cycling tank with shrimp

[fishmike888]

somebody on here mentioned that a good way to cycle a tank is with shrimp. i was just wondering if they meant dead shrimp or live ones? should i go buy a specific kind of shrimp? i don't wanna put anything in until i'm sure.

[mikeatjac]

Go to the store and buy a dozen fresh shrimp. Clean one and throw it in the tank. Cook the rest for dinner and you have had a productive day.

[Dubbin1]

If you have liverock in the tank then there is no reason to add anything to start a cycle.

[fakename]

Die off on your live rock will be more than enough to produce a cycle......IMO throwing a dead shrimp in the tank is a waste of a delicious shrimp ;)

[fishmike888]

no i don't have any live rock yet and i didn't plan to purchase any until i buy my skimmer. do you think it would be alright to cure live rock in a tank without a skimmer?

[bertoni]

You can do that, but a skimmer might save a lot of life on the rock. I'd wait, but it's a personal choice.

Even with a bio-ball filter, etc, I think a dead shrimp is way overkill for cycling a tank. A bit of fish food is the most I'd use.

[fishmike888]

well i got some live sand with bacteria in it, is that good enough?

[bertoni]

Yes, IMO.

[fishmike888]

alright thanks