If you’re an avid aquarium lover and keeper, then you’ve probably thought about stepping up your aquarium game to include shrimps at some point or another. Shrimps make for a great addition to any tank, whether on their own or as neighbors to other species for many reasons.
Their active and entertaining nature that’s contained in their miniscule bodies allows the use of small-sized tanks, which is beneficial if your living quarters aren’t spacious enough for the placement of large tanks. Also, if they’re placed with other fish, they act as the janitors of the tank, eliminating fish waste and improving the water’s purity and quality.
However, shrimps are a bit more sensitive to handle than fish and require certain considerations for keeping them, such as specific substrates, filters, and water conditions. Find out below how to choose filters suitable for shrimp and what are some of the best filters available for purchasing.
TLDR – Top Pick For The Best Filter For Shrimp Tanks
The best filter for shrimp tanks is the AquaClear Aquarium Filter.
How to Choose a Shrimp Filter
When choosing a shrimp filter, just make sure to look for the three following properties.
Good Biological Filtration
Any tank filter should be able to perform two basic types of filtration: mechanical and biological filtration. Mechanical filtration means the removal of large debris and particles floating around in the water. In contrast, biological filtration is the ability to eliminate nitrogenous wastes from the water by converting them into less toxic and safer substances.
Biological filtration is accomplished by beneficial bacteria that have the ability to consume and process toxic materials like ammonia that arise from fish wastes and food remains.
These beneficial bacteria need to attach themselves to an area with high water flow, oxygen content, and nutrition to grow and reproduce.
Biomedia is the bacteria’s dwelling place, which allows them to form colonies and is situated in the ideal location of water flow needed by the bacteria. Therefore, the more room for biomedia, the more room for bacteria to flourish, and the more waste is removed. And that’s where the filter comes into action.
Since shrimp can’t handle any spike in ammonia levels, the filters need to have strong biological filtration to process it and convert it into the safer nitrite quickly (less-toxic) and nitrate (safe). This conversion process is known as the nitrogen cycle that goes on through any tank’s life, and it should be completed before adding your shrimps to your tank.
Pro tip: If you’ve recently gotten a new tank and want to make sure enough beneficial bacteria are present to do their job before adding your fish and shrimps, just add the filter media or the substrate of an already established tank to your new tank to ensure the water has already been cycled.
To better understand the specific types of these bacteria and more information on the nitrogen cycle and how to properly cycle your tank, check out this article.
Shrimp-Safe
Due to the generally small size of shrimps, they’re always in danger of being sucked into the filters. Baby, adolescent, and even adult shrimps are at risk. So, to prevent this from happening, sponge pre-filters should be attached to hang-on-the-back and canister filters to adjust their intake.
Pro tip: The only filter that doesn’t require prefilters is a sponge filter.
Produces Appropriate Current/Flow
Shrimps are great swimmers, but they would appreciate a tank with a moderate current, not a super strong one. So make sure your filter produces an average flow that’s not too much for your shrimp’s endurance and swimming ability.
Best Filter for Shrimp Tank Reviewed
1. AquaClear Aquarium Filter (Top Pick)
The AquaClear Aquarium filter is a good candidate for a shrimp aquarium. It can perform all types of filtration, including mechanical, biological, and chemical.
It has a foam insert to catch large debris and detritus, as well as an activated charcoal insert to purify the water from impurities, tannins, and odors (chemical filtration).
It also has an ample biomedia space due to the presence of bioMAX ceramic rings, ensuring effective and efficient waste removal.
It’s also very easy to set up and keep in good order. Even though it’s typically not recommended for small crustaceans, it can be transformed into a shrimp-proof filter by installing an additional sponge prefilter. (link below)
I use this exact filter on my thriving shrimp tank. I added on the prefilter and have had zero problems with shrimp getting sucked into the filter. The shrimp love to graze along the surface of the sponge to get all the tasty gunk that gets trapped there.
Pros
- Provides mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration
- Forces the water through it from the bottom up, therefore increasing its contact time with the filter media
- Easy to install and maintain
Cons
- Produces a loud rattling sound in some cases
2. Aquarium Technology, Inc. Filter Max Pre-Filter
The Aquarium Technology, Inc. Filter Max Prefilter is an easy and trouble-free introduction to sponge filters. The sponge can act as both a mechanical and a biological filter, providing optimal water filtration.
It’s easy to clean and creates almost no noise. It also produces bubbles that reduce protein buildup and increase oxygen content, making your tank a safe haven for its occupants.
It comes with adapters that will let you securely attach it to the intake of most hang-on-the-back and canister filters as opposed to other sponge pre-filters, which aren’t attached as securely and constantly fall off the filter intake, putting shrimp and small fish at risk.
It’s available in three sizes to fit the capacity of your tank, and it serves as a backup filter in the case of the primary filter breaking down.
I use this prefilter on my shrimp tank, attached to my AquaClear filter. I’ve not had problems with it at all, and maintenance is easy. The shrimp are always crawling around on it, and I’ve even got flame moss that grows the surface of the sponge now. I highly recommend this prefilter to keep your shrimp safe.
