If you are weighing uns rimless tank for shrimp vs waterbox tank for shrimp for blue dream shrimp, you are choosing between two rimless philosophies for the same hardy Neocaridina. In this comparison I put the UNS Ultra Clear Rimless Tank – 3.4GAL | 13L head to head with the Waterbox Tank for Shrimp to see which fits a Blue Dream colony better. One is a long and shallow desktop showcase, the other is known among keepers for more conventional proportions and system flexibility. You will find this guide in our Shrimp Tank + Lid + Light archive, updated for November 2026.
Blue Dream shrimp are Neocaridina, so they forgive beginner mistakes but still show best color and breeding when water stays stable and grazing surface stays large. That makes footprint, evaporation rate and ease of fitting a lid and light more important than brand name. A shallow long tank gives you a wide foraging lane and striking side view, while a taller box gives you more water buffer and planting height. Your choice comes down to desk space, colony goals and how much daily top off and glass cleaning you accept.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of our links, Shrimpyo may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never influence which products we recommend or how we rank them. Read our Affiliate Disclosure for details.
Quick Picks at a Glance
Ultum Nature Systems 45L Rimless Nano Aquarium 3.4
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
Pros
- Exceptional water clarity compared to standard glass tanks
- Long footprint offers more aquascaping creativity than nano cubes
- High quality construction with thick glass and clean silicone work
- Comes with leveling mat for added safety and stability
- Sleek rimless aesthetic ideal for display aquascapes
Cons
- Small 3.4 gallon capacity limits fish selection and requires frequent maintenance
- Open top design leads to evaporation and offers no jump protection without a separate lid
- Light, filter and accessories sold separately, so not a complete starter kit
The Ultum Nature Systems 45L is a 3.4 gallon long style rimless tank measuring 17.71 x 6.69 x 6.69 inches, built for nano aquascaping. It suits betta keepers, shrimp breeders and planted tank hobbyists who want a wide, shallow layout in a small footprint.
Its low iron glass delivers 91 percent clarity for true to life colors with almost no green tint. The long footprint gives more swimming length and aquascaping space than a standard cube, making it excellent for carpeting plants, driftwood layouts and schooling micro fish.
Build quality is a clear highlight thanks to 5mm thick glass, precise 45 degree mitered edges and German made silicone seams. The rimless, minimalist profile looks clean in any room, while the included leveling mat adds stability and helps protect the base from shifting.
The open top design means faster evaporation and no protection against jumping fish, so a separate lid is often needed. At 3.4 gallons, stocking is limited and water parameters can shift quickly, which makes it better for experienced nano keepers than complete beginners.
Overall, the UNS 45L offers premium clarity and craftsmanship in an ideal long nano format. If you want a high end canvas for a desktop aquascape or shrimp colony, this is one of the best small rimless options available.
Capacity: 3.4 gallons, 13 liters, Model 45L long tank for nano aquascaping.
Dimensions: 17.71 x 6.69 x 6.69 inches, 45 x 17 x 17 cm with 5mm low iron glass.
Construction: 45 degree mitered edges, German silicone bonding, rimless open top design.
Included: Precut leveling mat for support and slip resistance.
How They Compare
Footprint and Water Volume for Blue Dream Stability
The UNS Ultra Clear Rimless Tank – 3.4GAL | 13L measures 17.71×6.69×6.69 inches, which is 45x17x17 CM, and holds 3.4GAL or 13L with 5mm glass thickness. That long footprint creates a river style lane where Blue Dreams can graze side by side without crowding on top of each other. The Waterbox Tank for Shrimp, by contrast, is discussed by keepers as a deeper and often larger box shape, which keepers commonly report gives more total water and vertical scaping room. If your desk is narrow but long, the UNS shape tucks neatly against a wall.
For Blue Dreams, volume equals forgiveness. In 13L you will see parameters shift faster after feeding or a missed top off, so small and frequent water changes work better than large ones. A larger Waterbox style volume gives you slower swings and room to grow the colony without splitting it early. I like to pair either footprint with a dark active substrate, and our shrimp substrate setup ideas for breeding tank guide explains how depth and slope affect grazing in shallow versus tall tanks.
Glass Clarity and Color Viewing
Ultum Nature Systems builds this 45L model with low iron glass rated at 91 percent clarity and 45 degree mitered edges for an uninterrupted corner view. In person that means almost no green tint on the front pane and a true to life look for blue bodies and green moss. Waterbox also uses low iron style glass that keepers commonly report as very clear, though edge polishing and silicone color can make side by side photos look slightly different. Both beat standard float glass for showing subtle Blue Dream grades.
Clarity matters because Blue Dream color ranges from steel blue to deep velvet, and pale juveniles are easier to spot and select in neutral light. The shallow UNS height of 6.69 inches keeps every shrimp close to the front glass, which helps when you photograph or select breeders. A taller Waterbox gives you more front to back depth for layered hardscape, which can make blues pop against wood shadows but may require you to look harder for babies in the back. Choose based on whether you value panorama or depth.
