Another Shrimp?

[zackish]

I am currently cycling my tank and I am using the fishless cocktail shrimp method. I just tested my water and I am still in my nitrite spike at about 2.0 ppm maybe a little more. I then tested my ammonia and I am at 0 ppm.....should I add another shrimp to put ammonia into the tank and take the old one out?

Also, is the 2.0 ppm as my nitrites a good reading for the "spike"?

[hungryhound]

I am currently cycling my tank and I am using the fishless cocktail shrimp method. I just tested my water and I am still in my nitrite spike at about 2.0 ppm maybe a little more. I then tested my ammonia and I am at 0 ppm.....should I add another shrimp to put ammonia into the tank and take the old one out?

Also, is the 2.0 ppm as my nitrites a good reading for the "spike"?


I believe that you are fine with your current configuration. the Shrimp should still be leaching ammonia into the tank, but the bacteria is covnerting it to nitrites. Once your Get 0 ammonia, 0 nitirtes and some nitrates you are done.

I wouldn't add another shrimp.

[zackish]

I believe that you are fine with your current configuration. the Shrimp should still be leaching ammonia into the tank, but the bacteria is covnerting it to nitrites. Once your Get 0 ammonia, 0 nitirtes and some nitrates you are done.

I wouldn't add another shrimp.

O, I asked because I heard from someone that I should just to keep it at that 2-5 level even if it's a little lower the bacteria will have something to munch on.

[hungryhound]

O, I asked because I heard from someone that I should just to keep it at that 2-5 level even if it's a little lower the bacteria will have something to munch on.

Well you still have one shrimp in the tank which is still giving off ammonia to teh bacteria that they are turning into nitrites. You just don't see any ammonia because your ammonia and nitrifying bacteria are at an equilibrium. If you add more shrimp you will tip this balance in favor of the ammonia and end up prolonging your cycle.

Don't worry, there is still ammonia being produced, but your wonderful bacteria are eating it as fast as they can. Soon your other bacteria will be at an equilibrium and your cycle will be complete.

[gm72]

Agreed with hungry. The 2-5 ppm is only a starting point when you are beginning. Your bacteria culture is keeping the ammonia in check just like it should!

[zackish]

O shit, well I added another shrimp yesturday and I tested my water this morning and it's still the same as it was yesturday,(close to 0) should I just leave the shrimp there or take it out?

[Chrona]

O shit, well I added another shrimp yesturday and I tested my water this morning and it's still the same as it was yesturday,(close to 0) should I just leave the shrimp there or take it out?

Just leave it in. Again, it's not an exact science.

[gm72]

Agreed. Get some ammonia in there. The newly added shrimp wouldn't have started decomposing that fast. That's why I like adding drops of ammonia because I can control that. Decaying shrimp can't be controlled. But I'm a freak, so I'll leave it at that.

[cocoa_pleco]

im the same. i dislike the shrimp method. i sleep better at night with pure ammonia

[gm72]

Yes, its not an exact science, but the only way to truly understand what is going on in the tank chemistry is to add pure ammonia. Control is usually key.

[zackish]

Agreed. Get some ammonia in there. The newly added shrimp wouldn't have started decomposing that fast. That's why I like adding drops of ammonia because I can control that. Decaying shrimp can't be controlled. But I'm a freak, so I'll leave it at that.

So my cycle might not be done? The bacteria might have just decomposed that single shrimp?

[gm72]

Depends on what your nitrItes and nitrAtes are. Do a water test and let us know. The bacteria is not decomposing the shrimp. The bacteria we are talking about are turning the ammonia into nitrIte. A second type of bacteria is turning the nitrIte into nitrAte.

You will be done when you have ammonia and nitrIte at 0 and your nitrAtes at 20+.

[zackish]

ya I know how the bacteria works and as of last night i am at about .25 ammonia, 1 nitrite and 40 or more ppm of nitrates.
I am just gunna leave it a few more days but that is a big difference from ammonia 8+ nitrites 5 and no nitrates.
And I was also asking is the shrimp still giving off ammonia.

[Chrona]

ya I know how the bacteria works and as of last night i am at about .25 ammonia, 1 nitrite and 40 or more ppm of nitrates.
I am just gunna leave it a few more days but that is a big difference from ammonia 8+ nitrites 5 and no nitrates.
And I was also asking is the shrimp still giving off ammonia.

If you can still see it then yes.