FAQ
Care FAQs
Does my bowl need a filter?
No. Once established, your plants and beneficial bacteria handle filtration naturally, no pumps or cartridges required. This is a balanced biological system rather than a mechanically filtered one.
Does my bowl need a heater?
Neocaridina shrimp thrive between 65 and 80°F. If your home stays in that range, you don't need a heater. If your space runs cooler, a small aquarium heater sized for a compact bowl will keep the temperature stable.
How long before I can add shrimp?
Your bowl needs 4 weeks to let plants root and beneficial bacteria establish before it's ready for shrimp. This lines up with how we ship: your kit (bowl, substrate, plants) arrives first, and shrimp follow about a month later once your bowl has had time to complete its nitrogen cycle and settle in.
What kind of shrimp work best in this setup?
Neocaridina davidi varieties (Red Cherry, Blue Dream, Yellow Goldenback, Rili, and similar color forms) are hardy and well suited to a planted, low-tech bowl like this.
Is this hard to maintain?
No. Most upkeep is topping off evaporated water, occasional water changes, light trimming of plants, and feeding 2 to 3 times a week. It gets easier as the bowl matures and finds its balance.
Do I need to feed my shrimp?
Yes, but lightly. Shrimp graze constantly on biofilm and algae in the bowl, so a small supplemental feeding 2 to 3 times a week is usually enough. Overfeeding is the most common cause of water quality issues in a small system like this, so it's better to feed less than more.
What are the minerals for?
The mineral packet included in your kit remineralizes the distilled water, raising general hardness (GH) and TDS to the levels shrimp need for healthy molting. It's also what causes that brief cloudiness in the first 24 to 48 hours after setup as it dissolves.
The water is cloudy. Is this normal?
Cloudiness in the first 24 to 48 hours after setup is normal. It comes from the mineral packet dissolving into the water, and it clears on its own.
If cloudiness shows up later, it's usually a bacterial bloom, most often caused by overfeeding. The best fix is to skip feeding entirely for 1 to 2 weeks and let the bowl rebalance.
How do I know if my water parameters are okay?
If your shrimp seem lethargic, are struggling to molt, or you just want to double check, a TDS meter is the easiest way to test your water at home. It reads the dissolved mineral content in seconds, so you can confirm your parameters are where they should be. An inexpensive one from any aquarium retailer works fine.
Will I get algae?
Some algae in the first few weeks is common in any new planted setup. As plants establish and your shrimp begin grazing, it typically settles down on its own. Manual removal with tweezers in the early weeks helps it along. See maintenance guide for more info.
Do I need to do water changes?
Not routinely. This system is designed to stay balanced on its own. If you notice significant algae buildup, a partial water change with the included siphon can help reset things, but otherwise there's no regular water-change schedule to follow.
Why do I need distilled water instead of tap water?
This system runs on distilled water with our mineral packets added back in. That is what keeps the water chemistry precise and consistent for shrimp. Tap water is unpredictable: it carries chlorine or chloramine (both toxic to shrimp), variable mineral content, and sometimes trace copper from household plumbing, which shrimp are especially sensitive to. Because our minerals are measured for distilled water, starting from tap water throws off the balance. Use distilled for setup, water changes, and top-offs. Available at any grocery store.
If you do choose to use tap water, treat it with a dechlorinator first and monitor your water to keep the correct mineral levels. A TDS meter is the easiest way to check that your parameters stay in range.
Why is there an oily film on the surface of the water?
A thin surface film is usually a protein or biofilm layer from waste, uneaten food, or natural tannins, and it's more noticeable in a bowl with still water and no filter agitation. Skim it off with a paper towel laid flat on the surface, or gently disturb the surface during a water change to break it up.
Some soil escaped the sand cap. What do I do?
A little disturbance is normal and not harmful. The sand caps the soil to keep it out of the water, but a few stray bits can work loose. Leave small amounts alone. If significant disturbance occurred, you can order a substrate replacement/refill from us.
Do I need to vacuum the sand?
No, and it's best not to. Deep vacuuming disturbs the soil layer underneath and the beneficial bacteria that keep the bowl balanced. Very light surface cleaning during a water change is ok, but not required for success.
Can I keep fish in this bowl?
No. Both the 2-gallon and 3-gallon kits are designed specifically as shrimp and snail habitats. They are not suitable for fish due to their size.
Shipping & Orders FAQs
What's included in a Shrimp Portal kit?
Each kit includes a glass bowl (2-gallon/25cm or 3-gallon/30cm), an LED light with wood base, layered substrate, tissue-culture plants, floating plants, snails, mineral packets, all setup and maintenance materials, plus printed setup, maintenance, and care guides. Live shrimp are offered as a separate add-on and can be arranged for shipment a month after your kit; see below for how that works. .
What's the difference between the 2-gallon and 3-gallon Shrimp Portal?
No major difference. The 2 gallon (25cm diameter) is great for desktops, whereas the 3 gallon (30cm) is ideal for side tables, cabinets, etc. Each kit comes with everything needed, including live plants.
Why is this a pre-order?
We're launching a limited run of just 100 kits, and we don't know yet when the next batch will be ready. Once they're gone, they're gone.
Why do the shrimp ship separately from the rest of my kit?
Your bowl needs about a month to complete its nitrogen cycle before it's ready for shrimp (see the Care section above for details). The bowl, substrate, plants, and snails ship together right away, and shrimp follow once your bowl has had time to establish.
How do I arrange my shrimp shipment?
Around the one-month mark, email us at support@verdantaquaticstudio.com to schedule your shrimp shipment and confirm a delivery day when someone will be available to bring the package inside promptly.
How do shrimp ship?
Via UPS Next Day Air in insulated, breather-bag packaging built for live aquatic animals, Monday through Wednesday only, so they're never sitting in transit over a weekend.
Where do you ship?
Within the United States, including Alaska. International shipping isn't available yet. Hawaii and Puerto Rico can order the bowl, plants, and dry goods, but we're currently unable to ship live shrimp to these two locations due to import restrictions.
What if the weather is bad when my shrimp are scheduled to ship?
We monitor temperatures along the shipping route and may delay a shrimp shipment by a few days during extreme heat or cold, for the shrimp's safety. We'll email you if that happens.
What happens if a shrimp doesn't survive shipping?
Every shrimp order includes two extra shrimp as a built-in buffer, so minor transit loss is usually already covered. If more than two arrive dead on arrival, our Live Arrival Guarantee covers replacement or credit. Full details are on our Live Arrival Guarantee page.
Can I return a kit once it's set up?
Bowls, lights, and other hardgoods can be returned within 30 days if unused. Since the kits are meant to be set up and planted right away, general dissatisfaction after setup isn't covered, but if something's wrong with the kit itself, reach out and we'll make it right.
What if a plant or snail arrives in poor condition?
Contact us within 24 hours of delivery with a photo, and we'll work with you on a replacement.
How do I contact Verdant Aquatic Studio?
Email us anytime at support@verdantaquaticstudio.com