cycling: shrimp or damsels???

[ccrljmr]

i just got my tank up and running and i want to jumpstart the cycle. If I use raw shrimp, how many should i use for a 29 gal and also how long should i leave them in?
or, should i just use damsel(s)? is one way more effective than the other? Will the fish survive till the cycle is complete? Any advice would be appreciated

 

[viper_930]

I say go with 1 or 2 raw shrimp. Just dump it in, no need to take it out.
Do not use damsels. They may live, but it is still very inhumane on the fish to go through a cycle.

 

[lefty]

^What he said.
-lefty

 

[francis]

what do you mean bey raw shrimp? live shrimp?

 

[lefty]

Cocktail shrimp from the grocery store is what's being referred to.
-lefty

 

[snipe]

Shrimp is 10X better than damsles!
Just buy uncooked unseasoned cocktail shrimp you eat. Skinn it "take off the shell" and place in the tank.

 

[ccrljmr]

what about live rock and shrimp? should live rock be cured or uncured when cycling

 

[alohami]

You can use either one since you are cycling. I used uncured, but it didn't kick out enough ammonia to cycle, so use the shrimp along with the rock to make sure you get a good cycle going.

 

[salty_0ne]

I am new to this but I know that everyone suggest the use of shrimp beacause a cycle is rough on fish. I also heard that if the fish do live and you dont want them it just leaves another task for you. Very best of luck in your new found hobby!

 

[francis]

How long should i let the shrimp in the tank or when should i know that i should take out the shrimp out of the tank?
how does the shrimp help? i've cycled my tank for more than a month without any of it. Just live rock & live sand. Thanks!

 

[trigger78]

Go get three Jumbo frozen shrimp from the grocery. Test the ammonia before you add and then test it each day to see if your levels are rising. I put two into a ten gal QT and the ammonia level was off the chart after like 4 days. I then removed the shrimp and waited for the cycle to complete.

 

[snipe]

I agree on letting it spike off the charts and takeing them out. If it dont spike off the chart them leave them in. As for 3 I think that may be over kill. I used 4 in my 55 and it was alot and I used 2 in a 10 and it was alot to.