Pros
- Makes hang-on-the-back and canister filters shrimp safe
- Come with adapters that will fit just about all round filter intakes
- Can be placed vertically or horizontally due to the presence of elbow pieces
Cons
- Can’t be attached to a filter with a square intake
- Some users complain about the plastic elbow pieces breaking when assembling it
3. Aquarium Technology, Inc. Hydro-Sponge Filter
If you’d like an option other than the filter/pre-filter combination, the Aquarium Technology, Inc. Hydro-Sponge Filter allows the use of just a sponge filter.
It’s basically a sponge in the shape of a toilet roll installed inside the tank, and that’s done by squeezing tank water (not tap water) into it and allowing it to sink to the bottom of the tank.
It provides excellent biological and mechanical filtration on its own, and it comes in multiple sizes to fit any tank size. You just need to buy either a powerhead or an air pump and diffuser to push the tank water through the sponge so that the water is filtered while it’s circulating in the sponge.
It comes in 5 different sizes to better suit your tank proportions, from small 5-gallon tanks and up to 125-gallon tanks. Just pick the size that fits your tank the best.
When compared to hang-on-the-back and canister filters, they don’t produce as much noise and are much easier to clean as you just rinse them in a bowl of tank water.
Its only major disadvantage is its unpleasant appearance in the tank. Nonetheless, this can be overcome by hiding it behind the tank decor, such as plants or caves.
For more information about sponge filters, take a look at this article, clarifying and mentioning some of the best sponge filters.
Pros
- Easy to install and clean
- Quieter than other filter types
- Can be used with either small or large tanks
- Provides satisfactory mechanical and biological filtration
Cons
- Takes down from the tank’s visuals a bit
- Tends to lose its shape slightly after squeezing it frequently for cleaning purposes
4. Lee’s Disposable Air Diffusers
Lee’s Disposable Air Diffusers are a great addition to any tank that could use more aeration. They’re plastic cylinders connected to and used with air-driven sponge filters to make bubbles finer and make filters less noisy.
The produced bubbles have two advantages. First, it makes for a great decorative addition to the tank. Second, it increases the oxygen entering the tank and improves water circulation, making your shrimp and fish healthy and well-oxygenated.
Pros
- Add a little something extra to your tank’s esthetics with all the bubbles they produce
- Make your tank richer in oxygen
- Reduce the noise level of the filter
Cons
- Not as long-lasting as their wooden counterparts
- Some users complain about the bubble size not being small enough
5. Fluval Power Filter
The Fluval Power Filter is another hang-on-the-back filter designed to provide multistage mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. It has two stages that provide mechanical filtration, catching large and fine debris with foam and polyester pads, respectively.
It also has one chemical filtration stage that removes toxins and impurities, as well as two stages of biological filtration.
The first biological stage is achieved by a Bio-Screen, which provides a massive surface area for the growth of beneficial bacteria. The next stage is possible due to a chamber filled with ceramic nodes that allow the presence of even more toxin-removing bacteria.
With the addition of a sponge prefilter, it can be made shrimp-safe with no danger of them being sucked into the filter.
The Fluval brand gas earned a reputation for reliability and quality, making it widely beloved by tank owners and hobbyists.
Pros
- 5-stage all-encompassing filtration
- Has a button that pops up to tell you when a cleaning session is due
- High quality which ensures a long life
Cons
- Rattling sound produced by impeller/motor
6. Fluval 107 Performance Canister Filter
For larger shrimp tanks that are 20-30 gallons in size, the Fluval 107 Performance Canister Filter is the way to go. It provides constant pressure, which in turn allows for powerful and reliable filtration, with a very quiet pump action.
It has lots of room for biomedia, therefore, has top-quality biological filtration. Also, It can be released and attached quite quickly and effortlessly due to its single-action dual locking clamps.
This 7th update to the Fluval canister filters makes it energy-efficient, more flexible, and easier to use than ever, without compromising the filtration power and quality expected normally. Just make sure to cover its intake with a prefilter to ensure no accidents happen to your shrimp buddies.
Pros
- Very muted when compared to other filters
- Offers adjustable flow
- Has large biomedia baskets that can be swiftly pulled out and replaced for cleaning
Cons
- A couple of users had a leakage problem after some time due to manufacturing errors
- Flimsy and unstable intake and output fittings that are attached to the tank with suction cups only
Which Filter Is Best For Shrimp?
When it comes to deciding on the best filter, it depends on your tank size and what’s readily available to you.
If you’re looking for a power filter that is simple to set up and use, I have to pick the AquaClear over everything else. I’ve used several of these filters for years, including in my shrimp tank. It’s easy to fit them with a prefilter, and they are super reliable.
If your tank is on the smaller side, then choosing the sponge filter is your best bet as it comes in many sizes suitable for your tank’s dimensions and can be easily installed on its own.
In the case of large tanks (20-30 gallons or more), the canister filter would be my go-to choice. It can provide excellent filtration without being hindered by the amount of water and toxins in the tank due to its high power pumps and spacious biomedia rooms.
