Best Shrimp GH Mineral Supplements: Salty Shrimp, SL-Aqua and More
Remineralising RO or soft tap water is essential for healthy shrimp moults and breeding success. Singapore’s PUB tap water sits at GH 2-4, which is too soft for most Neocaridina species and needs careful adjustment for Caridina as well. Choosing the best shrimp mineral GH supplement ensures your shrimp get the right balance of calcium, magnesium, and trace elements. At Gensou Aquascaping in Singapore, we have trialled every major brand and can help you pick the right one for your colony.
Why GH Remineralisation Matters for Shrimp
General hardness measures dissolved calcium and magnesium, both critical for exoskeleton formation. Shrimp that moult in water with insufficient GH develop soft shells, failed moults, and eventually die. Too much GH wastes product and can stress sensitive Caridina species. Dialling in the right GH for your species is one of the most important parameters in shrimp keeping.
Salty Shrimp GH/KH+
Salty Shrimp is the gold standard among Neocaridina keepers worldwide. Their GH/KH+ formula raises both GH and KH simultaneously, buffering pH to a stable 7.0-7.5. A single scoop per 10 litres of RO water typically hits GH 6-7 and KH 2-3, though your exact result depends on source water. A 230 g tub costs $28-$38 SGD and lasts months for a standard breeding rack. Dissolves quickly and does not cloud water.
For Caridina keepers using active soil that strips KH, Salty Shrimp also offers a GH+ only formula that raises GH without affecting KH. This is the version you want for Crystal Red, Taiwan Bee, and Galaxy Pinto shrimp tanks.
SL-Aqua Mineral Supplement
SL-Aqua is a Taiwanese brand with a strong reputation in Asia. Their Magic Powder GH conditioner includes humic substances alongside minerals, which shrimp breeders believe promotes biofilm growth and reduces stress. Price is higher at $35-$50 SGD for a 100 g bottle, but many competitive breeders swear by the results. Dosing is straightforward: add to RO water until a TDS meter reads your target value, usually 100-120 ppm for Caridina and 180-220 ppm for Neocaridina.
Lowkeys Mineral Plus GH
Lowkeys is a Japanese brand popular with high-grade Caridina breeders. Their Mineral Plus GH formula is designed exclusively for bee shrimp kept on buffering substrates. It raises GH without altering KH, and the mineral ratio is optimised for Taiwan Bee colour intensity. At $40-$55 SGD per bottle, it sits at the premium end. Worth considering if you breed high-value shrimp where colour and survival rates directly affect your return.
Mosura Mineral Plus Ultra
Another Japanese brand, Mosura focuses on trace mineral enrichment beyond basic calcium and magnesium. Their Mineral Plus Ultra adds montmorillonite clay minerals that support shell hardness and bacterial colonisation. Some breeders in Singapore use it as a secondary supplement alongside a primary GH product. Pricing is around $30-$45 SGD for a 30 g jar. A little goes a long way.
How to Dose Correctly
Always mix minerals into a bucket of RO or aged water before adding to the tank. Never dose dry powder directly into a shrimp tank, as localised mineral spikes can shock sensitive species. Use a TDS meter to verify your target. For Caridina on active soil, aim for TDS 100-130 ppm and GH 4-5. For Neocaridina, TDS 180-250 ppm and GH 6-8 works well. Consistency matters more than hitting a specific number, so keep the same brand and dosing routine across water changes.
Singapore Water Considerations
PUB tap water in Singapore has GH 2-4 and KH 1-3, making it workable for Neocaridina with a small GH boost. Many local breeders simply add half a scoop of Salty Shrimp GH/KH+ per 20 litres of dechlorinated tap water and get excellent results. For Caridina, most serious breeders start with RO water from a home unit and remineralise from scratch to ensure total control over parameters. RO systems cost $80-$200 SGD on Shopee and pay for themselves quickly if you run multiple tanks.
Which Brand Should You Choose?
For Neocaridina beginners, Salty Shrimp GH/KH+ offers the best balance of reliability, availability, and price. Caridina breeders aiming for competition-grade shrimp often prefer Lowkeys or SL-Aqua for the trace element profiles. Ultimately, shrimp care more about consistency than brand name. Pick one product, dose it accurately, and stick with it. Switching brands mid-cycle can shift mineral ratios enough to trigger moulting issues in sensitive colonies.
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