{"title":"Starter kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eEverything a first shrimp tank needs, in the order you'll use it — hardy shrimp, soil, minerals, food, a moss to hide in, and the test kit that tells you your water is right.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"snow-ball","title":"Snow Ball","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sz-acc\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"sz-acc__title\"\u003eSnowball Shrimp (Neocaridina) | Single Grade Colony\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-snow-ball\" checked\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA frosted-white shrimp — looks like frosted glass against dark soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrives almost see-through. The white builds as they grow, and females later carry bright white eggs, which is where the name comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne price, no grades.\u003c\/strong\u003e The colour comes with age, so a “premium” juvenile would look identical to a standard one today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeocaridina — the easiest way into shrimp, forgiving of beginner mistakes, and quick to breed. Numbers in the FAQ.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-snow-ball\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Snowball is a classic Neocaridina — no elaborate patterns, no fragile mutations, just an icy translucence that pops like frosted glass against dark soil and green moss. Neocaridina breed prolifically and forgive the mistakes every new keeper makes, which makes a Snowball colony one of the easiest ways into the hobby and one of the quickest to multiply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the photo.\u003c\/strong\u003e We ship unsexed juveniles, and young Snowballs look almost clear. Treat the photo as the target, not the arrival — as they mature the tissue turns frosted white, and females carry the stark-white eggs the strain is named for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-snow-ball\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColour \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo things to expect, so there are no surprises:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJuveniles arrive transparent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Young Snowballs are naturally clear — the icy white builds as they feed, moult and grow in your tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe white eggs come last:\u003c\/strong\u003e The signature only appears at full maturity, when females carry brilliant stark-white eggs like clusters of tiny snowballs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-snow-ball\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrading\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe grade by the traits that genuinely vary within a batch — pattern density, colour saturation, how far colour wraps around the shell. Where those differences are visible in the tank from day one, we sort them and price each tier for what it actually is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnowballs aren't like that. Their colour is driven by maturity, not by sortable genetics: a juvenile we called “premium” would look identical to a standard one, and the difference wouldn't show for months — in your tank, not ours. Charging more for that is guesswork with a price tag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo Snowballs are \u003cstrong\u003eone grade, one price\u003c\/strong\u003e — robust unsexed juveniles straight from our clean Neocaridina vats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sz-acc__rule\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sz-acc__note\"\u003eThe photo shows a high-grade or best-looking adult from the batch. We ship unsexed juveniles, 0.6–1.2 cm — too young to tell male from female. Shrimp arrive pale from the trip and colour back up within days. For detailed water parameters, tank setup guides, and our 100% Live Arrival Guarantee, see our FAQ.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SZA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52666720616760,"sku":"SZ-SNOWBALL-STD","price":8.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0971\/3339\/6280\/files\/snowball.jpg?v=1780376878"},{"product_id":"aquario-neo-shrimp-soil","title":"Aquario Neo Shrimp Soil","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe shrimp-tuned version of the Neo Soil range — the same two-layer volcanic base, formulated to pull pH and KH down into the soft, acidic range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003esubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e is the material covering the tank floor — an “active” soil like this one deliberately changes water chemistry rather than sitting inert. \u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e is the acidity scale (below 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline), and \u003cstrong\u003eKH\u003c\/strong\u003e — carbonate hardness — is the water's buffer against pH swings: the lower the KH, the more easily pH moves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAquario Neo Shrimp Soil shares the two-layer volcanic construction of Neo Soil for Plants: a lighter brown core under a dark, micro-porous outer shell that keeps adsorbing pollutants (making them stick to its surface, rather than adding anything in) and hosting beneficial bacteria — the helpful microbes that break down waste — for the life of the substrate. The difference is the tuning — this version is formulated to pull pH and carbonate hardness down harder, rather than settling at general community-tank conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat that does in a tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e the substrate does the buffering itself (buffering means actively holding water chemistry at a set point), so pH and KH drift downward and hold there without acid buffers dosed on top. How far and how fast depends on your source water, how much soil you've used and how heavily you change water — Aquario doesn't publish figures for this specific soil, so treat your own test kit as the source of truth rather than a number on the bag. Expect the buffering to weaken as the soil ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAquario also markets this soil as releasing humic acid (a natural acid from broken-down plant matter, the family that tints wild blackwater streams) and trace elements (minerals living things need in tiny amounts) that support shell formation and colouration in shrimp — that's manufacturer language we haven't independently confirmed, so we're not repeating it as established fact.