cycling

[jonathansruelas]

ok to get this done right, to cycle the tank I must have skimmer, flow, and everything running for a month, while in the beggining adding shrimp to create the amonia spike, then after month is complete i can add fish right... Is this correct or am i missing something?

question= how much shrimp do i put in a 130 gallon to get the amonia spike?

[PRDubois]

two shrimp in a nylon stocking will do. Stocking will let you remove the shripm easily when you see the top of the amonia spike. You do not need the skimmer or lights, but skimmer does not hurt.

[BIG_KAHUNA]

just one edible grade cooked shrimp. put it in some pantyhose and let her rot. looking for a healthy ammonia spike and you're all set. I mean I'm sure you could use as much as you want but one should do it.

[AaronM]

I reckon skimmer, chem and bio removal, and light schedule, i.e all guns blazing, is most important when cycling with LR replete with layers of life.

If using good LR, then i'm not sure you need shrimp, as there will be sufficient die off from transportation/ relocation. If dead rock, then i reckon shrimp to kick start cycle is a good idea.

[jonathansruelas]

whats a pantyhose?

ok so if i have alot of dead sand and a few dead rock will it be ok to use as the amonia spike or should i just use shrimp..? my only question with that is will it take longer to cycle since i won't be taking out the sand and rock once i put in tank unlike i will for the shrimp....

[Sugar Magnolia]

You really don't NEED to add a shrimp, but the decaying shrimp will cause an ammonia increase. As far as waiting a month, then adding fish. No can do.The only way to tell if you are cycling, and when the cycle is complete is to buy some test kits and test your water every few days. Cycling can take up to 6-8 weeks, depending on the rock used.

You'll need test kits for: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Ammonia will rise first, then nitrite will rise. When ammonia and nitrite reach zero, you'll have high nitrates. Do a 20% water change. Ideally, nitrates should be less that 20ppm before adding any livestock.

[jonathansruelas]

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

You really don't NEED to add a shrimp, but the decaying shrimp will cause an ammonia increase. As far as waiting a month, then adding fish. No can do.The only way to tell if you are cycling, and when the cycle is complete is to buy some test kits and test your water every few days. Cycling can take up to 6-8 weeks, depending on the rock used.

You'll need test kits for: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Ammonia will rise first, then nitrite will rise. When ammonia and nitrite reach zero, you'll have high nitrates. Do a 20% water change. Ideally, nitrates should be less that 20ppm before adding any livestock.

ok so what if I use all three (dead sand, uncured rock, 1 shrimp), would that be good?
and at what ppm does the ammonia need to be to know that the spike has occured?

[sporto0]

No lights & no skimmer, if you run a skimmer it is going to remove the very stuff you want to cause an ammonia spike, after the cycle is complete a skimmer is one of your best friends. It won't hurt to have the lights on, but it will help Cyano Bacteria to appear early. Lastly, as soon as you can detect ammonia in any amount, your cycle has begun.

[jonathansruelas]

Originally Posted by sporto0

No lights & no skimmer, if you run a skimmer it is going to remove the very stuff you want to cause an ammonia spike, after the cycle is complete a skimmer is one of your best friends. It won't hurt to have the lights on, but it will help Cyano Bacteria to appear early. Lastly, as soon as you can detect ammonia in any amount, your cycle has begun.

ok i will not leave skimmer on until i see nitrites and ammonia at 0ppm.. ok thanks I guess I will do the dead sand, rock and shrimp so I can build alot of beneficial bacteria to fight off the waste my fishes will produce

[jonathansruelas]

thanks everyone