Question

[OceanDude]

So I just added live rock to my tank and have been advised to put in a table shrimp to spike ammonia. Now, do I let it decompose fully? Or what? I'm new and need help!

 

[mike007]

You need to put in a net or something to keep it from going all over your tank. You will need to test your ammonia level and when it spikes then I would remove.This will take several days.

 

[ks_reeftank]

Put shrimp in a mesh baggie or in a net so it is suspended in the water. Not sure on exact time to take it out. I think once u see ammonia its done its job. The baggie or net cuts down on mess

 

[ks_reeftank]

Haha. U beat me while I was typing. Lol

 

[Whys Alives]

A shrimp isn't necessary. You started your cycle the moment you added live rock and if you give it a couple weeks, you could probably just add a live shrimp instead, then build your cycle up from there, one critter at a time.

Alternatively, some people like to use pure ammonia drops, but the truth is, you can use any organic matter you want. Usually I just let the liverock and livesand do the truck, but if I want a hard cycle, I like to use flake food.

 

[VicD81]

A shrimp isn't necessary. You started your cycle the moment you added live rock and if you give it a couple weeks, you could probably just add a live shrimp instead, then build your cycle up from there, one critter at a time.

Alternatively, some people like to use pure ammonia drops, but the truth is, you can use any organic matter you want. Usually I just let the liverock and livesand do the truck, but if I want a hard cycle, I like to use flake food.

+1

If it was actual "WET" live rock it will start the cycle on its own. No need to add anything. I watched my tank cycle in a month without adding anything but live rock n live sand!