feeding the cycle with shrimp

[Lucky Lefty]

So I'm on my way home and I had my wife pick up one, yes only one, raw shrimp from the deli today and I'm going to put in my tank as soon as I get home.

She said its a full shrimp such as no skin peeled off or anything... Should I just drop it in as is? Should I rinse it in a small bowl with some of my saltwater?

Also I've been trying to get an answer as to whether or not restricting my overflow returns is harming my cycle being that they are my only source of flow right now. How important is flow during cycle? I have a small pump that is a work horse that I was going to use in my saltwater bins to mix the salt water. I was going to drop it in my display thanks just to get the flow moving but there's no way to secure it as it doesn't have any kind of suction cup or anything any ideas how to get that in my tank and not slam around the glass

Thanks in advance for the help and I apologize for any typos as I'm using voice to text while I'm driving

[snorvich]

Put it in a nylon stocking (which is bound to keep it inside). You will be happy you did when it comes time to remove it. (I would rinse it first, but that is all).

[bnumair]

Very good advice above.

[Lucky Lefty]

Got it! Thanks for the reply!

[scott3569]

Well lets see for your first question on the shrimp, yes you could rinse it off if you like(I Don't think you need to) most people wil not just drop it in, instead steel one of your wifes nylon stockings put it in that and then in the tank(tie a knot) this makes it easy to get out after it rots..

for your flow, I am not to sure how important your flow is for you cycle, I would at least get a power head in there to give you flow, I don't think I would restrict your returns any more than you have to...make sure your tank and I assume your sump is set up as if you had fish in it or live stock..And then be peitent..I tested my water for a base reading before adding the ammonia source. After that you may see some nitrates you may not..it may take a little while for your ammonia to go up and then come down, once it comes down, if you want you can add another shrimp, and take the old one out, this way your wife losses both stockings and not just one..the your nitrites may take time to come down, the bacteria has to build up for each process, I tested everyday at the same time of day..I don't think you have to, but at least every otherday

[Lucky Lefty]

Just wondering, is it a bad idea to put in the shrimp if my tanks flow is not optimal. I can see stuff blowing around on the bottom of the rock so I know it's moving a bit, just no where near as much as with the valves at full bore.

Just trying to do the right thing here.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Lucky Lefty

Just wondering, is it a bad idea to put in the shrimp if my tanks flow is not optimal. I can see stuff blowing around on the bottom of the rock so I know it's moving a bit, just no where near as much as with the valves at full bore.

Just trying to do the right thing here.

Not relevant to cycling. Depending on what you plan to keep, flow may become relevant.

[Lucky Lefty]

Scott, thanks a lot. Already have the wife digging for stockings.

I've restricted the returns to match the drain flow to cut back on the noise. The drain pipe was clicking loudly because the returns were jamming water down their throat. Dialed it back to where the clicking stopped and kept it there, but I must says it's cut my returns flow by about 50% atleast.

I'm trying to figure out a way to secure my little power head, because that thing will bounce around like a pinball if I put it in there. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Lucky Lefty]

Snorvich,

Sounds awesome man.. I love hearing the answers I'm hoping for. Much appreciated!

[TigeBell]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Put it in a nylon stocking (which is bound to keep it inside). You will be happy you did when it comes time to remove it. (I would rinse it first, but that is all).

not to mention the smell that comes from that stocking.

[scott3569]

Im no expert such as steve, But I am learning

[Lucky Lefty]

My wife says this is our first pet. Meet our dead shrimp, his name is Bodybag. Tested my levels before adding.
Ph 8.4
Ammonia .25
Nitrite .1
Nitrate was low to high (?) 2.5 - 12.5

First time seeing some nitrates! Pretty excited about that. Guess my cycle is indeed moving along. Hoping that this is good timing with the shrimp.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lucky lefty

my wife says this is our first pet. Meet our dead shrimp, his name is bodybag.

rotflmao

[Lucky Lefty]

So I just put a flashlight on Bodybag just for S&G's and noticed all kinds of super tiny white critters crawling all over the nylon stocking. SWEEEET! I'm assuming that's my bacteria feasting.

