Mama T's Aquatics/ Freshwater Invertebrates, Fish & Plants

Mama T's Aquatics

Welcome! I am excited you came to visit. Sign up for new announcements, products and services. Share the link with friends!

Welcome to Mama T's Aquatics

I have been established since 2021 in running tanks. I specialize in small-batch, high-quality colonies. This ensures that every shrimp and snail gets individual care before they head to your home. I will be adding more as I get more established with the online store. Email me with any questions. One thing I ask is you have an established aquarium, if you have not let your tank complete the nitrogen cycle your aquatic animals have the chance of not surviving. Mama T’s Advice for Success: One thing I ask is that you have a fully established aquarium. If your tank hasn't completed the Nitrogen Cycle, your new aquatic friends may not survive.

My Secret Tip: To speed up your cycle, I recommend using a high-quality bottled bacterium (like FritzZyme TurboStart 700 or Fluval Biological Cycle Booster). Once you have cycled your tank for about a week then order your aquatic friends to add to your tank.

Shop now

Frequently Asked Questions

Rock Wool or Foam: This is the primary growing medium surrounding the roots. It is typically a fibrous, gray/white material.
Action: You must remove this completely before planting! Carefully pull it away from the roots, as leaving it can stunt growth and trap detritus.
Fertilizer Balls (Sometimes Present): Small, yellow or blue resin pellets containing fertilizer may be embedded in the rock wool.
Action: Remove and discard these pellets completely, as they can cause sudden nutrient spikes if accidentally exposed.
Multiple Stems: A 2-inch pot typically contains 3 to 6 individual, healthy stems with established roots.
This information is suggested from www.aquariumcoop.com

7.6 I use a 3-stage filtration system to take out chlorine and other metals, but still able to keep minerals for the fish. I do not use RO water at this moment.

Yes, shrimp and snails are great additions to any aquarium. They provide natural cleaning and algae control while also adding to the overall biodiversity of your tank. However, it's essential to choose species that are compatible with your existing fish and have similar water requirements.

Our products are manufactured both locally and globally. We carefully select our manufacturing partners to ensure our products are high quality and a fair value.

Shipping is calculated based on your location and the items in your order. You will always know the shipping price before you purchase.

We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order is shipped, you will receive an email tracking link. Delivery times vary depending on your location.

Please Note: Because I ship from Northern Illinois, our aquatic friends start their journey in the cold. We use 40-hour heat packs to keep them warm, but these packs are like a small battery—they only have 40 hours of life. If you live on the coast and choose standard shipping, it can take 72+ hours to arrive. This means the "blanket" runs out of heat before your package arrives! Please select UPS 1-Day or 2-Day Shipping at checkout to keep your new friends cozy and safe.

⚠️ WINTER SHIPPING: Please Read!

Cold Weather Protection

If your temps are below 40°F, we ship via [Priority/UPS] to ensure the safety of your animals before the heat pack expires.

Safety Level Transit Time States Included Winter Requirement🟢 SAFE ZONE 1 - 2 Days IL, IA, WI, MO, IN, MN, MI Standard Priority + Heat Pack is usually safe.🟡 CAUTION ZONE 2 - 3 Days OH, KY, NE, KS, ND, SD, TN, AR Mandatory Heat Pack. We only ship these on Mondays.🔴 HIGH RISK 3 - 4+ Days The Coasts: CA, WA, OR, NY, FL, ME, TX, etc.UPS 2-Day Air Highly Recommended. USPS is too slow for 40-hr heat packs.

"If you live in the Green (Midwest), Standard Shipping is safe!"

"If you live in the Red or Blue (Coasts), please upgrade to 2-Day Air."

ACCLIMATION

DO NOT FLOAT IN BREATHER BAG! Let them set at least in room temperature to get acclimated and warmed up from shipping, then get a bucket or tub to drip acclimate them to your water. This will ensure their survival.

Mama T's Live Arrival Shipping Schedule

Monday & Tuesday: All Live Animals and Plant orders ship out.
Tuesday at 10:00 AM CST: Weekly Shipping Cutoff. Orders placed after this time will be held until the following Monday. This ensures your animals aren't sitting in a cold warehouse over the weekend.
Wednesday – Sunday: No live shipments. We spend this time prepping your orders, fasting the fish (to keep their water clean in the bag), and monitoring the weather.
Emerald Green Snail Food: Ships Monday through Friday via Standard Mail.

Note on Weather Delays: If temperatures in Sterling, IL or your delivery zip code are below 35°F, we may hold your order for a few days until it is safe to ship. We will always email you if your "departure date" changes!

Shop now