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with the Plants version, it comes in Normal (~3–4mm) or Powder (~1mm) grain, in 3L or 8L bags.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo-layer volcanic aquasoil, tuned to pull pH and KH down harder than the Plants version\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEffect in a tank: buffers toward soft, acidic water from the substrate itself — strength varies with source water, soil volume and water-change routine, and fades as the soil ages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContinuously adsorbs pollutants and hosts beneficial bacteria, not just an initial buffer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManufacturer claims humic acid and microelements aid shell formation and colouration — not independently confirmed by us\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAquario publishes no target pH\/KH figures for this soil — test your own water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNormal (~3–4mm) or Powder (~1mm) grain; 3L or 8L bags\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Aquario","offers":[{"title":"Normal \/ 3L","offer_id":52798378148152,"sku":"D-NEO SHRIMP SOIL 3L-NORMAL","price":35.25,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Normal \/ 8L","offer_id":52798378180920,"sku":"D-NEO SHRIMP SOIL 8L-NORMAL","price":68.75,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Powder \/ 3L","offer_id":52798378213688,"sku":"D-NEO SHRIMP SOIL 3L-POWDER","price":35.25,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Powder \/ 8L","offer_id":52798378246456,"sku":"D-NEO SHRIMP SOIL 8L-POWDER","price":78.25,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0971\/3339\/6280\/files\/neo-shrimp-soil.jpg?v=1786596346"},{"product_id":"aquario-neo-bag-plus","title":"Aquario Neo Bag Plus","description":"\u003cp\u003eA mesh filter bag that adsorbs positive-ion (cationic) components — calcium and magnesium — and which Aquario says lowers pH toward weakly acidic water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo \u003cstrong\u003eadsorb\u003c\/strong\u003e is to make something stick to a surface: the media pulls minerals out of the water and holds onto them, rather than adding anything in. \u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e is the acidity scale — below 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline. Calcium and magnesium are the two minerals that make water “hard”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Aquario's own words, Neo Bag Plus “chemically adsorbs positive ion(cationic) components such as calcium and magnesium” and “quickly lowers pH to maintain weak acidity water quality”. Note the name: the “Plus” refers to the \u003cem\u003echarge of the ions removed\u003c\/em\u003e, not to raising pH or hardness. This bag brings both down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside are white and black “energy balls” which Aquario says supply organic carbon and trace elements — the minerals living things need in tiny amounts — supporting the bacteria that biologically remove nitrogen compounds and pollutants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat that does in a tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e stripping calcium and magnesium lowers general hardness — often written GH, a measure of how much dissolved calcium and magnesium the water carries — and Aquario claims pH follows it down. How far and how fast depends on your source water and how much media you run against your volume. Aquario's own instructions say to watch pH and stop using it if the reading falls too low — worth heeding, because the effect stacks with anything else acidifying the tank, such as an active soil (a substrate — the material covering the tank floor — that deliberately pulls pH down).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAquario position the bag for freshwater fish and plants that prefer soft, slightly acidic water, and specifically except African cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdsorbs cations — calcium and magnesium — lowering general hardness; Aquario also claim it lowers pH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite and black energy balls supply organic carbon and trace elements for the bacterial colony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAquario dosing: 1 bag per 60 L, or an extra bag if you want a quicker effect. 8 bags per pack, each 12 × 8 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBefore use, Aquario say to shake it in clean water about 20 times; black water coming out is normal and comes from the black energy ball\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAquario say the energy ball slowly disappears after a month or two\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAquario's own instruction: monitor pH and discontinue if it drops too low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Aquario","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52798406132024,"sku":"D-NEO PLUS","price":17.