How to use the shrimp method?

[pepito113]

I am setting up a new tank. Its a 65g tank with 76lbs of live rock and live sand. How do I use the shrimp method for cycling? 1) How many shrimp should I use? 2) Are the ones from the supermarket ok? 3) Do I put the whole shrimp with skin and head in and where? 4) How long do I leave it for? 5) do I do water changes when the levels go up? I have normally used fish flakes and just waited. But have been told the shrimp method is better.

 

[cranberry]

What is the status of your LR? Cycled? Not? From a friends tank down the road? Shipped across several states? Bought at the LFS? Base rock?

 

[pepito113]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3257477
What is the status of your LR? Cycled? Not? From a friends tank down the road? Shipped across several states? Bought at the LFS? Base rock?

The rock was removed from a saltwater tank and placed in a bin with saltwater for about 3 weeks. He did full water changes every few days. no filter, heater or pump was used while in the bin. What worries me is that he would do complete water changes every few days. So i am not sure how much bacteria is on the rock.

 

[florida joe]

Start with two shrimp and monitor for ammonia and nitrates

 

[thomas712]

Any uncooked shrimp from the local meat market will do, 1 or 2 is fine depending on size. In my case I used a large prawn when cycling my 90 gallon with new sand and new base rock.
Thomas

 

[pepito113]

Ok. got it. And when Do i pull out the shrimp? I know the amonia will spike then go down, the nitrite will spike then come down, and when i see nitrate is that when i pull out the shrimp and do water changes?

 

[pepito113]

Originally Posted by pepito113
http:///forum/post/3257498
Ok. got it. And when Do i pull out the shrimp? I know the amonia will spike then go down, the nitrite will spike then come down, and when i see nitrate is that when i pull out the shrimp and do water changes?
anyone???

 

[thomas712]

Well I re-read this thread, and I really don't see why you need to cycle with a shrimp anyway, not with 76 pounds of live rock and live sand. That is all you really need. With that you should not have to induce a full blown cycle. Mostly the shrimp method is used when starting a tank with dead sand and base rock. Just place your live rock and live sand in and monitor the cycle for 3-5 weeks for a normal cycle, but yours may be reduced or minor with what you are starting out with.
But still to answer your question, pull the shrimp out when the NitrItes are near 0 or maybe they have disolved by then.
Water changes may be done when the nitrItes spike.
Thomas