Dumb question, they can get in the stocking right? I was tempted to grab some scissors and cut it open a bit.. But figured that defeats the whole purpose of the stocking.

Pumped to see life in my tank of any form.

[snorvich]

The dead and decaying shrimp is producing ammonia which is effectively what your fish will produce after eating. The ammonia causes the creation of bacteria which will change it to nitrite, and the nitrite will cause the creation of bacteria which will change the nitrite to nitrate. Bodybag is just doing his thing.

[frogdog]

Lucky Lefty, when your tank is done cycling, I suggest you do not give the stocking back to your wife.

[Lucky Lefty]

So the super tiny white things are bacteria, right? They don't actually eat the shrimp, but rather feed on or are created from the ammonia created by the decaying shrimp?

Whatever is going on, I love it.

Frogdog, I just wanna see her try on the pair I just cut the foot off of.. That would be too funny. I'd have to say something clever like "shrimp got your foot?"

Steve, is there a specific level of ammonia I should watch or aim for to begin changing to nitrite. At what level is considered out of control for either ammonia or nitrite? I was trying to research that but couldn't really find a common answer or reading.

Thanks.

[SwampyBill]

There's no set number that ammonia then nitrite will spike at then disappear to near 0.

[scott3569]

No I don't think what your seeing is bacteria, you would not be able to see bacteria with the naked eye..if you put live rock in there it very well could be from that..I am not sure on this but maybe pods

[scott3569]

when your ammonia reaches 0 goose egg, zero, then it may take a few days, a week, for your nitrites to come down. there will even be a period when you have ammonia and nitrites, and nitrates..don't do a water change at all, just let ammonia and nitrites go to 0

[Lucky Lefty]

I'm actually hoping the cycle drags out a bit as I really want to add more live rock before the cycle ends.

I'm curious to know what those things crawling around were. I wonder.

[frogdog]

Lucky Lefty, with all due respect to Scott3569, some people think you *should* do water changes during your cycle, and lots of them. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...wbie/index.php

Originally Posted by Lucky Lefty

Whatever is going on, I love it.

Frogdog, I just wanna see her try on the pair I just cut the foot off of.. That would be too funny. I'd have to say something clever like "shrimp got your foot?"
Thanks.

Lucky Lefty, I think you are my new best friend. Right after Snorvich. You should become a "premium" member here so you can have a blog and tell us all about your reef adventure in great detail.

[scott3569]

if you are going to add more live rock you need to add it..and you can drag out the cycle as long as you want just keep replacing the shrimp, an at some point you would have to add more shrimp to get an ammonia spike..

they may very well be pods but im not sure I know I got pods right at the end of my nitrogen cycle..but you just started

[scott3569]

Originally Posted by frogdog

Lucky Lefty, with all due respect to Scott3569, some people think you *should* do water changes during your cycle, and lots of them. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...wbie/index.php



Lucky Lefty, I think you are my new best friend. Right after Snorvich. You should become a "premium" member here so you can have a blog and tell us all about your reef adventure in great detail.

I have always seen don't do water changes during you cycle..if I am wrong cool..I am still learning

[MinnFish]

Originally Posted by scott3569

if you are going to add more live rock you need to add it..and you can drag out the cycle as long as you want just keep replacing the shrimp, an at some point you would have to add more shrimp to get an ammonia spike..

they may very well be pods but im not sure I know I got pods right at the end of my nitrogen cycle..but you just started

You don't have to keep adding rotten shrimp. You can ghost feed or use pure ammonia to maintain some sort of ammonia. I don't know about you, but 1 time is enough for the wife. Unless you added pods, they were always there. Maybe not in great numbers to notice.