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0971\/3339\/6280\/files\/neo-bag-plus.jpg?v=1786596499"},{"product_id":"java-moss","title":"Java Moss","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sz-acc\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"sz-acc__title\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-java-moss\" checked\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eTaxiphyllum barbieri\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e South-East Asia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium, 3–10 cm deep\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight and CO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e low; no added CO2 needed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e tie or wedge onto wood or rock; no substrate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation:\u003c\/strong\u003e pull a clump apart and re-attach\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-java-moss\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJava Moss (\u003cem\u003eTaxiphyllum barbieri\u003c\/em\u003e) is the most forgiving moss in the hobby and the one most people start with. It comes from South-East Asia and is happy in almost any water and light. It has no true roots: instead it grips onto wood, rock or filter parts with tiny holdfasts, so it is never planted into gravel. Tie or wedge a thin layer against hardscape and within a few weeks it holds on by itself and starts to spread into a soft, irregular tangle 3–10 cm deep. Growth is medium paced, faster than the fancier mosses, and it copes with dim corners where nothing else grows. In a breeding tank it does two jobs at once. The tangle gives newly hatched shrimp and fish fry somewhere to hide, and it collects biofilm, the thin living film of bacteria and microscopic algae that shrimp graze on all day. Trim it with scissors when it gets thick; the loose bits will grow wherever they land.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-java-moss\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeeping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e unfussy about hardness, pH and ordinary tropical temperatures. It tolerates gentle flow and still water alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e spread a thin layer over wood or rock and hold it with cotton thread or a dab of aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate gel glue until it grips, which takes a few weeks. Avoid a thick wad; the inside shades out and browns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight and feeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e low light is enough and no added CO2 (carbon dioxide gas injected to speed plant growth) is needed. It takes its nutrients from the water, so a light dose of liquid fertiliser is all it asks. Trim regularly so the lower layer keeps its light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sz-acc__rule\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sz-acc__note\"\u003ePlants are sent as a portion or pot, trimmed for transit. Some leaves may melt as the plant adjusts; new growth follows. See our FAQ for planting and acclimation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Shrimp Zone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52845947978040,"sku":"PLACEHOLDER-java-moss","price":12.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"shrimp-staple-food","title":"Shrimp Staple Food","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA staple food is the everyday sinking food for a shrimp colony. Shrimp are grazers: they spend most of the day picking at biofilm, the thin slimy layer of bacteria, algae and fungi that grows on every surface in an aquarium. In a tank with a good biofilm layer, a prepared food is a top-up rather than the whole diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSinks to where shrimp feed and holds its shape while they graze\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGives a consistent everyday diet alongside natural biofilm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy to portion, so it is simple to see what has been eaten\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUsage \u0026amp; Instructions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed a small amount every one to two days rather than several times a day. A useful starting point is roughly one pellet for every five shrimp, then adjust to what is finished within a few hours. Follow the rate printed on the product label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRisk \u0026amp; Awareness\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverfeeding is the most common cause of trouble in a shrimp tank. Uneaten food breaks down into ammonia, which is toxic to shrimp, and surplus food also drives snail population booms. Remove anything uneaten after a few hours. Store food dry and sealed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shrimp Zone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52845949780280,"sku":"PLACEHOLDER-shrimp-staple-food","price":14.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"gh-and-kh-test-kit","title":"GH and KH Test Kit","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA GH and KH kit is a liquid drop test for the two hardness numbers. GH (general hardness) measures dissolved minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium, which shrimp use to build a new shell after moulting, the shedding of the old shell as they grow. KH (carbonate hardness) measures the water's buffering capacity, meaning its resistance to sudden pH swings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReads GH and KH separately, which a TDS meter cannot do\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrop-count method needs no colour chart to interpret\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShows whether tap water or remineralised water is where you want it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUsage \u0026amp; Instructions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShake each bottle, fill the tube to the marked line reading from the bottom of the curve in the water surface, then add drops one at a time while counting, swirling between drops, until the colour change described on the instructions holds. Hold the bottle fully upside down so drop size stays consistent. Rinse the tube afterwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRisk \u0026amp; Awareness\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReagents start to degrade once opened and have a use-by date, so replace old bottles rather than trust a doubtful reading. Do not tip tested water back into the tank. Keep reagents out of reach of children, away from heat and sunlight, and never swap caps between bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shrimp Zone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52845949911352,"sku":"PLACEHOLDER-gh-and-kh-test-kit","price":29.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/shrimpzone.com.au\/collections\/starter-kit.oembed","provider":"Shrimp Zone ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}