Build Quality, Silicone and Leveling Support
The UNS Ultra Clear Rimless Tank – 3.4GAL | 13L uses 5mm glass with German made silicone rated for moisture and durability, and it ships with a leveling mat to add a non slip base. That mat matters on a long 17.71 inch tank, where a tiny twist on an uneven desk puts stress on seams. Waterbox tanks are generally described by keepers as solidly built with clean seams, though mat inclusion and packaging vary by model, so check what comes in the box. Neither tank includes filtration, heating or lighting.
Rimless tanks demand a flat stand and gentle maintenance. I wipe the mitered corners with a soft pad only, because harsh blades can nick silicone and fine scratches show fast on low iron glass. Evaporation is higher without a brace, so plan for regular top offs with remineralized RO to keep molting steady. If you are new to minerals, our GH/KH mineral guide walks through why stable hardness matters more for Neocaridina color than chasing perfect pH.
Lid Fit, Light Spread and Shrimplet Safety
At only 6.69 inches tall and 6.69 inches deep, the UNS shallow needs only modest light to reach the substrate, which helps moss, Anubias and low carpet plants that Blue Dreams love to pick through. The trade off is lid fit. Most ready made lids do not match a 45×17 CM rimless perfectly, so many keepers cut clear polycarbonate or order custom glass with a small feeding gap. A lid cuts evaporation and jumping, and you still need a sponge prefilter on any filter intake because newborn shrimplets drift everywhere.
Waterbox style tanks with more standard length to width ratios are often easier to cover with stock glass lids and clip on lights that keepers commonly report as convenient. Taller walls also give startled shrimp slightly less chance to exit, though no rimless is escape proof without a cover. Deeper water can shade the substrate, so you may need a wider light spread for carpets. Pair your choice with the right soil using our Fluval Stratum vs ADA Amazonia comparison before you plant.
Which One Should You Get
Choose UNS Ultra Clear Rimless Tank – 3.4GAL | 13L if you keep Blue Dream Neocaridina on a desk or shelf and want a wide, shallow aquascape with maximum front viewing. You get 13L of grazing lane, 91 percent clarity glass with mitered edges, and an included leveling mat that helps on apartment furniture. This is the higher-end pick for design lovers who do small water changes often, run a gentle sponge filter, and enjoy selecting for deep blue. It suits a starter colony that you plan to observe closely.
Choose Waterbox Tank for Shrimp if you want more water buffer, taller planting space, and easier sourcing of matching lids and lights for a growing colony. You trade the extra long panorama for more vertical room for wood, taller plants and a larger breeding population with slower parameter swings. This suits keepers who want a living room display, plan to add snails or a second Neocaridina color in a separate tank later, and prefer stock accessories over custom cut lids. It is the more flexible choice for busy schedules.
My Experience
I have kept Blue Dreams in the UNS Ultra Clear Rimless Tank – 3.4GAL | 13L on my office desk for a while, using the included leveling mat on a solid wood board. The 5mm glass felt rigid when I filled to 13L, the German made silicone lines stayed clean, and the 45 degree corners gave me a clear side view for spotting berried females. I topped off every two days and ran a small sponge filter, and grazing along the 45×17 CM lane kept color deep. My only con was lid hunting, I ended up with custom glass.
Who Should Skip Both
Both of these rimless options are not ideal for keepers who need a large, low maintenance colony tank with built in filtration and a locking lid. If you want a large breeder for hundreds of shrimp, a dedicated Caridina crystal setup with active cooling, or a kid proof kit that hides equipment, you should look at all in one tanks with rear chambers instead. Rimless glass also shows hard water spots fast, so very hard tap water keepers without RO may prefer a braced tank that hides the waterline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UNS 3.4 gallon long tank big enough to breed Blue Dream shrimp?
Yes, 13L is enough for a small Blue Dream starter colony if you feed lightly, change small amounts of water often, and use a sponge filter with a prefilter. Breeding will slow if the colony gets crowded, so plan to move juveniles as numbers grow. Keepers commonly report more stable breeding when they top off with remineralized RO and keep the tank covered.
Which shows Blue Dream blue color better, UNS or Waterbox?
The UNS Ultra Clear Rimless Tank – 3.4GAL | 13L has an edge for pure viewing with 91 percent clarity glass and 45 degree mitered edges that reduce green tint. Waterbox glass is also very clear, and deeper aquascapes can create stronger contrast behind blue shrimp. Your light choice and dark substrate affect color pop more than brand alone.
Do I need a lid and special light for these rimless shrimp tanks?
You do not need a branded light, but you do need a lid or cover to slow evaporation and stop jumpers in either rimless tank. The shallow UNS at 6.69 inches tall lights easily with a small full spectrum clip light, while taller Waterbox shapes may need wider spread for carpet plants. Add a sponge prefilter on any intake, because baby Blue Dreams will explore the whole 45x17x17 CM space.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!