Ammonia or shrimp?

JOKER · Apr 25, 2016

Cycling a new tank. Which will do the better job?

DED65 · Apr 25, 2016

I prefer ammonia. There is no stink, mess and doesn't need time to decompose. I bought a bottle from Ace for under $3.00 to cycle tanks and it's great for cleaning floors, can't do that with shrimp!

JackDE · Apr 25, 2016

I prefer ammonia. The thought of something rotting in my tank just doesn't seem right to me.

brandon429 · Apr 25, 2016

which type of rock are you using, frames your cycle approach 100%

if you are using dry rocks, liquid ammonia is best because you can make levels exactly 2-3 ppm and sustain. shrimps vary, and smell.

vic67 · Apr 25, 2016

I use shrimp. I grind them up so there's more surface area; they decompose faster then. I make dinner with the rest of the shrimp.

JOKER · Apr 26, 2016

The rock I am using is dry pukani from BRS. The rock has been through bleach bath, vinegar bath, and muriatic acid. It has been running in brutes with powerhead and heat for a while. When p04 got down to .03 in one of the cans I moved some to the sump of the new tank I am building with a deep sand bed section in one side, some marine pure blocks and a skimmer in the other side. I am running the return pump plumbed to both sides for flow.

Fate · Apr 26, 2016

Dr. Tims and a pair of clowns

JOKER · Apr 26, 2016

I would go that route but I haven't found the clowns I want and the tank isn't here yet so it will be put on line when it gets here. I know it will go through a mini cycle when start it up. I just want to get the sand critters and some cuc for now.

WilRams · Apr 26, 2016

Ammonia.

Crixus · Apr 26, 2016

I always use straight ammonia.

JOKER · Apr 27, 2016

I will be picking up some ammonia tomorrow hopefully.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 27, 2016

I used both way and I've now use shrimp/fish 100% of the time. If you smell something, you're using way too much.

JOKER · Apr 27, 2016

So why did you decide to go with the shrimp or fish? I have used the Dr. Tims and fish but never the shrimp or dead fish. I wanted to try something solid this go around.

webbrage · Apr 27, 2016

vic67 said:
I use shrimp. I grind them up so there's more surface area; they decompose faster then. I make dinner with the rest of the shrimp.

can't make dinner with ammonia

JOKER · Apr 27, 2016

Very true

Joeganja · Apr 27, 2016

JOKER said:
Cycling a new tank. Which will do the better job?

Use dr tims one and only for reef and small nano aquariums and then use seachem stability afterwards and dose continuum Bacter m. I've had my 25 gallon set up for 4 months now and no algae.

Berlibee · Apr 27, 2016

Ammonia.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 27, 2016

JOKER said:
So why did you decide to go with the shrimp or fish? I have used the Dr. Tims and fish but never the shrimp or dead fish. I wanted to try something solid this go around.

I actually didn't decide to do it, it's what everyone did 20 years ago (besides live fish). I more recently decided to try some bacteria products and the corresponding ammonia and wasn't impressed. I had two weird reactions from my fish where they were clearly irritated. I didn't see any improvement, so why bother, IMO. I've cycled over 100 tanks and this is what works for me.

Neptune1707 · Apr 27, 2016

I started a quarantine tank.....had a green chromis that was about to die in my office nano tank...took him home, hoping he would recover...but if not, works as a good bio filter starter.