Review on 🦐 Premium Alder Cones for Shrimps & Freshwater Tanks - 1” Size, 50 Cones per Pack by Krystal Saddler

I keep natural style aquariums for my fish and shrimp. I find that natural tanks with lots of plants, tanning agents, leaf litter, etc. encourage the shrimp to reproduce. So I use cholla wood, almond leaves and now these alder cones. The shrimp happily nibble on it all day and they usually fill up and fall to the bottom of the tank within 2 days. Then they start sucking out tannins. Where I live the water is very, very hard, which is great because it encourages shell growth, but I am concerned about pH and its long-term effects on the shrimp. They have the benefit of also softening the water enough that I can add new water/top up the tank and give the shrimp the minerals they need while the tannins from them keep the water softer and more comfortable. It's a win for everyone and means I only have to disrupt the water/water changes occasionally. And if there's one thing shrimp love, it's their texture. If left alone/uncooked, they form a biofilm similar to driftwood. If you've never seen a biofilm, it's white, hairy, and milky. Some confuse it with a mushroom. Looks gross but is actually good for your aquarium. First, because it is a sign that the aquarium has beneficial bacteria that break down organic matter necessary for the aquarium's health. Second, because shrimp LOVE biofilm! Biofilm is a natural food for inversions like shrimp, snails and some fish like catfish. Anyway, they arrived quickly and were exactly what I expected. I just washed them off and added them to all my aquariums.