Will these little buggers hold the cycle?

[fishlover49]

Will my 20 little shrimp hold the cycle okay on a 10-gallon tank? There are no fish in there right now. Thanks!

[Alfcea]

As long as you are feeding them, yes. They will eat and excrete nitrogenated waste... that will keep the cycle going!

[fishlover49]

Thanks! :ssmile:

[korith]

In a 10g you should be fine. In a larger tank, with just 20 shrimp who knows, they really have a very very low bioload.

[Obelisk]

As korith said, they do have a very low bioload. They themselves might not contribute much to the production of ammonia, but if there are some bacteria already present, then all you have to do is put food in there and the tank will cycle. The shrimps have probably dropped off bacteria in the tank that they were carrying with them. If you're asking if they'll survive the cycling, shrimps are more sensitive to ammonia that fish are.

[Wild Turkey]

The shrimps will use the amount of bacteria they need and no more. Any excess will die but the bacteria to keep the shrimp alive will remain. It just means if you want to add fish later, you will need to do it very slowly.

Cherries are sensitive to uncycled tanks and high nitrates.

[fishlover49]

Thanks everyone! My shrimp seem to be doing great so far. thumbs2:

[DrNic]

I have some shrimp heading my way this week and was going to ask the same question! Thanks for the info everyone!