component adds dissolved oxygen to the water while removing gases and CO2. While many aquarists say that having an air pump for your tank is not essential, there are no downsides, and it can only increase the water quality.
- Tubing for air dispersal: This plastic tubing attaches to the air pump on one side, and the other sits in the tank water. The air flows through the machine and into the water, bringing oxygen that disperses for the shrimp.
- Gang valve: A gang valve offers more than one connection for air tubing, making the air pump usable for more than one tank.
- Check valve: The check valve keeps the air moving into the tank while preventing the water from reversing the flow. It ensures no backflow of water into the air tube.
- Additional connectors: Other connectors allow you to customize your air pump to a specific shrimp or fish.
What Happens if You Add an Air Pump to Your Tank?
Adding an air pump to your Cherry Red shrimp tank improves the quality of the water. The specific functions of an air pump are beneficial to the shrimp. An air pump provides aeration, filtration, visual interest, and
An Air Pump Promotes Air Circulation in Your Aquarium
Left on its own, oxygenated air would not filter into the Cherry Red shrimp aquarium. The air pump circulates the air without causing too much disruption to the water. While some fish like fast circulating water, these shrimp can’t handle a strong current.
The battery-operated air pump is an excellent backup for a power outage. It keeps the water circulating gently with oxygen filtering in, so your shrimp are safe until the power returns.
You Can Add Filtration to Your Tank With an Air Pump
A Red Cherry shrimp tank needs filtration, but you must be careful not to have a filter so strong that it sucks up the baby shrimps. Covering the intake in the water with a fine stocking will protect the tiny shrimp while oxygenating the water.
Another option is to use a sponge filter. This specific filter works well with Cherry Red shrimp because of their low bioload.
This video explains all about filter choices:
Your Tank Can Have Eye-Catching Bubbles
Some shrimp owners simply like to see bubbles floating around in their tanks for more visual interest. An air pump can only improve the shrimps’ environment, and they like the way it looks. If you like to see bubbles in your aquarium, then you may consider adding an air pump to your tank.
An Air Pump Aids With Medications
There are times when you must treat diseases and parasites that harm your Cherry Red shrimp. When this happens, you must add medication to the water. Medications often deplete the oxygen in the water.
An air pump ensures that the oxygen-rich air gets to the shrimp while expelling the gasses and CO2.
Conclusion
The final consensus is that Cherry Red shrimp don’t need an air pump to live in the aquarium. However, adding an air pump brings significant benefits, such as water aeration that improves the water quality and works with the filter to create an ideal environment. The bubbles and ripples produced by the air pump agitate the surface, improving the water circulation.
When you invest in raising and potentially breeding the Cherry Red shrimp, giving them the best aquatic home improves the health of your shrimp and makes good sense.