Complete Shopping List Shrimp Tank SGD 300 Guide: Starter Kit

A shrimp tank at SGD 300 is the most accessible serious entry into the hobby — small enough for a desk, simple enough to run with a single sponge filter, and rewarding enough to keep you hooked for years. The complete shopping list shrimp tank below covers every item for a 30cm or 36cm Neocaridina build with real Singapore retail prices. This guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park is the same starter cart we hand first-time shrimp keepers who walk in with SGD 300 — buffered substrate, gentle filtration, sensible plants, ready livestock.

Tank: SGD 50

A 36cm rimless cube (roughly 30 litres) at SGD 45-55 from the aquarium tank range is the right scale for a starter colony. The Mr Aqua or Crystal Aquatics ranges both stock this size. Smaller (20-25 litre) cubes work but have less stable parameters. Skip glass-rimmed budget tanks — they leak. Total SGD 50.

Filtration: SGD 35

Sponge filtration is non-negotiable for shrimp — canister and HOB intakes shred shrimplets. A Qanvee QS-100 or QS-200 dual-sponge filter at SGD 18-25 from the sponge filter range paired with a small air pump (Resun AC-2000 or equivalent) at SGD 15-20 covers 30-litre filtration. Add a 1m airline tube and check valve. Total SGD 35.

Lighting: SGD 60

A budget LED clip-on like the Year-Color or generic 30cm white-spectrum unit at SGD 30-40 produces sufficient PAR for low-light plants (Java moss, Anubias, Bucephalandra). For a step up, the Chihiros Mini at SGD 60-80 adds RGB warmth and full spectrum. Browse the aquarium light range. Allocate SGD 60.

Substrate: SGD 55

Active buffering substrate is essential for Neocaridina (which prefer neutral pH 6.8-7.4) and especially Caridina (5.8-6.5). One 8L bag of Dennerle Scaper’s Soil at SGD 50-55 covers a 36cm tank with the right depth and provides 24-30 months of pH buffering. Skip inert sand for shrimp — molting issues follow. Total SGD 55.

Hardscape and Plants: SGD 50

A small piece of spider wood at SGD 15-25 plus 1-2 small dragon stones at SGD 8-12 each gives the visual base. Plants: a clump of Java moss (SGD 5), 2-3 Anubias nana petite on driftwood (SGD 8/each), a small Bucephalandra (SGD 8-12) and a small bunch of Najas grass (SGD 5-8) cover the planting needs. Total SGD 50.

Heater and Thermometer: SGD 25

Neocaridina thrive at 22-26°C — Singapore ambient sits at 28-31°C, so a small 25W heater at SGD 18-25 keeps cooler-water Caridina happy if you go that route, but most Neocaridina builds skip it. A stick-on digital thermometer at SGD 5-8 covers monitoring. Total SGD 25.

Water Conditioner and Test Kit: SGD 25

An API Stress Coat or Seachem Prime at SGD 12-18 from the water conditioner range handles chloramine in PUB tap. A basic API freshwater liquid test kit at SGD 50 is best, but a budget pH and ammonia strip kit at SGD 8-12 covers minimums. Add a TDS pen at SGD 8-15 — shrimp keepers monitor TDS more than ammonia. Total SGD 25.

Starter Shrimp: SGD 50

10-12 Neocaridina (Cherry, Yellow, Blue Dream) at SGD 4-6 each from local breeders on Carousell or LFS like ANS Aquatic. Wait 4-6 weeks after tank cycling before adding shrimp — soil tanks can show ammonia spikes for the first month. Avoid mixing Neo and Caridina in the same tank — different parameters. Total SGD 50.

Budget Summary: Where the SGD 300 Goes

Tally: tank SGD 50, filter SGD 35, light SGD 60, substrate SGD 55, hardscape/plants SGD 50, heater/thermometer SGD 25, conditioner/test SGD 25, starter shrimp SGD 50 — total SGD 350. Push under SGD 300 by skipping the heater (Singapore Neocaridina build), using the budget light, and starting with 8 shrimp instead of 12. Where to splurge: substrate (active buffering matters). Where to save: heater (often unnecessary), light (clip-on works). Pair the build with a TDS-stable water-change routine for healthy molts.

Related Reading

• Best Shrimp Tank Substrate Buying Guide
• Cherry Shrimp Care Guide
• Best Water Conditioner Shrimp Tank Buying Guide
• Shrimp Tank Cycling Guide
• Caridina vs Neocaridina Shrimp Guide