since I am using dead rock instead of live rock in my tank I was told I can use some type of shrimp or just a source of ammonia to cycle my tank can someone give me the details of this?
Cycling tank with shrimp
- Thread starter saltwaterulz
- Start date
many ways to start a cycle, a shrimp, fish small, bit of live rock, live sand or something like mr reef recommended
Live Rock will do the job...I use a mixture of Live Rock and Live Sand to start mine off for a faster cycle.
slowhemi;3737668; said:
I would not recommend this method. Here is why:
If you like the fish, then you have to deal with the obvious fact that they may die or at least get really sick from the exposure to high ammonia/nitrite levels.
If you don't like the fish (i.e., these are "cycling fish," like damsels), then when you are done cycling and want to buy fish you actually like, you have to tear the rockwork apart, drain the tank (depending on size), and generally have a crappy time in order to get the "cycling fish" out of the tank.
Also, any non-quarantined fish has the potential of introducing parasites into the system (like ich) that would make for a horrible start to the fishkeeping hobby.
I think the method you've chosen (shrimp) is a good one. As mr. reef said, just keep monitoring those levels, and let us know if you have any questions.
I heartily agree! LOL my opinions come from my own experiences -- sometimes they're positive experiences, sometimes they're negative. Cycling with fish was a negative one for me, and for the reasons I explained above, a potentially negative one for anyone. I think there are easier, safer ways to cycle, and that using those methods, as opposed ot cycling with fish, will make for an easier introduction into the hobby. Often, what seems easier/faster ends up taking longer/being more difficult in the long run, especially in fishkeeping.