shrimp cycle question

terminallance · May 27, 2013

I have cycled tanks before using LR but have never done one with dry rock so it is new to me.

Currently I am using vida rock for my new build and it is a bb tank, so to cycle I decided to use microbacter7 and a piece of shrimp, I have done research but cant seem to find an answer on how long to leave the shrimp in there. I know that the bacteria needs a food source (the shrimp) but if I leave it in there too long wont it just continue to keep producing more and more ammonia spikes? Or will it cause the bacteria to multiply in a good way and create a more stable environment?

Also using this method am I going to get a diatom bloom outbreak or will that come after my first livestock is added. I guess my question is have others here used this method and if so how did they do it. Thanks in advance for any info.

Tank has been set 5 days now, temp has been stable at 80.1*f and Salinity at 1.026 haven't tested anything else since shrimp was only added yesterday. Also I have been adding 5ml of the Microbacter7 everyday.

Zoanut · May 27, 2013

What size tank and how much shrimp (Estimate in oz or grams)?

For refrence, ive done one table shrimp in a 50 gallon. Just tossed it in, let the big cycle get out of the way (3 or so weeks) and added some crabs to clean up whatever algae was growing by then.

terminallance · May 27, 2013

its a 17.4 gal and its a size 26-30 so like 1.5''

Zoanut · May 27, 2013

IME, the cycle looks the same as a fish/LR cycle. No difference as far as i can see other than its better on your livestock.

Id use half that shrimp, should be plenty to get the ball rolling but not too much.

fyrfytr · May 28, 2013

Doing the same, with about the same size shrimp. When do you take the shrimp out? I have 0 ammonia and nitrites, but nitrates are still high

Zoanut · May 28, 2013

Sounds like your cycle is about done. Nitrates are the end product, they will not go down like nitrite and ammonia. Not without help from something else (macro algae, carbon source & skimmer, water change, etc...).