starting over - cycle w/dead shrimp?

cfritz8770 · Nov 3, 2003

I've lost enough fish at this point - I'm emptying the tank and starting over ---
I'm buying r/o water, I have plain sand & crushed shells as a base and no lr. I want a fish only tank so to start the cycling process do I -
a - add lr(?)
b - use the shrimp - (i hadn't heard of this method until this board)
c - last resort - damsels
thanks for all input!!!

thomas712 · Nov 3, 2003

I say cycle with the raw shrimp.
If you add LR then you will be switching to a fowler, which most fish would be much more comfortable with. Imagine living in a room with no furnature. Live rock would make them feel much more at home, a place to hide and they would be less stressed out.
Damsels? Well if you like those fish then you could certainly use them, many folks and LFS do and have used them in the past. The worst that could happen here is that they would die and maybe leave some ick behind.
Just a few thoughts
Thomas

cfritz8770 · Nov 3, 2003

thanks --
I've seen conflicting info on lr, can I just use the normal lighting (you know the kind that comes w/aquarium standard) or do I need special (money issue why I choose fish only)
I plan on having lava rock, ornamentals etc for fish to hide once all is said & done.
thanks again - this forum is the greatest for info!!!

beaslbob · Nov 3, 2003

Originally posted by cfritz8770
I've lost enough fish at this point - I'm emptying the tank and starting over ---
I'm buying r/o water, I have plain sand & crushed shells as a base and no lr. I want a fish only tank so to start the cycling process do I -
a - add lr(?)
b - use the shrimp - (i hadn't heard of this method until this board)
c - last resort - damsels
thanks for all input!!!
I wouldn't start all over but you can if you want.
LR is optional.
I would first establish a good thriving plant growth (macros or marine plants) then do the rest.
Second I do not recommend ro or any other processed water. The lack of buffering can and probably will cause ph problems.
The dead shrimp will cloud and smell up your tank. I do not like for that reason plus dead anything does not provide the same bioload as live fish.
I would let the system run in it's final no fish configuration for at least three weeks. That will allow not only things to stabilize but for any fish born parasites (ICH) to die off from lack of a host fish.
For cycling I would use a single (for a 29g) plain old male molly. Mollies are much hardier than any salt water only fish.
And again, no reason to start over. You system now has built up bateria which is benificial and will have to be reestablished. Besides, all the above can be done with your existing system.

cfritz8770 · Nov 3, 2003

Thanks beaslbob - the reason for starting over is I'm concerned that there may be a dangerous chemical in water and even changing 25% hadn't fixed the problem - so I want to start fresh.

beaslbob · Nov 3, 2003

Originally posted by cfritz8770
Thanks beaslbob - the reason for starting over is I'm concerned that there may be a dangerous chemical in water and even changing 25% hadn't fixed the problem - so I want to start fresh.
Understand. Just establish the plant life first and I think you will be ok.

doodle1800 · Nov 3, 2003

You can use uncured LR to start your cycle. I wouldn't use damsels unless you plan on keeping them if they survive. Damsels are bully's in some cases and you''ll want them out of there. If money is an issue buy what you can for now and add more later.

shine~on · Nov 4, 2003

What about green chromis? Could these be used? Are they as hardy as damsels?

nacl-man · Nov 4, 2003

IMO I would use LR to kickstart your cycle... you do not need special lighting to keep LR but stronger lighting will encourage coraline and other nice things to grow.
Dead shrimp can also be used, you just need something to stimulate the ammonia/trite/trate cycle and a decaying piece of shrimp will do just that.
I noticed you mentioned something about Lava rock... I would strongly urge you to consider another alternative, Lava rock can leech unwanted elements into your tank and cause problems down the road. If you don't want to shell out the $$$ for LR (which I don't blame you the stuff is insanely expensive) try to get base rock... or you can even make your own (someone else can elaborate here i'm not familiar w/ the process).
Cycling w/ live animals is NOT neccessary and will cause undue stress on the fish during the cycling process.
HTH.

reefnut · Nov 4, 2003

Originally posted by beaslbob
I wouldn't start all over but you can if you want.
LR is optional.
I would first establish a good thriving plant growth (macros or marine plants) then do the rest.
Second I do not recommend ro or any other processed water. The lack of buffering can and probably will cause ph problems.
The dead shrimp will cloud and smell up your tank. I do not like for that reason plus dead anything does not provide the same bioload as live fish.
I would let the system run in it's final no fish configuration for at least three weeks. That will allow not only things to stabilize but for any fish born parasites (ICH) to die off from lack of a host fish.
For cycling I would use a single (for a 29g) plain old male molly. Mollies are much hardier than any salt water only fish.
And again, no reason to start over. You system now has built up bateria which is benificial and will have to be reestablished. Besides, all the above can be done with your existing system.
Please do not give this advice any credibility. Bob has his own ways and I think you would be much happier with a healthier tank if you took the other advice given and ignore Bob’s.

cfritz8770 · Nov 4, 2003

thanks all...I've learned to take all advice with a grain of salt.
I think I have a game plan and I again thank everyone for their help -- hopefully in about a month I can post happier news!!!

beaslbob · Nov 4, 2003

Originally posted by cfritz8770
thanks all...I've learned to take all advice with a grain of salt.
wise man
I think I have a game plan and I again thank everyone for their help -- hopefully in about a month I can post happier news!!!
You are welcome and please return and let us know how it went

marine fanatic · Nov 4, 2003

Not sure why anyone bags on Bob's help. I have never seen any "etched in stone" way of doing anything in this hobby. Sure, alot of it has to do with preference but what 1 person's way of doing things is not always wrong, just different....if it works how can it be wrong?
Bob, I did what you said about your reply to my Shaving Brush thread and it seems to be working very well...thanx for your help on that subject

blah, n/m

dreeves · Nov 4, 2003

Did I miss the part as to how your fish were dying? What did they do before they died? What were the water perameters? How were the fish acclimated? What kind of fish were they?
Did I miss all of this stuff somewhere?

beaslbob · Nov 5, 2003

Originally posted by Marine Fanatic
..
Bob, I did what you said about your reply to my Shaving Brush thread and it seems to be working very well...thanx for your help on that subject
blah, n/m
Awwwww shuckie darn

thanks and nice to meet another person who actually enjoys plants in the system.
Couldn't find the shaving brush thread so now if i could just remember what I said LOL. I presume you added plants and are having a very nice system.
Perhaps you are one of those seriously talented rare individuals. Or perhaps it just works

beaslbob · Nov 5, 2003

Originally posted by Kipass4130
wow... the plant man has a sidekick!

Actually more than one

dacia · Nov 5, 2003

Plants can look very nice in a reef system, as long as you DO NOT OVERDO IT like some people around here who shall remain anonymous.

I don't care much for lagoons in my house...

marine fanatic · Nov 5, 2003

Originally posted by Kipass4130
wow... the plant man has a sidekick!
hehe.....I'd give you credit for a good one but I caught myself wondering how long it took you to think that up

All in good fun...

marine fanatic · Nov 5, 2003

Originally posted by Dacia
Plants can look very nice in a reef system, as long as you DO NOT OVERDO IT like some people around here who shall remain anonymous. I don't care much for lagoons in my house...

I have little doubt you are correct. All I added was 3 shaving brush plants in my 180 for some decor in an area that was a tad barren in the front. They seem to be doing well under a good current and decent lighting.

nacl-man · Nov 5, 2003

Originally posted by Kipass4130
wow... the plant man has a sidekick!
lol!
I left for a month or so. Glad to see bob has stuck around even with all the 'plant-bashing'!

starting over - cycle w/dead shrimp?

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