Cycling An Aquarium with a Raw Shrimp?

Has anyone ever cyled their freshwater aquarium using a raw shrimp? I just set up my 15 gallon freshwater tank and did some research on various methods of how to do a cycle.....using a live fish... doing a fishless cycle with pure ammonia...a fishless cycle using fishfood and doing a fishless cycle using a medium size raw shrimp. I chose to try the raw shrimp method. What I have read is that this is the easiest way to cycle with no water changes to worry about and with a quick buildup of ammonia.

However, I was wondering how long the shrimp should stay in the tank? Can anyone offer more detailed suggestions on how to do this type of cycling? Perhaps offer some pros and cons on cycling with raw shrimp? How much of a water change should be done after the cycle is complete?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on February 4, 2012 at 10:00am

Ignorance alert! I've never heard of a raw shrimp method, but I'm sure it will work. Will it be any faster, I don't think so. Cycling is the process by which bacteria turn ammonia to ammonium to nitrite to nitrate. I don't think it matters whether that ammonia comes from shrimp or fish food or pure ammonia.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Don Mattingly on February 7, 2012 at 5:14pm

Update:

On using a raw shrimp to cycle a freshwater tank....FORGET ABOUT IT!!!!

Ahh...another life lesson learned. If you can stand the smell, it probably works, cause my ammonia level is steadily climbing...however...on to Plan B....whatever that is. Any suggestions??