Jump starting the first cycle with deli shrimp?

[audge27]

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]

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]

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.

[Fly Guy]

Or you could just in the tank..........

[b16drag]

I'm assuming you know from experience Fly Guy Technically it would work, but I'd hate to be in the same room as that tank!

[benzzz]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

Or you could just in the tank..........

LOL

[scoop]

Don't forget the nylon bag. The shrimp will start decomposing pretty quickly and make a mess in your tank.

[audge27]

LOL! okay...thanks!