Jump starting the first cycle with deli shrimp?

audge27 · 03-29-2008, 01:57 AM

So I was browsing another forum....and came across this:

If you are unsure if the tank cycled I wouldnt add any livestock for a few weeks. I would get some grocery store deli shrimp. Put it in a nylon and put it in the tank for a few weeks. This will kick the tank into a cycle for sure and than you can watch /monitor how your tank is gonna handle livestock waste.

Anyone else heard of this?...or think it's a good/bad idea?

I thought it might be a good alternative to the "adding the first fish and torturing it" route...

b16drag · 03-29-2008, 02:56 AM

Yup it works... Main point is to add some nitrate and junk to start the cycle. Fish, dead fish, dead shrimp, poop etc... you get the point.

hng · 03-29-2008, 04:17 AM

It's a common and humane way to get the "cycle" started, although I wouldn't leave the shrimp in there for weeks. Another method is to just simply add a few pieces of live rock to the tank. You should avoid cycling with live fish if at all possible.