Raw Shrip Cycle?

fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
ok I am ready to start my cycle finally!!!!!! I want to go the raw shrimp route. What are the nessisary steps? How long should i leave the shrimp in the tank, or should i use more than two? any advice would be awsome. I've been posting for few months now and still have LOTS of Questions!!!!
 
puffer32

puffer32

Active Member
JUst use 1 for that size tank. Throw it in at astart of cycle, once you see an ammonia spike, take it out, its done its job. I swear by this method, never takes my tanks more then 2 weeks from start to finish
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
I just thought of this and i hope this does not affect any......i have about 20 lbs. of LR in my tank now before cycle. Does that change anything? will the cycle hurt the LR?
 
puffer32

puffer32

Active Member
1 is enough, thats what i used for my 75 and 150, both cycled in 12/15 days. My 15 gal cycled in 10 days. Use a large one, or 2 small ones. Its important to take them out as soon as you see a spike, leaving it in will cause high ammonia and take longer to turn go down.
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
ok I just tested my water peramiters and they are as follows:
ph:7.8
amonia:0.50
NitRates: 5.0
NitRites: 0.50
*****These are tests done before adding the shimp. I will be adding within the hour*****
Again I am unshure of my live rock. will the cycle kill or hurt it at all? also I understand i am looking for n amonia spike but what else should i watch for s time progresses?
 
puffer32

puffer32

Active Member
You don't need to add the shrimp, your ammonia is already spiked, I wouldn't add a thing, might spike your ammonia to high, and kill off your good hitchickers on your live rock. The shrimp was to help jump start your cycle, i guess your LR did the job instead, how long has it been set up? I recommend the shrimp for tanks just set up same day, helps jump start ammonia quicker, therefore a shorter cycle.
 
fgcu14

fgcu14

Member
so amonia is spiked already? I just put shrimp in 20 min ago. Should I pull them out?
Wht are ideal water peramiters?
 
puffer32

puffer32

Active Member
I would take it out, the idea of the shrimp is to get your ammonia to spike, but since it already has, its not neccesary to keep it in, something else, probably your LR spiked it already. your cycle has begun! Once the ammonia is 0 again, test trites, when they are 0 also, do a large water change to get trates down to at least 20. Don't do the water change till your readings are 0 ammo, 0 nitrites, your nitrates will probably be high, but a good water change will bring them down, and you can start with a cleanup crew.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top