PDA

View Full Version : Cycling tank with shrimp

sscat22
07/08/2011, 04:20 PM
Does it matter that the shrimp i bought are pre-cooked shrimp. Also how often should I replace the shrimp with a new one, I am going to my vacation house for a month and my dad will toping off my tank and throwing inn and taking out the shrimp for cycling.
aday2remmbr
07/08/2011, 04:21 PM
the point of the shrimp is for it to decompose to start the cycle, i dont think it will matter if its cooked.
sscat22
07/08/2011, 04:25 PM
ok, so how long should i keep it in the tank and then replace it with a new one
aday2remmbr
07/08/2011, 04:41 PM
it wont need replacing, just leave it in there. or another route would be to just feed the tank every now and then like you have fish in it.
Saadatski
07/08/2011, 04:54 PM
i cycled my tank with ammonium hydroxide

go to shoprite and buy PURE ammonia. put about 2 ml every two days and the cycle should start.
aday2remmbr
07/08/2011, 04:55 PM
i cycled my tank with ammonium hydroxide

go to shoprite and buy PURE ammonia. put about 2 ml every two days and the cycle should start.

shrimp is a much safer way to cycle an aquarium.
Agu
07/08/2011, 05:26 PM
Will you have live rock in the tank when it "cycles" ?
Saadatski
07/08/2011, 07:38 PM
of course, thats the point of the cycle
tecnomage
07/08/2011, 07:54 PM
of course, thats the point of the cycle

Best answer. Imho just toss 1 shrimp in, put the lights on a timer, have your dad do an top off every couple days and enjoy the month.
sscat22
07/08/2011, 09:19 PM
alright thanks
Benson0219
07/08/2011, 09:29 PM
I used (ammonium hydroxide) pure ammonia to cycle all my tanks. Much better than the shrimp plus you can control the amount of ammonia in the water... plus it won't smell up the whole house!!!!
jinks
07/08/2011, 09:36 PM
Scampi works best but in a pinch i also use Fried with that red sauce.
NoDoze
07/08/2011, 09:43 PM
Jinks - LOL thanks for the laugh....
shifty51008
07/08/2011, 10:25 PM
just pee in the tank. there is enough ammonia in there to start the cycle :D

and yes it does work, however I wouldn't do it but know ppl that have.
jinks
07/09/2011, 07:49 AM
That's amazing! I never thought of that. I know how im starting my next tank up.
snorvich
07/09/2011, 09:05 AM
Scampi works best but in a pinch i also use Fried with that red sauce.

Yum. I am now fully cycled!
snorvich
07/09/2011, 09:06 AM
just pee in the tank. there is enough ammonia in there to start the cycle :D

and yes it does work, however I wouldn't do it but know ppl that have.

That would be a great picture. I do not advocate doing so. Your significant other or parents might not like that.

:deadhorse1:
sscat22
07/09/2011, 10:19 AM
OK so since ppl are saying shrimp will smell my room up im going to use fish food. How many pellets should I put in? every day or what?
snorvich
07/09/2011, 11:30 AM
In your small tank, about 10, in your large tank, a "pinch". Does not require much.
sscat22
07/09/2011, 12:01 PM
10 pellets a day? and just leave them in there?
Saadatski
07/09/2011, 12:05 PM
i would still go with the ammonium hydroxide. really easy to add.

also, if you have all base rock you need to add the ammonia. if you are cycling live rock, the die off from your bacteria will allow the cycle to start itself.
Green Chromis
07/09/2011, 02:50 PM
If your using live rock to cycle the tank, why are you adding shrimp?
ReefPharmer
07/09/2011, 03:13 PM
when you are cycling, you can get one of those plastic angels that they sell for babies... stick it in the tank. It should float... When you look and see if floating, it will remind you what your fish will look like if you put them in too early. I did that and it kept me from jumping the gun and buying fish too early
snorvich
07/09/2011, 04:09 PM
when you are cycling, you can get one of those plastic angels that they sell for babies... stick it in the tank. It should float... When you look and see if floating, it will remind you what your fish will look like if you put them in too early. I did that and it kept me from jumping the gun and buying fish too early

:fun4:
sscat22
07/09/2011, 04:29 PM
I have LR and LS so can I just let that cycle and wile the bacteria feeds off of the plenty of dead stuff on the rock.
Agu
07/09/2011, 08:45 PM
of course, thats the point of the cycle

Then you don't need to add shrimp. ammonium hydroxide or urine. The die off from the live rock will cycle your tank.

It's OK to have your dad feed small pinches of flake food every day or two though. It feeds the hitch hikers and maintains the biological buffering potential of the tank.

I suggest the dead precooked shrimp is best served on a cracker to the aquarist and washed down with a nice Pinot Grigio.