cycling new tank

[sergifed91]

I just started the cyling process.
specs:
rodi water
60 gallon tank.
filter.
40 pounds of dry rock. (Natural Coral aquarium base rock)
2 heaters. finally able to stabilize the temp.
location is in basement.
some light but that's mainly just from the TV.
I have a garbage can liner setup over the window to prevent sunlight to enter the room.

I have 1 shrimp in a mesh bag. still not reading any ammonia yet but would you recommend me using 2 mesh bags with a piece of shrimp in each bag or just take the shrimp out of the mesh bag and throw it on the sand in the tank. I'm on day 3 of the cycling. just trying to be patient. I know with dry rock it will take longer to cycle the tank.

 

[hijinks7]

Just keep the shrimp in there for 7-10 days. You very well could miss the spike. Sometimes it happens so quick. Once you start measure nitrates with no ammonia then you know you have cycled.

 

[Nickcdll]

How big is the piece of shrimp, and just curious...but do you have it in a mesh bag so it's easy to remove?

 

[sergifed91]

How big is the piece of shrimp, and just curious...but do you have it in a mesh bag so it's easy to remove?

it's a half of piece. half inch long. I might go and put a whole piece in and see what I get in the next day or 2. it is in a mesh bag.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

You could also just add ammonia instead of waiting for the fish to decay. If you haven't added any bacteria, it will take longer for the process to play out.

 

[Nickcdll]

when you say ammonia do you mean just clear ammonia, from like walmart or something?

 

[NinnJinn]

You can do that. But make sure there's no additives and that it is straight pure ammonia

 

[NinnJinn]

If you cannot find it in the pure form you can always order some ammonium chloride

 

[Jeff_Toronto]

If you cannot find it in the pure form you can always order some ammonium chloride

I've cycled all tanks with ammonia. I picked up pure ammonia called old country at local hardware store for 5 bucks for a litre of the stuff.

If unsure if pure ammonia just shake it. If bubbles and foams then don't use ithereise good to go.

I also use it to feed my empty qt tank to keep cycled.

Works great for me